Cute or controversial? AI cartoon photos during Raya raise religious questions

SHAH ALAM – Everywhere on social media, people are uploading their festive Raya photos turned into adorable cartoon versions.

This 2025 Syawal trend, made possible through artificial intelligence (AI), allows photo edits to be done just for fun, right at our fingertips.

The most popular style is Japanese anime, proven to be cute and charming among those participating in these trends.

However, some AI-generated images do not resemble the originals, with added people or exaggerated expressions that alter the original context of the situation that is portrayed.

Amidst all the creativity and cuteness, questions arise about whether such practices are permissible in Islam.

Renowned preacher Azhar Idrus shared his thoughts on this issue and explained that the ruling on turning human images into cartoons depends on the intention and its effect on a person’s dignity.

If the image does not degrade the person’s dignity, status or honour, and even increases people’s love for the Hereafter, then it is permissible, Azhar said.

However, he stressed that certain situations could make it forbidden.

Renowned preacher Azhar Idrus shared his thoughts on the issue of generating cartoon-like AI images of humans and whether it is permissible in Islam.

“If it leads to insulting someone or lowering the honour of someone we should respect, then it is prohibited by Islamic law,” he said.

He also added that this ruling is not limited to images of religious figures or scholars but extends to one’s own family members.

“It’s not just about religious scholars. If we turn pictures of our own family into something disgraceful, then that too is forbidden,” he clarified.

If the edits are simply for light-hearted fun and do not compromise dignity, Azhar revealed that such actions are allowed.

“For example, if someone edits a photo of their child, family or friend from an office setting to appear like they’re on a snowy mountain, that’s fine.

“There’s no element of humiliation or disgrace, so it is permissible.

“However, if it reaches a level of insult, spreads publicly and causes embarrassment, then it is no different from backbiting,” he warned.

In addition to the cartoon photo issue, Azhar also commented on the practice of giving people certain nicknames, especially animal-related ones used in a derogatory manner.

He noted that calling someone an animal name can be permissible if it is meant to honour them, for instance, ‘lion king’ to indicate bravery or ‘oh eagle’ to describe agility.

“But it is absolutely not allowed to refer to someone using animals like ‘dog’ as an insult,” he said.