Question Summary:
Is drawing cartoons impermissible?

Question Detail:

 
I used to draw batman comics. When I heard drawing animate objects was haram I stopped and repented.  I don't sell the comics, I keep them at home. Since I draw them as a hobby, I'm 15. Is drawing cartoons haram, or does the ruling only apply to portaits of humans?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
Drawing pictures of animate objects is impermissible and falls under the severe warning mentioned in the Hadith of Rasūlullāh (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam):
أشد الناس عذابا عند الله المصورون
Translation: “The most severely punished of people in the presence of Allah are the picture-makers.” (Bukhārī and Muslim, Mishkāt al-Masābīh, 4495)
Therefore, if the cartoons you are drawing consist only of non-animate objects(trees and rivers etc.), then it will be permissible. However, if your drawings contain any animate objects (people and animals etc.), then such cartoon drawings will be impermissible. [1]
Also, you mentioned that you possess cartoons of the batman comics in your house. The angels of mercy do not enter a house that contains images of animate objects. Nabi (Sallāhu Alaihi Wasallam) has mentioned:
 
لا تدخل الملائكة بيتا فيه كلب ولا تصاوير
“The angels [of mercy] do not enter a house in which there is a dog, nor [do they enter a house in which there are] pictures.” (Bukhārī and Muslim, Mishkāt al-Masābīh, 4489)
 
 
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Saleem Khan
Student Darul Iftaa
Bradford, UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net