of what we have been provided, [that we should] cover the walls (48). If this is established, then covering the walls is disliked (makruh) but not forbidden (muharram). This is the school of al-Shafi'i, as no evidence has been established for its prohibition; indeed, Ibn 'Umar did it, and it was done during the time of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. It is only disliked because of the extravagance it entails, like excess in clothing and [extravagance in food] (49). It has been said: It is forbidden due to the prohibition against it. The former [view] is more appropriate, for the prohibition has not been established, and even if it were established, it would be interpreted (50) as dislike, for the reasons we mentioned.
Section: Ahmad was asked about curtains that have the Qur'an on them. He said: "It is not appropriate for anything on which the Qur'an is hung to be treated with disdain or used to wipe things." It was said to him: "Should it be removed?" He disliked removing the Qur'an and said: "If it is a curtain on which the mention of Allah Almighty is written, there is no harm in it (51)." He disliked purchasing a garment on which there is the mention of Allah, from what is sat upon or trampled underfoot.
Section: Abu 'Abd Allah was asked: "A man rents a house in which there are images; do you think he should scrape them off?" He said: "Yes." Al-Marrudhi said: "I said to Abu 'Abd Allah: I entered a bathhouse and saw an image; do you think I should scrape off the head?" He said: "Yes." This is only permissible because taking an image is a reprehensible act (munkar), so it is permissible to alter it, like musical instruments, the cross, and idols. One should destroy the part of it that removes it from the status of an image, such as the head or similar, because that is sufficient. Ahmad said: "There is no harm in dolls, provided they are not images," due to what was narrated from 'A'ishah, who said: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) entered upon me while I was playing with dolls, and he said: 'What is this, O 'A'ishah?' I said: 'These are the horses of Solomon.' So he began to laugh." [Recorded by Muslim similarly] (52).
Section: The duff (hand drum) is not reprehensible (munkar), due to the hadiths we mentioned regarding it, and the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded it in
(48) See what was previously cited regarding 'A'ishah on page 200, and al-Musnad 6/247. (49) In the original, B, and M: "and food". (50) In A, B, and M: "to be interpreted". (51) Omitted from: The Original. (52) Omitted from: The Original. It was recorded by Muslim in: The Chapter on the virtue of 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, from the Book of the Virtues of the Companions. Sahih Muslim 4/1890-1891. It was also recorded by Abu Dawud in: The Chapter on playing with young girls, from the Book of Etiquette (Adab). Sunan Abi Dawud 2/581.
