Taking Pictures in Islam

The modern world is a very dangerous place for the Muslim as the rapid and expansive increase in knowledge and technology means that new questions arise that need answering. The Ullema of today have to be increasingly aware of the advances in medical science, finance, farming, biology, chemistry and physics. Is it permissible, for example, to work in stem cell research? New ‘halal mortgages’ are springing up everywhere and seem so complicated, are they halal? What happens if a Muslim goes into space, how does he pray? Is it permissible to stun an animal with an electronic current before slaughter? I recently learnt of a person who had a sex change and became women, she (it) accepted Islam, and what do we do about this? Do we treat her/him as a man or woman? There are so many new situations that are springing up each year due to advances in technology.

There is an issue that is relatively old but has an increasing level of importance due to the rise of digital technology, that issue is Photography. Many brothers I know immediately shout “haram” whilst others exclaim “halal” so what is average Muslim to do when he or she attends a wedding (for example) and there are cameras and video cameras everywhere? Or what if he or she needs to take a picture for a passport or a library card?

This situation affects all of us so I thought about posting the positions of some of our Ullema.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai (may Allah preserve him) states:

Photography, taking of pictures, video, etc. are all totally prohibited in Shari’ah. No matter where photography, video, etc. of animate objects are done are all Haram. However, photographs at time of severe necessity only, e.g. passport, will be allowed.

Mufti Ebrahim quotes the hadith in which our beloved Prophet Muhammad said, ‘

“Verily the people who are punished the worst by Allah are the Musawwiroon (picture-makers).’ (Bukhari)

Mufti Ebrahim also quotes the following hadiths:

Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) narrates that Prophet Muhammad said, ‘Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or picture.’ (Mishkãt vol. 2 p. 385)

Abdullah ibn Masóod (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) narrates that Prophet Muhammad said, ‘The people with the most severe punishment by Allah will be the picture makers.’ (Ibid).

Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates, ‘I heard the messenger of Allah saying, “Every picture-maker will be in the fire. A life will be created for every picture the picture-maker made, and he will be tortured in Hell.” If you have to make pictures (says Ibn Abbas then make a picture of a tree or such things which are inanimate.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

This is the position of the majority of scholars however I have found that in the issue of photography there is a difference of opinion. Shaykh Muhammad Bakhit al-Muti’i of Egypt, a 2oth Century scholar known for his knowledge and piety, wrote a whole treatise titled al-Jawab al-Shafi fi Ibahat Surat al-Photography in support of this view of permissibility.

His basic understanding is that the reason behind the prohibition of painting pictures (in the words of the Hadith) is challenging Allah in His Creating of living creatures. In camera photos, however, one does not produce an image through one’s own imagination; hence one is not challenging the Creating of Allah as such. It is merely a reflection of a living being already created by Allah Most High.

Live Broadcasting

Shaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) and many other scholars have declared that live broadcastings of images do not fall within the ambit of picture-making (taswir). A picture is something that is permanent and static, whilst the image broadcasted live is not permanent hence cannot be termed a picture. A live broadcast is in reality a reflection of the actual image, similar to seeing an image in a mirror.

Therefore, if an image of a human or animal is broadcasted live, then this does not fall into the unlawful picture-making. It will be permitted to broadcast something live or view a live programme, provided the content of the programme is lawful (halal). (Taqrir Tirmidhi, 2/351)

Video Recording

According to Shaykh Taqi Usmani, that which is recorded in a videotape or DVD is also not considered a picture. In a videotape, the particles of an image are gathered and then re-opened in the same order to view the image. This is the reason why it is not possible to see the picture in the rail of the tape without playing it. (ibid)

Therefore, if a permitted and Halal event, such as a lecture of a scholar, is played and viewed on a videotape or DVD, it will be permitted, Inshallah.

Shaykh Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) sums this up in one of his Fatawa:

“The images appearing on live programs or recorded programs on television are not the pictures in the strict sense envisaged in the Ahadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad unless they are printed in a durable form on paper or on any other object. But the basic reason why Muslims are advised not to keep TV sets in their homes is that most of the programs broadcast on the TV channels contain impermissible elements.”

Up to this moment I have not prevented people from taking my picture when the situation arises but I can see the position of the prohibition quite clearly. There seems to be a difference between video and still pictures too, that is, video (either live or recorded) being rather more acceptable.

For me the safer position is to avoid pictures but not condemn those who do because there is a genuine difference of opinion amongst our Ullema and as the ullema say: “Allah would not punish people for following recognized qualified scholars, even if they turned out to be “wrong.”

Allah knows best

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