Nabeel asked 1 month ago
Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu Mufti Saheb
Some Ulama have told me that taking pictures and videos are haram while others have said it is permissible. What is the correct view?
Mufti Wahaaj Staff answered 1 month ago
بسم الله الرحمٰن الرحيم
الجواب حامداً ومصلياً
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The issue of digital photography is a contemporary issue with some scholars ruling for its permissibility and others ruling that it is ḥarām like other images.
The majority of ʿulamā’ from the Indian subcontinent and some scholars from the Arab world hold digital photography to be impermissible. The majority of scholars from the Arab world and some scholars from the Indian subcontinent hold digital photography to be permissible.
The more precautious view is the view of impermissibility, and the more lenient view is to allow it. If one adopts the second opinion, it would be advisable to limit pictures and videos to that which is deemed necessary and pursuant to some purpose rather than as a frivolous pastime or as a means to gaining likes on social media. That, even if technically considered permissible by some scholars, would be against the spirit of the sunnah.
If you would like to read more about this difference of opinion, please click here, here, here, and here. (The first three articles explain both sides whereas the last focuses on reasons for impermissiblity).
والله تعالى أعلم وعلمه أتم وبه التوفيق
And Allāh Taʿālā Knows Best
Muftī Mohammed Wahaajuddin bin Salauddin
(May Allāh forgive him and his parents)
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