365: Ruling on photographs

ASSALAMALEIKUM
My question is : IS the taking of PHOTOGRAPHS ALLOWED,(I know drawing pictures of
living things is not allowed -but what about taking photograph's of people etc.), can you supply
me with some evidence please. I need this information quickly.- Inshallah.
Jaazakala hair.

Published Date: 1998-05-16

Praise be to Allaah.

Photography (tasweer) means the taking of pictures of living, animate moving beings, like
people, animals, birds, etc. The ruling is that it is forbidden on the basis of a number of reports,
such as the following:

'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Those who will be most severely punished by Allaah on
the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath,
10/382).

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah, may He be exalted, says: 'Who does more wrong than the
one who tries to create something like My creation? Let him create a grain of wheat or a kernel
of corn.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see Fath al-Baari, 10/385).

'Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "Shall I not send you on the same mission as the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent me? Do not leave any
built-up tomb without levelling it, and do not leave any picture in any house without erasing it."
(Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa'i; this is the version narrated by al-Nisaa'i).

Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Every image-maker will be in the Fire, and for every
image that he made a soul will be created for him, which will be punished in the Fire." Ibn
'Abbaas said: "If you must do that, make pictures of trees and other inanimate objects."
(Reported by Muslim, 3/1871)

These ahaadeeth indicate that pictures of animate beings are haraam, whether they are humans or
other creatures, whether they are three-dimensional or two-dimensional, whether they are
printed, drawn, etched, engraved, carved, cast in moulds, etc. These ahaadeeth include all of
these types of pictures.

The Muslim should submit to the teachings of Islam and not argue with them by saying, "But I
am not worshipping them or prostrating to them!" If we think about just one aspect of the evil
caused by the prevalence of photographs and pictures in our times, we will understand something
of the wisdom behind this prohibition: that aspect is the great corruption caused by the provoking
of physical desires and subsequent spread of immorality caused by these pictures.

The Muslim should not keep any pictures of animate beings in his house, because they will
prevent the angels from entering. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or pictures." (Reported by al-Bukhaari,
see al-Fath, 10/380).

But nowadays, unfortunately, one can even find in some Muslim homes statues of gods
worshipped by the kuffaar (such as Buddha etc.) which they keep on the basis that they are
antiques or decorative pieces. These things are more strictly prohibited than others, just as
pictures which are hung up are worse than pictures which are not hung up, for how easily they
can lead to glorification, and cause grief or be a source of boasting! We cannot say that these
pictures are kept for memory's sake, because true memories of a Muslim relative or friend reside
in the heart, and we remember them by praying for mercy and forgiveness for them.

Taking pictures with a camera involves human actions such as focusing, pressing the shutter,
developing, printing, and so on. We cannot call it anything other than "picture-making" or
tasweer, which is the expression used by all Arabic-speakers to describe this action.

In the book Al-I'laam bi naqd kitaab al-halaal wa'l-haraam, the author says: "Photography is even
more of an imitation of the creation of Allaah than pictures which are engraved or drawn, so it is
even more deserving of being prohibited There is nothing that could exclude photography
from the general meaning of the reports." (p. 42, see also Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/355).

Among the scholars who have discussed the issue of photography is Shaykh Naasir al-Deen al-
Albaani, who said: "Some of them differentiate between hand-drawn pictures and photographic
images by claiming that the latter are not products of human effort, and that no more is involved
than the mere capturing of the image. This is what they claim. The tremendous energy invested
the one who invented this machine that can do in few seconds what otherwise could not be done
in hours does not count as human effort, according to these people! Pointing the camera,
focusing it, and taking the picture, preceded by installation of the film and followed by
developing and whatever else that I may not know about none of this is the result of human
effort, according to them!

Some of them explain how this photography is done, and summarize that no less than eleven
different actions are involved in the making of a picture. In spite of all this, they say that this
picture is not the result of human action! Can it be permissible to hang up a picture of a man, for
example, if it is produced by photography, but not if it is drawn by hand?

Those who say that photography is permitted have "frozen" the meaning of the word "tasweer,"
restriciting it only to the meaning known at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) and not adding the meaning of photography, which is "tasweer" or "picture-
making" in every sense - linguistic, legal, and in its harmful effects, and as is clear from the
definition mentioned above. Years ago, I said to one of them, By the same token, you could allow
idols which have not been carved but have been made by pressing a button on some machine that
turns out idols by the dozen. What do you say to that?"
(Aadaab al-Zafaaf by al-Albaani, p. 38)

It is also worth quoting the opinion of some contemporary scholars who allow the taking of
photographs but say that the pictures should not be kept: "The angels do not enter a house in
which there is a dog or pictures." (See al-Sharh al-Mumti', 2/198).

There are many bad things involved in the making of pictures. Besides the element of imitating
the creation of Allaah - which is an accusation denied by many of those who make pictures -
reality bears witness to the great extent of immorality and provocation of desires caused by the
prevalence of pictures and picture-making nowadays. We must remove or blot out every picture,
except when it is too difficult to do so, like the pictures which are overwhelmingly prevalent in
food packaging, or pictures used in encyclopaedias and reference books. We should remove what
we can, and be careful about any provocative pictures that may be found.

"So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can" [al-Taghaabun 64:16 -
interpretation of the meaning]

Photographs which are essential are permitted - such as those required for identity documents, or
for identifying or pursuing criminals [e.g. "wanted" posters and the like - translator's note], or for
educational purposes which cannot be achieved otherwise. The principle in sharee'ah is that we
should not exaggerate about what is necessary.

