Question

He is asking about dolls and three-dimensional toys, and whether that affects his fast

Iam working in a toy shop we also sell dolls and human shaped toys ,what is the ruling on this? and is it permissible for me to open my fast later cause of my work?.
Answer
Answer
Praise be to Allaah.    

 

We have already explained that it is haraam to make images and statues (question no. 7222) and that it is haraam to buy and sell them (question no. 49676

But if these images and dolls are toys for children, the Sunnah indicates that they are permissible. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and I had female friends who would play with me…” al-Bukhaari, 6130; Muslim, 2440. 

Ibn Hajar said: This hadeeth indicates that it is permissible to have images of girls (i.e., dolls) and toys for girls to play with. This is an exception from the general meaning of the prohibition on having images. This was stated by ‘Iyaad and was narrated from the majority. They permitted the sale of dolls to girls so as to teach them from a young age how to take care of their homes and children. Ibn Hibbaan stated that it is permissible for young girls to play with toys… According to a report narrated by Jareer from Hishaam: “I used to play with dolls.” Narrated by Abu ‘Awaanah and others. Abu Dawood and al-Nasaa’i narrated from ‘Aa’ishah with a different isnaad that she said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came from the campaign of Tabook or Khaybar…” and he mentioned the hadeeth about the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) tearing down the curtain on which there were images, that ‘Aa’ishah had put over her door. She said: And he uncovered the niche in which were dolls that ‘Aa’ishah used to play with. He said: “What is this, O ‘Aa’ishah?” She said: “My daughters (i.e., dolls).” She said: And he saw among them a horse with two wings tied to it and said: “What is this?” I said: “A horse.” He said:  “A horse with two wings?” I said: “Have you not heard that Sulaymaan had horses with wings?” and he smiled. 

The report mentioned by Ibn Hajar was narrated by Abu Dawood, no. 22813; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Ghaayat al-Maraam, 129. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

With regard to that which does not have complete features and just has some limbs and a head, there is no doubt that this is permissible and that it comes under the same heading as the dolls with which ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) used to play.  

As for that which has complete features, as if you were looking at a person, especially if it can move or has a voice, then I feel hesitant to say that this is permissible, because it is imitating the creation of Allaah. It seems that the toys that ‘Aa’ishah used to play with were not like this, so it is better to avoid them. But I do not say that it is definitely haraam, because concessions may be granted to young children that are not granted to adults in such matters, because it is the natural inclination of young children to play and have fun and they are not obliged to do acts of worship so that we could say that a child is wasting his time with this play. But if a person wants to be on the safe side, let him remove the head or hold it over the fire so that it becomes soft, then he can press it so that the features disappear. 

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh, 2/277-278. 

With regard to the questioner’s asking whether it is permissible to start fasting later on of this work, we do not understand exactly what he means. If he means that this work invalidates his fast and what is prescribed is to make up the fast later on, then he should not work in this haraam job. We have already explained that all sins affect the fast and reduce the reward, and may cancel out the reward altogether, if he does a lot of sins, but that does not invalidate the fast and he is not commanded to make it up. Rather he should refrain from committing these sins at all times, especially in Ramadaan. See question no. 37877and 37989

If the question means something else, then we hope that he will explain it so that we can answer.

Islam Q&A