Why are human and animal images usually absent from Islamic religious art?

The absence of human and animal images in much of Islamic religious art is rooted in the principle of aniconism, which is the religious opposition to the representation of living creatures.12

This practice is primarily guided by two theological considerations:

• Prevention of Idolatry: A core tenet of Islam is strict monotheism. The prohibition helps ensure that visual representations do not become objects of worship, which would be inconsistent with the belief that God is the sole object of devotion.3
• The Sanctity of Life: There is a widely held assumption that God is the exclusive author of life. Consequently, creating a likeness of a living being is viewed by many as an attempt to rival God’s creative power. A tradition attributed to the Prophet suggests that those who create such images will be challenged on the Day of Judgment to infuse them with life.2

While this principle has been influential, its application has varied historically across different regions and dynasties, sometimes being limited to public buildings or religious spaces while remaining more flexible in private or secular contexts.123