A clock with a bird

Question

Zayd wants to set up a clock factory producing clocks of today’s new designs. The clock that Zayd wants to have made will contain a plastic bird, and the fitting will be such that when the hour strikes, the bird will come out from inside and the sound of the chime will come from its mouth; and after the chime, a little door will open by itself, the bird will go inside, and the door will close. So is making this clock with an image, or setting up a factory for it, permissible according to the Shari‘a?

Answer

Making a picture of an animate being is impermissible in any case; this ruling concerns the making. But since the purpose is not this bird — rather, the purpose is to know the time, for which there are the clock’s parts and machinery — these are permissible in the Shari‘a, and their sale is also permissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.