Photographs on books and goods kept for trade

Question

Question: Inside a house and a shop many books are kept, or other things that are sold in the shop — goods and the like — as well as household items that are in use. On these books and goods there are photographs, figures, forms and shapes and the like, which one is compelled to keep, and which one has to buy and sell. In such a case will the angel of mercy enter or not? And will (one) become deserving of sin or not?

Answer

If it is an image of an animate being, then it should be concealed by placing a book or the like over it; otherwise the angel of mercy will not come.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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