Is making pictures shirk?

We have already discussed the ruling on
making photographic images with a camera. You can refer to questions nos. 13633,
10668, 7918. 

With regard to the question of whether making
pictures is shirk: 

The answer is that it is not shirk, but it
may be a means that leads to shirk or associating others with Allaah, especially if the picture is of someone who is venerated by the people, such
as scholars, righteous people and rulers. The first case of shirk among mankind was through images and statues. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas
(may Allaah be pleased with him) said, concerning the verse in which Allaah says of the people of Nooh (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And they have said: ‘You shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, nor
Suwaa‘, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya‘ooq nor Nasr’ (these are the names of their idols)”

[Nooh 71:23]

 – These were the names of righteous men
among the people of Nooh; when they died, the Shaytaan inspired their people to set up stone altars in the places where they used to sit, and call
them by their names. So they did that, but they were not worshipped until those people died and knowledge was lost, then they were worshipped. 

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4920. 

We have already discussed this matter in
detail. See Question no. 7222. 

And Allaah knows best.