Title: Picture-making in the Mosaic Law Question: Whilst reading Maulana Maududis Tafheem ul-quran I came across a paragraph where Maulana Maududi describes picture making as being against the Mosaic Law. Is there any proof of this (or otherwise) that you may have found? That is, is there any proof that Moses regarded picture-making to be against God's directives? Mohammed Amjid Khan United Kingdom Answer: Mosaic Law, just as Islamic Law, is derived from more than one source. In this regard I have chosen to answer your question according to the highest authority of Mosaic Law which is contained in the Pentateuch. I would like to also mention that all the references I came across prohibiting creating images, in whatever medium, related to deifying the object. This is in harmony with Islamic doctrine as I understand it. Images are not to be consecrated; that is a grave sin in the monotheistic religions. Here are some references in the King James Version of the Old Testament. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them... (Exodus 20: 4 - 5) This is actually the Second Commandant in the Ten Commandments. Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 26: 1) Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. (Deuteronomy 4: 16) There are plenty of more references but I feel that this should be sufficient to answer your question. Keep in mind the concept of creating images deals with how and what you do with them. It is an absolute abomination to worship or glorify them in any way. This is clear directive of God. If you are interested in this area of religion I recommend that you refer to an encyclopedia of Judaism or maybe even speak to a rabbi, he might be able to find you some more references in the Talmudic traditions. I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best Ronnie Hassan February 25, 2003