Muslims ban depiction of prophet out of respect for him

The widespread prohibition in the Islamic world aganst depicting the Prophet Mohammed springs from a worry that even well-intentioned images could lead to idolatry or show disrespect for a figure Islam considers the model of human perfection.

Still, Islam’s holy book does not outright forbid such depiction, most clerics agree. Instead, the unwillingness to show his image stems from sayings of the Prophet and custom that has grown up over centuries, reaching the status of Sharia law in many Muslims’ minds.