Ruling on making partial image in cases of necessity

It
is clear that image-making is one of the blameworthy actions of the
jaahiliyyah which Islam came to oppose. It is well established from
clear, saheeh mutawaatir ahaadeeth that it is not allowed, and that
the one who does this is cursed and is warned of torment in Hell, as
in the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas which is attributed to the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Every image maker will
be in Hell, and a soul will be given to every image which he made so
that it might torment him in Hell.” (Narrated by Muslim).

 This
applies to all images of animate created beings, humans and others.
There is no difference between three-dimensional and other images, whether
they were taken with cameras or produced by painting, engraving or other
methods, because of the general meaning of the ahaadeeth. 

Whoever
claims that photographs are not included in the general prohibition
or that the prohibition applies only to three-dimensional images and
those that cast a shadow is making a false claim, because the ahaadeeth
concerning that are general in meaning. There is no differentiation
between one kind of image and another. The scholars have clearly stated
that the prohibition applies to photographs and other kinds of pictures,
such as Imaam al-Nawawi, al-Haafiz ibn Hajar and others. The hadeeth
of ‘Aa’ishah concerning the story of the curtain is clear, and what
it indicates is that an image which is on a curtain is not three dimensional,
rather it is a kind of drawing on cloth, but despite that the Messenger

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) counted it as trying to
match the creation of Allaah.

 But
if the image is originally incomplete, such as a head-and-shoulders
picture, etc., and there is removed from the picture that without which
is could not live, then it may be understood from the comments of many
of the fuqahaa’ that this is permissible, especially if there is a need
for such partial pictures. Whatever the case, one has to fear Allaah
as much as one can, and avoid that which Allaah and His Messenger have
forbidden.

“And
whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way
for him to get out (from every difficulty).

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could
imagine”

[al-Talaaq 65:2-3 – interpretation of the meaning]