Asslam-u-Allaikum Wareham Tullahi Wabarak Atuhu,
I want to ask if it is permissible to take pictures in Islam?
We make pictures from mobile and Ulema also make videos to spread Islam and guide people to the right way.
Is it haram or not to take pictures or make videos?
Jazak Allah
Answer
Wa’alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
There are very clear prohibitions in the Ahadith about taking pictures. The folowing are just a few narrations:
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَذَابًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الْمُصَوِّرُونَ ” .
“Verity the most grievously tormented people on the Day of Resurrection would be those who make pictures.” (Muslim-2109)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ مَنْ صَوَّرَ صُورَةً كُلِّفَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ يَنْفُخَ فِيهَا الرُّوحَ وَلَيْسَ بِنَافِخٍ ” .
‘Whoever makes an image will be commanded on the Day of Resurrection to breathe a soul into it, but he will not be able to do so.’” (Sunan an-Nasai)
عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الصُّورَةِ فِي الْبَيْتِ وَنَهَى أَنْ يُصْنَعَ ذَلِكَ
“The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) prohibited having images in the house, and he prohibited making them.” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi)
These narraions do not make a distinction between the method of making the picture. In the earlier times, a picture could be drawn with a pen, painted with a brush, made into a sculpture etc. No differance has been made. Therefore, the prohibition continues to encompass all type of picture-making, even if it means taking a picture or a video.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)