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View Full Version : The Prohibition of Photography: by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (ra)
The Prohibition of Photography by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh) |
One of the greatest calamities of our times is the abuse of the camera. In this day and age, with the easy availability of cell-phones, digital cameras, camcorders, etc. everyone seems to be in possession of a tool which has created an upheaval in mischief. …How many have had their names dragged through the mud or have been black-mailed, slandered or left humiliated and disgraced due to photographs taken and then circulated? Photography is an evil which has been entirely misjudged and under-estimated. Just recently, a brother related a dream to me, requesting an interpretation. I interpreted his dream saying: ‘It seems as if movies are being viewed in the Masjid.’ Within a matter of days, the interpretation was made apparent. We had a visiting ‘Aalim give a talk in our Masjid. I was sitting on a chair, near the front, when I observed three young boys very absorbed with their cell phones. I requested a friend to go to the back of the Masjid and see what they were up to. He observed that they were viewing some film with dirty, indecent pictures.رَاجِعُوْن اِلَيْهِ اِنَّا وَ لِلّٰهِ ِاِنَّاWe give our children high-technology at the expense of hayaa (modesty), Deen and Imaan. One is to have no shame and commit sins in the presence of Allah Ta’ala, but increasing in shamelessness is when one is brazen enough to commit sins in the presence of Allah Ta’ala, whilst in the Masjid, the House of Allah Ta’ala. The same shamelessness is found en-masse in the Masjid of all Masaajid, Masjidul Haraam in Makkah Shareef. The objective of the majority visiting these days, is taking photographs and video recording, instead of engaging in Ibaadah. Complaints - and it is even our experience - of flashes and clicks of the camera, seen or heard, whilst Salaah is in progress or whilst in Tawaaf. There is a very dire need to explain that this is a grave and serious crime in the sight of Allah Ta’ala. What needs to be understood is that photography of anything animate is a clear prohibition. It is Haraam. It has been narrated from Hazrat Jabir (RA) that Rasulullah (1) forbade pictures in the house and he forbade making them. Rasulullah (1) said: “Verily, of the most grievously tormented people on the Day of Resurrection are picture-makers.”[1] There are, in fact, many other Ahaadeeth, which clearly prove this prohibition. Why did Allah Ta’ala prohibit photography? One reason is quite clear; that it was the origin of Shirk (polytheism): Going down the passage of history, we find that mankind was introduced to idol worship due to shaytaan’s efforts in leading mankind astray. So due to his whispering encouragement, people began to draw and sketch their pious predecessors, thinking that their faces and images will be a source of inspiration; an incentive to also follow in their footsteps of piety. However, it was the means by which many began to worship those pictures, and thereafter carved such idols; and idol worship came into vogue. Whilst this would have been more than sufficient for the Believer, it is no longer considered a worthy reason by Muslims who want to engage in the sin. Many say that there is no way that they would worship a photograph or even a sketch, let alone an idol. My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) explains that one reason behind the prohibition is so that Allah Ta’ala may protect the respect and dignity of His servants. Many a time, a person who was engaged in various evils is granted hidayah (guidance). Sometimes, this hidayah is such that he attains a high stage of Wilayah. The person becomes a great Wali (Friend) of Allah Ta’ala and even a Shaykh, and thousands of people throng to his gatherings. Now at such a time, if someone were to dig up pictures of his past … what embarrassment would he have to endure? From Allah Ta’ala’s side, there is forgiveness of sins, on sincere taubah, to the extent, that all evidence is ‘deleted’ and Insha-Allah, the person will not have to render an account for those sins. However, if photographs were taken, then this is evidence which the person has produced against himself, and which cannot always be destroyed – especially if it is in the hands of others who wish to bring disgrace to the person. My Shaykh mentioned the above reason, during an election in Pakistan, where a woman was a candidate in the election. She was blackmailed with photographs of herself in a compromising situation, so that she withdraws. Further to this reason, we find that the porn industry and filthy films are all based on pictures. Islam nips the problem in the bud by prohibiting photography. If everyone practiced upon this teaching, we would not have pornography, woman abuse and exploitation, child pornography, and the evil consequences of rape, insanity, suicide, incest, etc., much of which has shattered and devastated the marriages and homes of many Muslims. Now thinking over all these harms, we should appreciate the prohibition all the more and show that appreciation by abstaining. There is nothing but great wisdom in the prohibitions of Allah Ta’ala, with nothing but good for His servants. [1] Sahih Bukhari For every masjid that he brought to tears with his heartfelt duaas, and every person he helped guide to the straight path (as this sinful slave), by the will of Allah (subhanawataála) - may Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel be granted the highest ranks in Jannah. Ameen. Salaam |
