Why are depictions of Muhammad blasphemy?

I just don't want the answer "Because the it says so it in the Qur'an."  I want to know they decided to make it blasphemy to depict pictures of Muhammad.

He was really self-conscious

Because a picture couldn't fully depict his glory and is therefore blasphemous? Just a guess.

Because much like other religions they didn't want their people to worship 'false idols', there were fears that the followers may worship the image, and not what it represents.
 
also it doesn't say it in the qu'ran, but accompanying literature from about the same time.

In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship.
 
That's how I've understood it, at least.

" In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship. That's how I've understood it, at least. "

My problem is if they never drew any pictures of him in the first place because they were forbidden, how do they know what he looked like?
By the logic they're following I could draw bugs bunny, call it Muhammad and they could be offened by it.

" In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship. That's how I've understood it, at least. "

" come on, haven't you ever known someone who hated having his picture taken? "

" My problem is if they never drew any pictures of him in the first place because they were forbidden, how do they know what he looked like? By the logic they're following I could draw bugs bunny, call it Muhammad and they could be offened by it. "

" @Icemael said:

" In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship. That's how I've understood it, at least. "

Not quite.  Muslims have a great deal of respect for Muhammad.  The two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are where Muhammad was born and buried respectfully. "

" @Godwind said:

" @Icemael said:

" In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship. That's how I've understood it, at least. "

Not quite.  Muslims have a great deal of respect for Muhammad.  The two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are where Muhammad was born and buried respectfully. "

respect, not worship. and weren't those two holy purely because of what Muhammed DID in the cities, not because of the born and buried thing? I recall him having the first vision in a cave near one of those cities. Although I'm definitely not sure. "

Heres the wikipedia page about the subject.

" Because a picture couldn't fully depict his glory and is therefore blasphemous? Just a guess. "

" @Laketown said:

" @Godwind said:

" @Icemael said:

" In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship. That's how I've understood it, at least. "

Not quite.  Muslims have a great deal of respect for Muhammad.  The two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are where Muhammad was born and buried respectfully. "

respect, not worship. and weren't those two holy purely because of what Muhammed DID in the cities, not because of the born and buried thing? I recall him having the first vision in a cave near one of those cities. Although I'm definitely not sure. "

Yeah, pretty much this. They have incredible respect for him, of course, but they don't worship him. He's not the Jesus or Buddha-like figure non-muslims often make him out to be. "

 I think the huge disconnect for a lot of people are all the, "do this and you will burn forever", portions in the bible. You want rules about committing blasphemous acts? Sins? Look no further, this book has it all.
 
Of course, we don't go after people in mobs for not attending church on Sunday. We have are right wing zealots, some of which have committed crimes in the name of their respective religion. I guess there's a severe lack of moderate voices in the Islamic faith? Those that can say it's in promptly in bad taste, and then move on with their lives. Regardless, such anger over something so small seems pretty ridiculous.  
 
Wasn't there another thread on this?

According to the Seattle Times, the hadith rules that forbid the drawing of Muhammed also forbid the drawing of any living creature, as it "presumes that man has the same creative power as God."

" @Icemael said:

" @Laketown said:

" @Godwind said:

" @Icemael said:

" In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship. That's how I've understood it, at least. "

Not quite.  Muslims have a great deal of respect for Muhammad.  The two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are where Muhammad was born and buried respectfully. "

respect, not worship. and weren't those two holy purely because of what Muhammed DID in the cities, not because of the born and buried thing? I recall him having the first vision in a cave near one of those cities. Although I'm definitely not sure. "

Yeah, pretty much this. They have incredible respect for him, of course, but they don't worship him. He's not the Jesus or Buddha-like figure non-muslims often make him out to be. "

But wait, that doesn't explain why they get pissed over ANY picture of Muhammad, especially those by non-Muslims. Doesn't getting pissed over such depictions at least resemble idolizing him, even if nobody on either side is doing it? "

My limited understand is that only Muslims are truly expected not to depict  the prophet, Muhammad (distinction; there are a blajullion Muhammad's, and plenty of whom have been depicted). And from my personal experience of seeing how various Jesi are flaunted about, I can understand why a religion would instil such a rule.

As for the extreme reactions to a Westerner's depiction of him, well, they're extremists.  
Not to mention it's rude to just want to depict him to spite a people. But taboos are always fun for a while, so here we are.

Because it's all made up?

" Because a picture couldn't fully depict his glory and is therefore blasphemous? Just a guess. "

Because he's Amish

who said it's blasphemous ? it was just a disrespect for a much respected person on earth for muslims . Many Muslims felt offended because it's in the religion of Islam to love Allah and prophet Muhammad unconditionally . Muslims remember Allah and Muhammad every day by reciting verses from Quran and and some Hadith DAILY. You could imagine the level of spirituality in that.

Muslims are children living in the dark ages.

Because he's ugly and looks like a child rapist. The muslims don't want the world to find that out I guess.

I'm not entirely sure why it's considered totally blasphemous but I've always felt it was because the faith hoped for you to see yourself in Mohamed's position. Kinda like a nameless protagonist

" In Islam, idolatry is an unforgivable sin. The reason depicting Muhammad is forbidden is that Islam is about God; Muhammad was just his conduit, and depicting him would be misleading as he isn't and should in no way be a subject of worship. That's how I've understood it, at least. "

" Muslims are children living in the dark ages. "

This thread is full of so much high horse predjudice bullshit its baffling.

Spoilers: they aren't.

" @HandsomeDead said:

" Muslims are children living in the dark ages. "

yep and it totally wasn't the western world's fault... "

" @Laketown said:

" @HandsomeDead said:

" Muslims are children living in the dark ages. "

yep and it totally wasn't the western world's fault... "

Nothing worse than white guilt. "

" @HandsomeDead said:

" @Laketown said:

" @HandsomeDead said:

" Muslims are children living in the dark ages. "

yep and it totally wasn't the western world's fault... "

Nothing worse than white guilt. "

well us and the mongols I suppose, but still "

"

This thread is full of so much high horse predjudice bullshit its baffling.

"

Maybe Whiskey Media should go make a prayed.com, cuz you guys sure do love to talk about religion.

Because now people in Pakistan can't use youtube and facebook.

It is against some Muslim rule. It says about not having any imagery of the Prophet in their religion, as it is blasphemous to do so. Kinda like in Christianity, with the commandment of 'Thou shalt not worship any false idols'. Personally, I don't mind if the Muslims don't want their Prophet shown. Fine with me, but getting South Park censored might be a little unfair. Surely they could have given that episode a miss and let everyone else enjoy it? Eh, whatever.

I forgot all about this. Oops.

I don't know; I find a lot of Islam ridiculous and maybe even a little stupid. Not saying the religion is stupid, though.

"

Maybe Whiskey Media should go make a prayed.com, cuz you guys sure do love to talk about religion.

"

" @ThatFrood said:

"

Maybe Whiskey Media should go make a prayed.com, cuz you guys sure do love to talk about religion.

"

Your idea is genius. "

Because no one knows what he looks like, because he never existed. 

" Because no one knows what he looks like, because he never existed.  "

Because people are overly sensitive about their fictional characters.