Are pictures haram?

it is worth noting that there is a difference of opinion
regarding photographs of animate objects.

drawing pictures of animate object has been explicitly forbidden by
many hadith, this has been interpreted by the Jurist a follows:

Shafi: Imam Nawawi states in sharh Muslim:

Our people and others from amongst the Ulama say, to draw a picture of
an animal is Haram...because it is imitating the creation of
Allah.....if it is hanging on the wall or a peice of cloth that is
worn or on an amaamah (turban)or the like that is not considered
insignificant then it is haram. and if it is on mat that is tread over
or a cushion which is considered insignificant then it is not haram.

Hanafi: Imam Badr ad-Deen 'Ayni has also said things along similar
lines in 'Umdah al-Qari.

Hambali: al-Mawardi states in al-insaf, a book which gives the
preferred opinion of the hambali madhab:

the drawing of a picture with life (Ruh) is Haram and the picture of a
tree or something similar is not haram.

Maliki: there are different narrations from the students of imam Malik:

Allahma Ubbay states in his sharah of Muslim:

there is a difference of opinion in drawing pictures of that which has
no shadow, Ibn Shihab has said it is Makruh in whatever it is drawn on
from walls to clothes etc. and Ibn al-Qasim has said it is permissible
to have pictures on clothes due to the hadith: "except that which is
inscribed on clothes".

the majority of the Ulama respond to this by arguing that "except that
which is inscribed on clothes" refers to inanimate objects, due to the
Hadith of 'Aisha where Prophet tore apart a cloth, which used to cover
the house, which had a picture.

Now, Photographs:

there is a difference of opinion regarding the fact that are photos
the same thing as drawing pictures or not?

So many Scholars have said that they are not the same and it is only a
reflection and therefore have said it is permissible.

other scholars have argued that it is tantamount to drawing a picture
and is therefore haram. for example Muhammad Ali as-Sabooni writes in
Ahkam al-Islam Fi at-tasweer:

because it is a motion picture it dos not mean that it is not a type
of tasweer (picture)....even though it is not explicit in the text, as
it is not a picture drawn by hand and it is not imitating the creation
of Allah, except that it is a type of picture, and therefore we should
suffice with it when it is necessary. END


Permissible at the time of need:

those scholars that deem photography haram allow it when there is a
need, e.g passports etc.

Imam Muhammad Ibn Hasan as-shaybani writes in seer kabir:

if there is a need to use weapons with pictures then there is no problem.

to conclude, it will be better to avoid pictures with people, however
if some that considers it permissible and does it, then one should not
impose ones opinion on thers, if it goes against oneself.
as there is no forbidding the evil in that which there is a dispute to
its true nature in being a vice.

And Allah Knows best.

Al-Abd ad-Daeef

Zakariyya

acording 2 da ullamah it is haraam? the mufti of pakistan mufti taqi usmani saysit is haram ? if u went 2 learn more da kitab is called fiqhi makalat its in urdu by mufti taqi usmani.

salaam
this is the ruling i follow:


Photography

Q. What do the Muslim scholars say regarding photography? Some scholars claim that photography of animate objects is permissible as far as Islamic Law is concerned. They claim that photography cannot be described as picture making (Tasweer) which has been banned in the Ahaadeeth of our Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. They further state that a photo is not a picture, but it is a reflection similar to the reflected image in a mirror or in water or on any polished surface. Please can you state in details with proof from authentic sources. May Allah Ta’ala reward you.


A. Regarding picture the Modern English-Arabic Dictionary Al-Mawrid defines ‘picture’ as ‘Soorat’ and the English-Arabic Dictionary Al-Qaamoosul-Asriyya, defines the term ‘picture’ also as ‘Soorat’.


The Oxford Dictionary gives the following definition of the term ‘picture’, as a representation of something produced on a surface by painting or other means. The Readers Digest Great Encyclopaedic Dictionary describes the term, ‘picture’ as follows:

“Painting, drawing of objects especially as work of art e.g. portrait; cinematography picture or film.”


The Modern English-Arabic dictionary, Al-Mawrid, describes the term ‘Photo’ as:

“Photographic picture.”


This Dictionary in describing the term, ‘photo’, states: “He made a picture by means of PHOTOGRAPHY.”


The Oxford Dictionary defines the term ‘photograph’ as follows:

“A picture taken by means of chemical action of lights on a sensitive film.”


The Readers Digest Great Encyclopaedic Dictionary defines ‘photograph’ as follows:

“Picture, likeness, taken by means of the chemical action of light on a sensitive film super imposed (laid) on glass, paper, celluloid, metal, etc.”


The Home University Encyclopaedia defines ‘photography’ as follows: “Photography is the art of preparing a permanent representation of objects by means of light they emit or transmit.”


The aforementioned quotations establish beyond any shadow of doubt that a photograph is a picture, and that photography is in fact a means, a way or a method of producing pictures. It has a also been proven that the Arabic terms, ‘Soorat’ and ‘Tasweer’, means pictures. These are the precise terms used by our Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam in the Ahaadeeth prohibiting the practise of picture-making.


