Is drawing Haram?

Wa alykum as-salaam,

I have a question, when Mansur ibn Ilyas did this:

What was the purpose behind his drawing a human figure?

Was he seeking to violate the restriction against creating pictures or statues to worship?

This is a medical illustration of the venous system, with some internal organs as well (I think) and the purpose of this drawing is to educate ourselves on this. Even though we have cameras, medical illustration is of critical importance for the study of medicine, the human anatomy, and other biological sciences, and they are all illustrations of living things: cells, muscle tissue, and humans.

So, are we talking about drawing as a whole? Clearly, we cannot maintain this as these medical illustrations are very important for us.

Furthermore, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Ali Gomaa writes, “there is no objection to drawing animates such as humans, animals and the like, whether from imagination, nature or photographs. There is no objection in Islamic law to pursuing this talent provided the drawings are void of anything prohibited and do not incite sexual desires.”

For the Grand Mufti’s entire opinion on the matter, where he cites the relevant scholarship and Hadith please click here, insha Allah.

I pray this reaches you and your families in the best of health and Iman, insha Allah.