Question | ||
my question is weather pictures are haram in islam i know drawing eyes is haram but if i use a camera and took pictures with that be considered as haram please can you varifiy weather i am allowed to take pictures or not |
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Answer | ||
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh During the time of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم there existed various ways of producing a picture; e.g. carving, painting, tracing, drawing, etc. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم prohibited all these different types of pictures. In other words, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم declared that pictures are prohibited and not the means of taking the photo. The ruling of picture-making does not change by the changing of the tool with which the picture is produced. The invention of a camera merely marks yet another method of taking a photo. In order to understand this further it is essential that you understand the definition of a photograph. The Oxford Dictionary defines the term ‘photograph’ thus, “a picture taken by means of the chemical action of light on a sensitive film.”The American heritage dictionary has defined it as “An image, especially a positive print, recorded by a camera and reproduced on a photosensitive surface.” The Websters revised unabridged dictionary, “A picture or likeness obtained by photography.” These citations prove that a photograph is a picture (and not a mere reflection). Therefore, they will fall in the ambit of the explicit prohibition which is found in numerous authentic Ahadith. And Allah knows best Wassalam Ml. Ismail Moosa, Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah http://www.askimam.org/fatwa/fatwa.p...8956b3fb6c690d |
I have a clear understanding of the ruling regarding taking photos and pictures in islaam...Alhamdlillah! but the thing is ...my immediate family and my inlaws are in distant places and they wish to see photos of my new born baby. please advise me on this...they are demanding and get angry if i dnt send pics. |
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Answer | ||
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh It is not permissible for you to take pictures of the new born baby and to send it to your family members. The books of Ahadeeth are filled with warnings against those who create pictures of animate objects. أن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال أخبرني أبو طلحة رضي الله عنه صاحب رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم وكان قد شهد بدرا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم أنه قال ( لا تدخل الملائكة بيتا فيه كلب ولا صورة ). يريد صورة التماثيل التي فيها الأرواح (Bukhari pg570, Deoband) Rasulullah (salallahu alaihi wasallam) has mentioned: “The Angels (of mercy) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture (i.e. of animate objects) عن ابن عباس أن النبى -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال « من صور صورة عذبه الله بها يوم القيامة حتى ينفخ فيها وليس بنافخ (Sunan Abi Dawood pg 329,HM Saeed ) Rasulullah (salallahu alaihi wasallam) has mentioned: “Whoever creates a picture of an animate object, Allah Ta’ala will punish him on the day of Qiyaamah until he will give life to the picture, which he will be unable to do”) عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: دخل علي النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم وفي البيت قرام فيه صور فتلون وجهه ثم تناول الستر فهتكه وقالت قال النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم ( من أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة الذين يصورون هذه الصور ) (Bukhari pg 902, Deoband) Hazrat Aisha (radiyallahu anha) reports that Nabi (salallahu alaihi wasallam) came to her and in the house there was a curtain which had pictures on it. His face turned colour, he took hold of the curtain and tore it. Thereafter Nabi (salallahu alaihi wasallam) remarked: “Those who create these pictures will receive the most severe of punishments on the day of Qiyaamah”. Explain to your family members that the Shariah does not permit you to send these pictures. And Allah knows best Wassalam u Alaikum Ml. Rayhaan Docrat, Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah http://www.askimam.org/fatwa/fatwa.p...b10996ba64a0b0 |
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