Title: Regarding the Limits on Artistic Expressions Question: I am a student of twelfth grade and I am having trouble with my teachers due to clash between us on views on arts. I consider that any art form that is not immoral or leads to polytheism is allowed in ISLAM. But you see considering something obscene or immoral is very hard, because art forms such as photography may include materials, which may be considered obscene by some and not by others. Answer: I do agree with you that all art forms that do not promote polytheistic ideas or immorality cannot be termed as prohibited in Islam. As far as the fact that the judgment regarding obscenity or promotion of immorality can be subjective and therefore may vary from person to person is concerned, even if that is accepted to be the case, the deciding factor, in the absence of any limits specified by the state, would be the personal judgment of the artist. However, even though there may exist an area of subjectivity regarding what is moral or immoral, yet there also exists a vast area where the judgment is not as subjective as one might be tempted to believe that it is. 22 nd February 2000