Can I make use of mannequins in my store?
The answer
In principle, if a mannequin is detailed and constructed in a manner which the facial features of an animate being are discernible, then such a mannequin will be impermissible to use. However, if the mannequin’s head is removed or is de-faced, then it will be permissible to use such a mannequin.
Condition: Only if the head is removed or the face is defaced; detailed bodies should be covered.
Explanation
If the body of the mannequin is detailed, it should also be concealed. If it is possible to use mannequin stands which do not have any detailed features, then that is most appropriate.1
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
References
1قَالَ: (وَلَا بَأْسَ بِالصَّلَاةِ فِي بَيْتٍ فِي قِبْلَتِهِ تَمَاثِيلُ مَقْطُوعَةُ الرَّأْسِ) لِأَنَّ التِّمْثَالَ تِمْثَالٌ بِرَأْسِهِ فَبِقَطْعِ الرَّأْسِ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ تِمْثَالًا، بَيَانُهُ فِيمَا رُوِيَ «أَنَّ النَّبِيّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – أُهْدِيَ إلَيْهِ ثَوْبٌ عَلَيْهِ تِمْثَالُ طَائِرٍ فَأَصْبَحُوا، وَقَدْ مَحَا وَجْهَهُ» (المبسوط للسرخسي ج 1 ص 10 دار المعرفة)
قَالَ – رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ – (أَوْ مَقْطُوعَةَ الرَّأْسِ) أَيْ مَمْحُوَّةَ الرَّأْسِ بِخَيْطٍ يَخِيطُهُ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى لِلرَّأْسِ أَثَرٌ أَوْ يَطْلِيهِ بِمَغْرَةٍ أَوْ نَحْوِهِ أَوْ يَنْحِتُهُ فَبَعْدَ ذَلِكَ لَا يُكْرَهُ؛ لِأَنَّهَا لَا تُعْبَدُ بِدُونِ الرَّأْسِ عَادَةً وَلَا اعْتِبَارَ بِالْخَيْطِ بَيْنَ الرَّأْسِ وَالْجَسَدِ لِأَنَّ مِنْ الطُّيُورِ مَا هُوَ مُطَوَّقٌ وَلَا بِإِزَالَةِ الْحَاجِبَيْنِ أَوْ الْعَيْنَيْنِ؛ لِأَنَّهَا تُعْبَدُ بِدُونِهِمَا. (تبيين الحقائق ج 1 ص 166 مكتبة امدادية)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.