Amir Khan is a former British boxing world champion, who on 31 August 2024 took to his Twitter account to pose a question to his 2 million followers. He proceeded to state how he had been asked to stand for a waxwork figure for the famous Madame Tussauds museum, but his friend (who is also Muslim), suggested against him doing so.
Amir’s tweet reads “In 2010, I was invited to have a wax figure created of myself at Madame Tussauds in London. However, my friend Sajeed, who was working for my management company at the time, turned down the opportunity. He mentioned that, as Muslims, we should not create a duplicate representation of ourselves. Is there any validity to this belief, or was he simply being negative?”.
At Madame Tussauds, celebrities who reach peak fame get immortalised through wax, and the public can tour the museum to see some of their favourite well known celebrities.
However, Amir Khan went on to speak publicly about the religious element that stopped him from accepting this offer. He wanted the public’s opinion, and fellow Muslims to depict their view on this matter. Does it go against Muslim teachings in a sacrilegious way? Or should this accomplishment be accepted and celebrated regardless of religion?
The comments section on his Twitter became a forum of debate, with each person having their viewpoint and reasons as to why. The term ‘Haram’, meaning forbidden or prohibited applies to various aspects of Muslim life. This can be from food, such as not eating pork, the consumption of alcohol, or how to conduct yourself in relationships.
Further comments echoed Amir’s hesitation such as “You have a good friend as he stopped you from major haram”, another member of the public stated, “Indeed its haram as its idol”. Idol worship directly contradicts the central pillar of the Islamic faith as it is worshipping something man-made. These are the reasons why Amir Khan having a statute of himself made of wax, has caused internal debate with his faith.
Amir’s post was met by comments from a verse narrated by Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurayra who are Islamic scholars “Whoever makes an image will be punished until he breathes a soul into it, and he will not be able to do so” (Nasai, Ziynah,113). This is interpreted as on the day of resurrection those will never be able to breathe a soul into said statue, and thus their punishment will be continuous as stated in the Hadith. An important post from his comment section states “You can ask 10 people in a room and there will be 10 different opinions”. It is evident from research as well as public opinion, that this comes down to interpretation.
Amir also stated “I have noticed that other Muslim athletes have participated in similar projects” This is in reference to professional boxer and fellow Muslim Muhammed Ali’s wax figure being a part of Madame Tussauds. This also shows Amirs temptation to go for this opportunity, as he uses examples of those who have gone before him and who too are Muslim.
Like any religion, there are levels to the amount that people directly follow. As each person can interpret text differently. Members of the public made this connection and flooded into the comment section of Amir’s post stating not to follow public opinion. Such as “you should have done what you wanted to” or alternatively “ask other Islamic scholars for the correct answer”, as well as “go ask someone with knowledge on this, perhaps at a mosque”. All these statements point the British boxing champion to move away from public opinion on this matter and seek religious and academic advice.
But perhaps by Amir posting this it has got people involved in this discussion and debate that they would have not been able to do, if he had gone about this decision privately. We are waiting for comments from Dr Sidat and Dr Timol who are professionals for Islamic studies in the United Kingdom. Once received will shall include their professional viewpoints within this piece.
