Salam alaikum

 

1- Many scholars look at pictures in the direct reference mentioned in the Hadiths that if interpreted literally it will mean total prohibition. The Hadiths like when the prophet (peace be upon him) told Ali (May Allah be pleased with him): “do not leave a picture but destroy it” or the one that when the prophet (peace be upon him) came by `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) and saw some curtains with pictures on it he said: “people of these pictures would be punished on the Day of Judgment.”

 

I personally believe that the prophet (peace be upon him) was referring to the term pictures as entities that were worshiped along with God, and second to the fresh status of Muslims who used to worship pictures and now became Muslims.

 

In that context, I see that prohibition was based on such reason. But now when Muslims have clear idea about pictures as just art work with no intention of worship, I do not see an issue in that at all.

 

In conclusion, if you wish not to put it to be just extra safe from any doubts, indeed it is better. But if you put pictures of people or animals with no divine or sacred assumption to them, then it should be fine.

 

2- The same answer to question #1 would be for this one two, meaning that I do not see any haram in wall art. If you decide to avoid it just for any doubts that it will always make you feel uncomfortable about it, then better not to do it.