Photography Halaal or not

Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

 

Dear brother Burhan, Assalam alakum,


I would like to ask if the photography of living objects is haram. One Of my friend lives in Dubai and he attended the lecturers of Dr. Zakir Naik sb., and they said in his speech that photography is not haram but only making paintings is haram. I am confused as I love to do still photography and always wonder if it is right to do or not. I would be highly obliged if you explain this matter in the light of Quran and Sunnah.

Allah hafiz

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Photography Halaal or not

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol,  no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.841         Narrated by Abu Talha

The Messenger of Allah (saws)  said, "Angels (of mercy) do not enter a house where there are pictures."

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.845         Narrated by Abu Juhaifa

that he had bought a slave whose profession was cupping.  The Prophet forbade taking the price of blood, and the price of a dog, and the earnings of a prostitute, and cursed the one who took or gave (Riba') usury, and the lady who tattooed others or got herself tattooed,  and the picture-maker.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.450         Narrated by Abu Salim

Once Gabriel promised the Prophet (saws) that he would visit him, but Gabriel did not come, and later on he said, "We, angels, do not enter a house which contains a picture,  or a dog."

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.834         Narrated by Muslim

We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet (saws)  saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers.' "

 

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.448         Narrated by Abu Talha

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.428         Narrated by Said bin Abu Al Hasan

While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures."  Ibn 'Abbas said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Apostle.  I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' "  Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale.  Ibn 'Abbas said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures,  I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects."

 

There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars regarding photography,  but the majority of the scholars of Islam are indeed of the opinion what Brother Dr. Zakir Naik has relayed;   that photography in itself is not forbidden in Islam;  but painting or imaging of an animate object is indeed forbidden.  

 

The majority of the scholars are also of the opinion that a believer must not decorate or display in his house pictures,  images,  idols,  or photos of animate objects,  as in light of the several narrations of the Messenger of Allah (saws),  the Angels of Mercy do not enter a house where there are pictures (of animate objects).

 

Almost all the scholars of Islam are unanimous in their opinion that there is no harm if one takes a portrait photograph for necessary and legal reasons,  and to comply with the modern methods of identification like identity cards,  driver’s license,  passports, etc.  

 

And Allah Alone Best.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

 

Your Brother in Islam,

 

 

Burhan

 

 
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