We ask Allaah to accept our repentance and have mercy on us, and to forgive our excesses, for
He is the All-Hearing Who answers prayers. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

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Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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112046: Ruling on bringing books which contain images into the mosque

It is well known, especially in elementary, secondary and middle school and in some universities
that they have some books which contain images. What is the ruling on bringing these books to
the mosque in order to study there?.

Published Date: 2009-07-16

Praise be to Allaah.

With regard to the images that are prominent and visible, such as those that are on the covers --
for example -- it is not permissible to bring them into the mosque, because the angels do not
enter a house in which there are images. If the angels are offended by the smell of onions and
leeks, then they will be offended by these images which keep them out i.e., prevent the angels
from entering the mosque. But if the images are hidden and are not sought in and of themselves,
then I hope that there will be nothing wrong with that, because they are hidden inside the book
and also they are not the purpose for which the book is brought. If a person thinks that he can do
what is better and more perfect, and can erase the faces, then the problem is resolved. End quote.

And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)

124208: His father took pictures of him when he was small relieving himself and
taking a bath, and his siblings can see them now!

My father took pictures of me when I was small in the bathroom, when I was relieving myself
and taking a bath. Now that I am older, my siblings watch the video and laugh at me, and in fact
it is offensive. What is the ruling on that?.

Published Date: 2008-11-19

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Contemporary scholars differed concerning the ruling on making photographic and video
images. In the answers to questions no 10326 and 12786 we stated that the correct view is that
both are haraam, if the images are of animate beings.

In the answer to question no. 10668 we stated that it is haraam to take pictures even if it is for the
sake of memories.

If this is the view of scholars concerning pictures even if they are of children who are praying,
then it is more likely to be haraam if they are pictures of children relieving themselves or taking
a bath naked!

Many people are heedless about this issue, and they take pictures of their daughters when they
are small, then when they grow up and get married, those pictures are passed around, and people
look at them. Would that this was limited only to mahrams, but they are even passed to non-
mahrams! And it becomes difficult to collect these pictures and video tapes to destroy them. The
same may be said with regard to taking pictures of boys when they are naked and taking a bath.
As for taking pictures of them when they are relieving themselves, then this combines the
prohibition on taking pictures and uncovering the awrah at one time, and no one should look at
them. This is an action which is contrary to modesty and chastity, and sound fitrah (human
nature).
What parents must do is immediately hasten to destroy the pictures that they are keeping of their
children male and female and especially those in which they are in a state in which it is not
appropriate for anyone to see them. This is what we advise your father to do. He has to respect
the prohibition on seeing awrahs and pay attention to your feelings about showing these pictures
and films to your brothers and other people.

Even if we assume that making pictures is permissible in principle, and that making images of
such scenes is halal, the parents have no right to keep such pictures and show them to others now
that you have reached this age and are upset by that, or it causes others to make fun of you.

If he does not respond, then ask your brothers not to look at these pictures and films; may Allaah
rid you of this problem and relieve you of this worry and distress.

And Allaah knows best.

102262: Taking pictures of student activities with a video camera and digital camera

What is the ruling on recording by video cameras and digital cameras in schools, in order
to document the activity and submit it to the administration, as per their request?.

Published Date: 2007-08-08

Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible to take pictures of student activities with the video camera and digital camera
mentioned, for the purpose of documenting the activity so that the administrators may study it,
so long as these images are not produced in any fixed format such as on paper.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

With regard to pictures made in the modern fashion, they fall into two categories:

The first category is those which have no tangible substance (and can only be seen by running
them through a machine), as I was told is the case with pictures on video tapes. There is no
ruling at all concerning these, and they do not come under the prohibition at all. Hence the
scholars who forbid making pictures with cameras on paper (photographs) permitted this (video
pictures), and said that there is nothing wrong with this. Then it was asked, is it permissible to
film lectures which are given in the mosques? The (scholarly) view was that it is better not to do
that, because it may disturb the worshippers and because they may film things that may not be
appropriate, and so on.

The second category is fixed or still pictures on paper (photographs)

But the matter needs further discussion if one wants to make these kind of permissible pictures.
For they are subject to five rulings which depend on the intention. If the intention is something
forbidden, then it is haraam. If he intends something waajib (obligatory), then it is waajib.
Sometimes pictures may be essential, especially moving pictures. For example, if we see
someone in the act of committing a crime against a persons rights, such as an attempt to kill and
so on, and we cannot prove it in any way but by taking pictures, then in this case taking pictures
becomes waajib, especially in cases where pictures may decide the case. The means are subject
to the rulings on the ends. If we make these pictures in order to prove the identity of a person for
fear that someone else may be accused of the crime, this is also acceptable, indeed it is essential.

But if we take these pictures just to enjoy looking at them, this is undoubtedly haraam...
And Allaah knows best. (See Al-Sharh al-Mumti, 2/197-199)

Shaykh Abd al-Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: What is the ruling
on videotaping celebrations, conferences and seminars?

He replied: If there is the hope that people may benefit from the videotaping of the party, seminar
or Islamic meeting in which there is the call to Allaah, and it is believed that this is most likely to
serve a good purpose and that this videotaping will be good and will benefit the people, then
there is nothing wrong with that in sha Allaah. End quote from Fataawa Islamiyyah (4/367).

May Allaah help us all to do that which He loves and which pleases Him.

And Allaah knows best.

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