The proscription of illustration and painting in Islam is a topic often discussed by researchers and art-ists. Most orientalists have suggested that Islam generally opposed art, especially painting and illustra-tion, thus resulting in a number of limitations. A survey of different prophetic sayings on this subject (hadith singular, hadis plural), verses of the Qur'an, and artworks in the era of the caliphs has been pe-rused in this article. It seems that a core factor for the restriction was the possible reversion of newly converted Muslims to polytheism and idolatry. This was a genuine concern in early Islam. Today it is generally unknown, unheard of or simply ignored in the world of Islam. Islam has not prohibited paint-ing rather it does emphasize beauty and aesthetics.
