Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
According to many Islamic scholars, it is halal to make a birthday cake shaped like Kobito characters. Since Kobito are fictional, non-human beings and the cake is edible and not permanent, it does not fall under the traditional prohibition of image-making. The key factors are intent, form, and the absence of veneration or imitation of real people.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
What Are Kobito Characters?
Yes, it is permissible to make a birthday cake featuring the Japanese “Kobito” characters. These figures are entirely fictional and do not represent real humans or honored beings.
Islamic View on Creating Images and Figures
In Islamic jurisprudence, the creation of images (Taswir) has been a subject of scholarly debate, particularly due to prophetic hadiths that prohibit image-making. However, many contemporary scholars differentiate rulings based on factors such as the image’s purpose, its form, and its permanence.
Are Edible Character Cakes Treated Differently?
Edible figures—especially those that are whimsical and consumed, such as unicorns, dragons, or Kobito—are often treated with greater leniency.
Does Kobito Cake Imitate or Venerate Real Humans?
Since Kobito characters are mythical, non-human entities, designing a cake for decoration and celebration purposes that includes their likeness is generally deemed permissible. The absence of any intent to venerate or imitate real individuals—especially prophets or revered figures—further supports this permissibility. Additionally, because such cakes are eaten, the concern about permanence, which is central to stricter views, is mitigated.
Conclusion: Permissibility of Kobito-Themed Cakes in Islam
Many reputable scholars agree that Kobito-themed cakes are allowed in Islam. The figures should represent fictional, non-human characters, with no intention of honor or long-term preservation. When these conditions are met, such cakes are not only permissible but fall within the realm of acceptable celebratory customs.
These fatwas address the issue of images and pictures in more detail:
- Is Sharing Game Images Halal?
- Do Angels Enter a House with Picture?
- Can You Pray in a Room with Pictures or Statues?
- Is It Haram to Wear Shirts with Pictures?
- Is It Haram to Keep Wedding Pictures in Islam?
- Is Drawing Cartoons Haram in Islam?
- Can Muslims Use Products with Santa Claus Images?
Almighty Allah knows best.