a survey of prohibition of painting in islam

the proscription of illustration and painting in islam is a topic often discussed by researchers and art-ists. most orientalists have suggested that islam generally opposed art, especially painting and illustra-tion, thus resulting in a number of limitations. a survey of different prophetic sayings on this subject (hadith singular, hadis plural), verses of the qur'an, and artworks in the era of the caliphs has been pe-rused in this article. it seems that a core factor for the restriction was the possible reversion of newly converted muslims to polytheism and idolatry. this was a genuine concern in early islam. today it is generally unknown, unheard of or simply ignored in the world of islam. islam has not prohibited paint-ing rather it does emphasize beauty and aesthetics.