The Ruling on Studying in the Masjid with Books that contain Pictures.

Question

Some students memorize their school lessons in the Masjid and they bring their books along with them. Is this permissible for them to do so, especially since there are pictures of humans and animals in the schoolbooks? Is there anything wrong with this?

Answer

There is no harm in reading and studying school lessons in the Masjid. However, it is obligatory to protect the Houses of Allah from harm, the raising of voices, and likewise, the entry of the foolish people and children who will not respect the Masjid carpeting, Masahif (books of Qur'an), walls and similar things. If there is safety from any harm then there is no prohibition from studying.

Concerning the lessons and pages that contain pictures of animals, it is no permissible to bring them into the Masjids, out of respect for the Houses of Allah, and keeping them free of pictures, which the angels flee from. Therefore, they (the students) should not bring these pictures with them or they should erase the picture of the animal or its head and whatever else would case the life in it to cease (i.e. make it no resemble a living creature.)


Shaikh ibn Jibreen

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 3 Pages 31-32