Is a teddy a problem - advice from Muslim mumsnetters please!

[Teddyhelp]

I ordered some flowers for a Muslim colleague who has just had a baby. I saw you could add a lovely stuffed bunny so I added that to the order. A bit later, I suddenly had a thought that this might not be okay so I googled it and it might not. I'm on hold trying to cancel the order but can anyone advise me if this will be completely unacceptable if the order gets delivered??? Causing any offence is the last thing I want to do. Thank you

Oh. Interesting question.

The Muslims I know would take it in the spirit it was intended though

I think toys for children are OK but not "ornaments" for adults?

Totally fine.

Not Muslim, but have have Muslim family.

I believe (could be wrong) that teddies used by children as toys are acceptable

They’re fine for children I believe.

So if you have a treasured childhood toy what happens when you reach adulthood? It's all very interesting.

Why would they mind? I don't get it.

@WhiskyXray

Why would they mind? I don't get it.

I haven’t heard this either, would someone possible mind explaining?

Teddies are fine imo. Some schools of Islamic practice might disagree, but I think you should be safe with a teddy. Even if the recipient does have a different view, I'd hope that they would accept and be grateful for the gift in the spirit with which it was given.

I already have soft toys for my little one and they aren't born yet!

Totally fine. The only Muslims I know who have a problem with this sort of thing follow the hard line school of thought favoured by angry old men in the Middle East who interpret everything as sinful. You probably wouldn't be sending someone like that flowers and a gift anyway!

Totally fine. No one in my Muslim family would even consider batting an eyelid!

I believe it's a prohibition against images of things made by god. So patterns are great, Persian rugs, paintings are not.

But it's a pretty sectarian thing, I believe. Not mainstream in the U.K., at least.

I'm not going to try and explain the teachings, but images of God's creations are forbidden. You don't find animal or human statues or pictures in Muslim art. It's all abstract.

Hi OP. I’m Muslim and I can tell you that the teddy will be fine and will be much appreciated by your colleague. I wish I had colleagues as nice as you!

For previous posters asking, majority of Muslims do not like to have pictures or images of animate beings in their homes etc, this is because of many prohibitions dealing with drawings or images of faces etc, it’s just something that traditionally Muslims don’t do/like. It all goes back to the idea of not knowing what God/angels/Prophets look like. It’s why traditional Islamic art is usually made up of calligraphy and geometric patterns.

However when it comes to kids toys etc there is no issue.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniconisminn_Islam

There's also a flaw deliberately woven into carpets and other patterned things, as it would be hubris to attempt to create perfection.

@WhiskyXray @ShirleyPhallus

In Islam, there's guidance to avoid idolatry and to try to avoid making depictions of living beings - one of the reasons why a lot of Islamic art is based on geometric patterns rather than pictures of people. Different schools of thought and practice exist, with different views on how far this should apply. Some people, for example, might avoid wearing clothes with pictures of people on them or having ornaments or paintings of people up on their walls or shelves at home. Some scholars have debated whether this should extend to things like children's toys (eg. dolls and, more rarely, soft toys). So, there are some scholars who hold the view that any toy that is based upon a living creature should not be accepted for play in a Muslim household - it's not a particularly mainstream view though and most people I know who are Muslim and have children are quite comfortable for their children to play with toys including dolls, teddies, etc. It's unlikely to be a problem.

I’m Muslim and I’d say it’s fine. Every Muslim friend and family member I know has got teddies for children as gifts etc

Thank you @Scirocco, much appreciated

@Noorandapples

Totally fine. The only Muslims I know who have a problem with this sort of thing follow the hard line school of thought favoured by angry old men in the Middle East who interpret everything as sinful. You probably wouldn't be sending someone like that flowers and a gift anyway!

Maybe we should send gifts to the angry old men to see if we can help them be less angry - everyone can benefit from a snuggly soft toy.

Thanks, @Elopelo and @picklemewalnuts.

That's interesting about the intentional flaw- I believe the Japanese have a similar notion. And I have a Greek Orthodox Christian friend who explains away his many foibles, particularly his chronic lateness, in a similar fashion- perfection being solely for the gods.

Thanks to you too, @Scirocco!

I think plushies for grumpy gits is probably a winning idea.

@Elopelo

Hi OP. I’m Muslim and I can tell you that the teddy will be fine and will be much appreciated by your colleague. I wish I had colleagues as nice as you!

For previous posters asking, majority of Muslims do not like to have pictures or images of animate beings in their homes etc, this is because of many prohibitions dealing with drawings or images of faces etc, it’s just something that traditionally Muslims don’t do/like. It all goes back to the idea of not knowing what God/angels/Prophets look like. It’s why traditional Islamic art is usually made up of calligraphy and geometric patterns.

However when it comes to kids toys etc there is no issue.

Wow that’s interesting. Dh is an Arab Muslim and his family and friends certainly aren’t like that.

My ddil is Turkish/Muslim and my granddaughter was given lots of soft toys by her Turkish and British relatives. They lived in Turkey and there were many such toys teddies, rabbits etc in the shops.

It is absolutely fine, don’t even give it another thought. Its a lovely gesture and No muslim I know would even make such a connection!