Fatwa: # 14926
Category: Jurisprudence and Rulings...
Country: South Africa
Date: 2nd March 2007

Title

Photography in Islam

Question

can you please guide me about photography in Islam.
Is it allowed to make video recording(of any living persons/animals/creatures) if it is done for the purpose of making people aware of what is real Islam or for the purpose of spreading Islam?

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

It is not permissible to make video recordings or produce pictures of animate objects where there is no dire need. There is no need at all for picture making to propagate Deen and Islam. The Deen of Allah is not in need of the despicable act of picture making to be shown in its pristine form especially since there are extremely severe warnings in the Ahadith regarding picture making and photography.

 

1) It is narrated on the authority of Abu Talha (Radiallahu Anhu ) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, " The Malaaikah (angels of mercy) do not enter a house wherein there are pictures (of animate objects) (Muslim, Hadith:5485, Darul Ma'rifah)

 

عن أبي طلحة صاحب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن الملائكة لا تدخل بيتا فيه صورة (الصحيح لمسلم, رقم:  5485)

 

2) Narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Those who make pictures will be punished on the day of judgment. It will be said to them, "Bring to life what you have created!" (Muslim, Hadith 5501, Darul Ma'rifah)

 

عن نافع أن ابن عمر أخبره أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الذين يصنعون الصور يعذبون يوم القيامة يقال لهم أحيوا ما خلقتم (الصحيح لمسلم, رقم: 5501 دار المعرفة)

 

3) Narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbaas (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam) said, "Every person who creates pictures of animate objects will be in the fire of Hell. Every picture that he created will be given a life and will punish him in Jahannum. (Muslim, Hadith: 5506, Darul Ma'rifah)

 

عن سعيد بن أبي الحسن قال جاء رجل إلى ابن عباس فقال إني رجل أصور هذه الصور فأفتني فيها فقال له ادن مني فدنا منه ثم قال ادن مني فدنا حتى وضع يده على رأسه قال أنبئك بما سمعت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول كل مصور في النار يجعل له بكل صورة صورها نفسا فتعذبه في جهنم (الصحيح لمسلم, رقم: 5506 دار المعرفة)

 

4) Narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbaas (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam) said, "Whoever produces a picture (of an animate object) in this world will be forced to bring it to life on the Day of Judgment but he will be unable to do so. (Muslim, Hadith: 5507, Darul Ma'rifah)

 

عن النضر بن أنس بن مالك قال كنت جالسا عند ابن عباس فجعل يفتي ولا يقول قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى سأله رجل فقال إني رجل أصور هذه الصور فقال له ابن عباس ادنه فدنا الرجل فقال ابن عباس سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول من صور صورة في الدنيا كلف أن ينفخ فيها الروح يوم القيامة وليس بنافخ (الصحيح لمسلم, رقم: 5507 دار المعرفة)

 

5) Narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "The people who will be most severely punished on the day of judgment are those who make pictures. (of animate objects) (Muslim, Hadith: 5505, Darul Ma'rifah)

 

عن مسلم بن صبيح قال كنت مع مسروق في بيت فيه تماثيل مريم فقال مسروق هذا تماثيل كسرى فقلت لا هذا تماثيل مريم فقال مسروق أما إني سمعت عبد الله بن مسعود يقول قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة المصورون (الصحيح لمسلم, رقم: 5505 دار المعرفة)

 

The severity of the sin of making pictures and photography is evident from the abovementioned Ahadith. Therefore one should steer clear of anything to do with picture making.

And Allah knows best

Suhail Tarmahomed,

Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa

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