What is the ruling on circulating banknotes that contain drawn images of animate beings, especially if these images appear above images of Islamic landmarks when the banknote is folded or stacked?

It is forbidden to photograph animate beings. However, the presence of pictures of animate beings on circulating currencies does not prevent their circulation, due to the difficulty of avoiding them and the need for them. The proof for this is that Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen issued a fatwa permitting the carrying of dirhams that have pictures of kings and presidents, by analogy with the junaih al-firangi (French pound) and the French riyal, which were circulated in ancient times and had pictures on them. He cited the words of Allah Almighty: (Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship), and His words: (He has not placed upon you in religion any difficulty), and that the religion is ease. So, if a man carries dirhams that contain pictures due to his need, or fearing the need for them, there is no blame on him, and no sin on him, as long as he dislikes the act of photographing. Therefore, there is no harm in a forbidden picture appearing above a permissible picture or vice versa.