Why do Muslim and Jewish pilgrimage sites generally avoid images of divinity?

In both Jewish and Muslim traditions, the avoidance of images of divinity at pilgrimage sites is rooted in the principle of aniconism, which opposes the use of icons or visual representations of religious figures to prevent idolatry.123

For Jews, this practice is historically informed by the biblical Second Commandment, which prohibits the creation of "graven images" or likenesses as a protection against the worship of physical objects.1

In Islam, while the Qur'an does not explicitly forbid the representation of living things, a formal prohibition emerged by the mid-8th century. This doctrine is grounded in the belief that creating images of living beings is an act of competition with God, who alone is the creator of life. Consequently, Islamic religious art emphasizes calligraphy and abstract forms rather than figural imagery.45

Ultimately, both traditions prioritize a focus on the transcendent nature of the divine, viewing the use of iconic representations as inconsistent with their strict monotheism.24