Question Summary:
I would like to know if it is allowed for one to study animation, I am a graphic designer, however, I try not to do animate objects,

Question Detail:

I would like to know if it is allowed for one to study animation, I am a graphic designer, however, I try not to do animate objects, if I do study animation(3d graphics) I will not animate things like faces and eyes. I know that we will be required to breathe life into the animate objects we draw, thats why I would rather ask someone knowledgeable before I commit myself to sin.
Please help me with this as I am at a crossraods in my career.

Answer :

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh
Drawing, art, painting, etc, are not forbidden in Shariah. What makes them lawful and unlawful, is the purpose that they are used for.
Aapke Masaail aur Unka Hal Vol:7 Pg:66 (Maktabah Ludhyanwi)
 
Similarly, animation (3d graphics) in itself is not forbidden; but if it is used in making animate objects, then it will not be permissible, especially since there are extremely severe warnings in Ahadith regarding picture making.
 
1) It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Those who make pictures will be punished on the day of judgment. It will be said to them: Bring to life what you have created!” (Hadith: 5501)
عن نافع أن ابن عمر أخبره أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الذين يصنعون الصور يعذبون يوم القيامة يقال لهم أحيوا ما خلقتم.
 
2) It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood (Radhiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Judgment are those who make pictures (of animate objects)”. (Hadith:5505)
عن مسلم بن صبيح قال كنت مع مسروق في بيت فيه تماثيل مريم فقال مسروق هذا تماثيل كسرى فقلت لا هذا تماثيل مريم فقال مسروق أما إني سمعت عبد الله بن مسعود يقول قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة المصورون
 
3) It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbaas (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam) said, “Every person who creates pictures of animate objects will be in the fire of Hell. Every picture that he created will be given a life and will punish him in Jahannum”. (Hadith: 5506)
عن سعيد بن أبي الحسن قال جاء رجل إلى ابن عباس فقال إني رجل أصور هذه الصور فأفتني فيها فقال له ادن مني فدنا منه ثم قال ادن مني فدنا حتى وضع يده على رأسه قال أنبئك بما سمعت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول كل مصور في النار يجعل له بكل صورة صورها نفسا فتعذبه في جهنم.
 
4) It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbaas (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam) said, “Whoever produces a picture (of an animate object) in this world will be forced to bring it to life on the Day of Judgment but he will be unable to do so”. (Hadith: 5507)
عن النضر بن أنس بن مالك قال كنت جالسا عند ابن عباس فجعل يفتي ولا يقول قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى سأله رجل فقال إني رجل أصور هذه الصور فقال له ابن عباس ادنه فدنا الرجل فقال ابن عباس سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول من صور صورة في الدنيا كلف أن ينفخ فيها الروح يوم القيامة وليس بنافخ.
 
Ref: Sahih Al Muslim Vol:14 Pg:317-319 ( Darul Ma’rifah):
 
The severity of the sin of making pictures is evident from the abovementioned Ahadith. Therefore, although it is permissible to study animation, one should take extreme precaution in avoiding the creation of pictures.
 
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. M. Jawed Iqbal,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah