Does the Qur'an explicitly forbid images of living things?

The Qur'an does not contain an explicit prohibition against the representation of living things. While aniconism—the opposition to visual images of living creatures—became a significant principle in many Islamic artistic traditions, this stance is not derived from a direct Qur'anic commandment.123

Instead, the ideological basis for aniconism largely stems from traditions ascribed to the Prophet Muhammad, which suggest that those who create likenesses of living beings attempt to rival God, the sole author of life. In the early, puritanical milieu of Islam, aesthetic and visual questions were not addressed, and the Qur'an itself does not define a specific attitude toward images.31

Over time, the interpretation of these principles varied significantly across different dynasties and regions, with representational art being strictly forbidden in some areas while being tolerated or even encouraged in others, particularly within private settings or as ornamental design.23