Depicting the Prophets is wrong and is haraam, and it is not permissible even if some Muslims do that

In the answer toquestion no.158232 we explained that it isnot permissible to depict the Prophets and Messengers of Allah (blessings andpeace of Allah be upon them) or to depict the Sahaabah(may Allah be pleased with them), because doing that involves detracting fromtheir status and showing disrespect to them, and it is a transgression againsttheir dignity and undermines them, and because it involves fabrications andlies against the best of the creation of Allah.

As for the film referred to, itsproducer claimed that he made this movie from an Islamic point of view, as hisidea was based on denying the story of the crucifixion, in accordance with whatis mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. He also affirmed that the Messiah foretold thecoming of our Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

And he said that it was primarily aimedat the West, to refute the repeated Western insults of our Prophet (blessingsand peace of Allah be upon him) in particular and of Islam in general; tohighlight the status of the Messiah (peace be upon him) among the Muslims; toshow that Islam teaches belief in all the Prophets and Messengers of Allahwithout exception, and that it does not discriminate between them.

For more information see this link:

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/05/01/49224.html

Although we believe that the Messiah(peace be upon him) was not crucified and was not killed, and the Holy Qur’anclearly states that, we do not agree that this should be presented intheatrical or cinematic form in which a person acts the part of the Messiah(peace be upon him), or even that a picture should be drawn of him. All of thatis forbidden and is haraam, because it detracts fromthe status of the Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) and lowers theirstatus in people’s eyes, because it usually involves telling some kind of liesabout them and shows them in a manner other than how they really were, whetherthat is to a lesser or greater extent. So it is not permissible for anyone totell lies about the Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) or to detract fromtheir status, or to depict them, no matter how noble his intention or aim. Theintention may be noble but the means must also be Islamically acceptable.

The scholars of the Standing Committeesaid, in a statement that explained that it is not permissible to portray theProphets or the Sahaabah:

The claim that this theatricalproduction or film about what happened between the Muslims and the kaafirs is a effective means ofconveying the message, calling people to Islam and drawing lessons from historyis to be refuted on the basis of reality. Assuming that this claim is correct,its negative aspects outweigh any good, and its bad consequences outweigh anygood consequences. Anything that is like that should be disallowed and weshould stop thinking of it. There are many means of conveying the message andspreading the call of Islam among people; the Prophets explained that to theirnations, and these methods bore abundant fruit; by means of these methods Islambecause victorious and Muslims gains power and honour.That has been proven by history. So we should follow that straight path, thepath of those with whom Allah is pleased of the Prophets, siddeeqs,martyrs and righteous, and we should refrain from that which is closer tofrivolity and fulfilling whims and desires than it is to serious effort andhigh resolve. End quote.

Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 3/269-270

In that case, a mistake made by someMuslims should not be taken as proof against sharee‘ah;nor is it a mistake for which all Muslims should be blamed. Allah, may He beexalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: Shall I seek a lord other thanAllah, while He is the Lord of all things? No person earns any (sin) exceptagainst himself (only), and no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden ofanother. Then unto your Lord is your return, so He will tell you that whereinyou have been differing.”

[al-An‘aam 6:164]

And Allah knows best.