1) Is it permissible to keep one’s son’s/daughter’s photo as the desktop background of one’s computer or mobile phone?
2) What is the Shariah ruling on webcam?
2) What is the Shariah ruling on webcam?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
There are two views among the scholars regarding taking photos with a digital camera and storing/displaying the digital images on computer/mobile phone: some say that it is permissible and others say that it is not permissible. The view of impermissibility is the safer and more precautionary view. Please read the following answer for more details on this:
http://www.fatwa.org.au/taking-photos-and-vidoes.html
As for webcam, if it is used to record videos or to capture images then it will be just like using a digital camera or camcorder and there will be two views on it, as is mentioned above.
However, if the webcam is used for live transmission (such as when communicating with someone on SKYPE etc.) without recording the video then it will be permissible.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faizal Riza
13/11/2011