Why are there no pictures of God? (Easy Read)

There are no pictures of God on this website.

In Islam, nothing in the world looks like God.

So there is nothing to draw.

The Qur'an says: "Naught is as His likeness" (Qur'an 42:11).

It also says that eyes cannot take God in (Qur'an 6:103).

Muslim artists write God's Names in beautiful handwriting instead.

This is called calligraphy (say: ka-LIG-ra-fee).

Artists also make patterns that go on and on.

They use light and empty space too.

We do not show pictures of any prophet (a person who brings a message from God).

We do not show pictures of Mary (peace be upon her).

Mary was the mother of Jesus (peace be upon him).

The Jewish Torah says: do not make a carved image (a statue to worship) (Exodus 20:4).

At Mount Sinai, the people heard a voice but saw no shape (Deuteronomy 4:12).

The Bible says: "No one has seen God at any time" (John 1:18).

Christians have different views about pictures.

Some churches have icons (holy paintings) of Jesus and the saints.

Many other churches have no pictures at all.

Most Christians do not make pictures of God the Father.

So where can we look?

The Qur'an says God shows His signs in the world and inside ourselves (Qur'an 41:53).

Rain, a bee or a galaxy can help us think about God.