Islamic Depictions of Mohammed with Face Hidden


In order to sidestep the prohibition against actually depicting Mohammed, artists in Muslim societies sometimes showed him with his face blank or hidden. This way it could be claimed that they never actually drew Mohammed -- only his clothes.

(Note: Several art historians and scholars have written in to say that some of the faceless Mohammeds shown here were likely to have been originally drawn with faces that were later scratched out.)


The Prophet Mohammed in a Mosque. Turkey, 16th century, painting on paper. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The artist depicted Mohammed in very long sleeves so as to avoid showing his hands, though his neck and hints of his features are visible.
(Hat tip: Brett K.)


This is a miniature from Siyer-i Nebi, a Turkish religious biography of Mohammed completed in 1388 and later lavishly illustrated with 814 miniatures under the reign of Ottoman ruler Murad III, being completed in 1595. Many of the miniatures depict Mohammed, and this particular one shows Ali bin Abu Taleb beheading Nasr bin al-Hareth in the presence of Mohammed and his companions.


Newly born Mohammed in his mother's arms being shown to his grandfather and Meccans. From a Turkish book illustration (date unknown). University of California, San Diego.
(Hat tip: Brett K.)


Persian miniature from the mid-1500s depicting Mohammed ascending to paradise astride the miraculous horse Buraq, surrounded by angels. In Islamic lore, this event is called the "miraj," or the Night Journey.


Mohammad (head engulfed in sacred fire) returning from the Miraj. Persian. Date unknown.


Islamic image of the Koran being revealed to Mohammed during a battle. Source unknown.


The Angel Gabriel cleansing Mohammed's heart of impurities in preparation for his ascent to heaven, while the other angels watch. From the 16th-century manuscript The Progress of the Prophet, from Turkey. Image taken from this site which not only features other images of Mohammed but also has a very informative essay about the folkloric and mythological origins of the "miraj," which is not actually described in the Koran.


Another image of Mohammed riding Buraq up to heaven. Provenance unknown; taken from the same site as above.


Allegorical scene of Mohammed riding Buraq during his "Night Voyage." Origin unknown.


Mohammed at the Kaaba. Miniature from the Ottoman Empire, c. 1595. In The Topkapi Museum, Istanbul.
(Hat tip: Jos.)



Mohammed with the Angel Gabriel. Miniature from the Ottoman Empire, c. 1595. In The Topkapi Museum, Istanbul.
(Hat tip: Jos.)



Mohammed praying at the Kaaba in Mecca. Turkish miniature from the Ottoman Empire; date unknown.
(Hat tip: S.)


The Angel Gabriel appearing to Mohammed, on Mount al-Noor (a hill near Mecca where Mohammed received his first visions; you can find it on this map of Mecca as "al-Nour," upper right). A miniature illustration from the biography of Mohammed entitled Siyar-i Nabi, by Ahmed Nur Ibn Mustafa, published in Turkey, 18th century. Currently in the collection of the New York Public Library.


The Ascent of Mohammed to heaven on Buraq. From a Persian manuscript, c. 1570. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. From the collection of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.
(Hat tip: Brett K.)


Mohammed (top, veiled) and the first four Caliphs. Original in the Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) in Vienna.


Mohammed enthroned in heaven, attended by angels. Likely Persian, but date and location unknown.


Mohammed (with face not visible) lying (possibly dead) in a grotto, with anachronistic Mongol warriors looking on.


Indian or Asian painting of Mohammed receiving visions.


Mohammed preaching. Origin unknown.
(Hat tip: S.)


Mohammed flying over Mecca during the miraj, his ascent to heaven. Turkey, early 17th century. From the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.


Mohammed ascending to Paradise.


Mohammed (face not visible) in an illustration of an episode from the Koran.


This photo, taken recently by Andrew Stern at the Al-Huda squatter's camp in Baghdad, shows Iraqi children with a poster that includes a portrait of Mohammed (at the lower left, with his face whited out). The large central figures depict the Fourth Caliph Ali. This poster proves that images of Mohammed (with his face hidden) are still being produced to this day in Shi'ite Muslim areas.
(hat tip: Rune)

Additional links to online images of Mohammed with his face hidden:
Ascent of the Prophet to Heaven. Persia, 1550.
(Another) Ascent of the Prophet to Heaven. Persia, 1550.
Muhammad on Buraq. Persia, mid-16th century.
Muhammad and Abu Bakr visit poor Bedouins.
Another picture of Mohammed on Buraq from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Four small reproductions of the faceless Mohammed can be found on this academic site.


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Other Archive Sections:
Islamic Depictions of Mohammed in Full
Islamic Depictions of Mohammed with Face Hidden
European Medieval and Renaissance Images
Miscellaneous Mohammed Images
Book Illustrations
Dante's Inferno
French Book Covers
Satirical Modern Cartoons
The Jyllands-Posten Cartoons
Recent Responses to the Controversy
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