Is painting allowed in Islam?

The muslim faith takes seriously God’s commandment at Mount Sinai: “Thou shalt not make any graven image for thyself”. Immediately after the prohibition the people made a Golden Calf for themselves, for which God made them wander in the desert for 40 years.

Therefore, faithful Muslims refrain from dipicting animals or people, because they think that it is the first step towards idolalotry (idol worship).

An interesting note: following the prohibition against the constuction of graven images (for worship), God commanded the people to constuct the ark of the covenant which had two cherabim (angels with man-like faces) on the lid. They were made out of solid gold.

By comparison, the Jews believe that when God allowed King Solomon to build the temple in Jerusalem, the sanctuary contained to bronze Cherabim with wings a hair’s width apart.

The Chirstians also believe that Jesus of Nazareth is fully God (Eternally begotten of the Father, begotten not made, one in being/essence/substance with God the Father). They claim that God himself took on human flesh for mankind, and therefore veneration (not worship) of an image/depiction is a form of veneration (giving honor) to the object it represents (in this case God the Son; see 2nd Council of Nicea DS 600-603).