Khusraw Slaying a Lion by Riza' 'Abbasi (c.1565-1635), from Nizami's
The Romance of Khusraw and Shirin, Iran (Safavid), Isfahan
1632, ink, gold, and colors on paper; stamped, tooled, and filigreed leather binding
26.7 x 15.3 cm (10 1/2 x 6); 44.3 x 33.6 x .5 cm (17 7/16 x 13 1/4 x 3/16)
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

At times, the use of imagery even extended to three-dimensional figures, although sculptures came dangerously close to the idols that God had warned Muslims not to worship. Because sculptors imitated the unique creative power of God by reproducing the outward form of His creatures, many people considered such works offensive.