The camera is the instrument used for the production of the photo-picture or the photograph as mentioned in the Readers Digest Great Encyclopaedia Dictionary, Encyclopaedia International and the Home University Encyclopaedia.


It must be clearly understood that our Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam declared the picture (Tasweer) as unlawful, and not the means of producing the picture. Even during the time of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam there existed various ways of producing images, but our Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam never referred to the method of image-production. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam directly banned the picture.


According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of a photograph is given as: “A picture taken by means of chemical action of light on a sensitive film.”


This same dictionary defines a picture as: “A representation of something produced on a surface by painting or other means.”


From this definition it will emerge that there are various means of producing a picture. It does not follow that a picture ceases to be a picture if the means of production changes from one method to another. The supporters of photography can argue this question from any angle whatsoever, but it will remain as clear as daylight that a photograph is a picture. The only difference in the photo-picture and the painted-picture as far as the definition of the picture goes, is in method of production. But, regardless of this difference in means of production, a picture remains a picture even though it may be labelled any fancy name so as to get out of the confines of Divine Prosecution.

There are a number of reasons and factors which makes the practice of picture-making unlawful (Haraam). These are as follows:

1. The Ahaadeeth of our Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam condemns and prohibits

picture-making.

2. Pictures of living creatures are the root cause of idolatry.

3. Imitation of the unbelievers.

4. Imitation of Allah Ta'ala’s creation of life.

5. The Angels of Mercy dislike pictures of animate objects.

6. Pictures divert man’s attention from Allah Ta'ala and the Hereafter.

7. Pictures are a powerful agent for pornography and obscure art.

8. Pictures are a source of pride and arrogance.

9. Pictures causes waste.

10. Allah Ta'ala dislikes pictures of animate objects.

Let me mention some Ahaadeeth from the numerous Ahaadeeth regarding the prohibition of animate objects.

1. Hadhrat Abu Talha radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “The Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or pictures.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)


2. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood radhiyallahu anhu narrates: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah Ta'ala sallallahu alayhi wasallam saying: “The picture-makers will be punished most severely by Allah Ta'ala.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)


3. Hadhrat Ibn Abbas radhiyallahu anhuma narrates on the authority of Hadhrat Maimoonah radhiyallahu anha: ‘Verily, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam arose one morning in a state of distress and he said: “Verily, Jibraeel promised to meet me last night, but he never met me. I take oath by Allah Ta’ala that he never broke a promise with me.”

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam then realised that there was a puppy under the bed. He ordered the puppy to be removed, and it was expelled. He then flushed water on the place where the puppy was. During the afternoon Jibraeel met Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam then said: “Verily, you promised to meet me last night.” Jibraeel replied: “Yes, but we do not enter a home wherein there is a dog or a picture.”


4. Hadhrat A'ishah radhiyallahu anha narrates: ‘The Messenger of Allah Ta'ala said: “The severest punished persons on the Day of Judgement will be those who imitate the creation of Allah Ta'ala.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)


5. Hadhrat A'ishah radhiyallahu anha narrates: “Verily, the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam did not leave anything in his home which had pictures on it, but broke it.” (Bukhaari)


6. In one narration, Hadhrat Ibn Umar radhiyallahu anhuma narrates: ‘Verily, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “Verily, these people who make these pictures will be punished on the Day of Judgement. It will be said unto them. Give life to that which you have created.” (Bukhaari)


7. Hadhrat Abu Zur’ah radhiyallahu anhu said: “I entered with Hadhrat Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu anhu in a house in Madinah, Hadhrat Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu anhu saw on top of the house a picture-maker busy drawing (pictures).


Hadhrat Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu anhu then said: ‘I heard Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam saying that Allah Ta’ala said: “Who is more unjust than that person who imitates my creation. Let him then create a grain, and let him create an atom.” (Bukhaari)


8. Hadhrat Jaabir radhiyallahu anhu narrates: “Verily the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam commanded Umar radhiyallahu anhu during the period of the Conquest (of Makkah) whilst he was in Bathaa, to go to the Kaabah and destroy every picture.”


Today we are adopting the lifestyle of the Kuffar in the following ways:

1. Acceptance and imitation of an evil practice of the unbelievers.

2. Use of pictorial decorations and adornments.

3. Family snaps, wedding photos, holiday photos, etc. are all exclusive Kuffar practices

which Muslims have adopted.


The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said: “Whoever imitates a nation becomes of them.”


Those ‘intelligent’ people who argue that if photography of animate objects be declared unlawful, the image in the mirror should be declared likewise, forbidden. But, since the image in the mirror is lawful, the image on the photograph is also lawful.


This comparison is meaningless to the extreme. It is indeed beyond one’s understanding. How can it be possible for an intelligent person to claim that the photograph is a mere reflection.


1. Firstly, the basic difference between the mirror image and the image on the photograph is; the mirror image is a reflection of the object which stands in its presence. All unbiased and sane people will accept this indisputable fact. On the other hand, the image on the photograph is a permanent picture and not a mere reflection dependant upon the continuous presence of the object for it’s existence.


2. Another difference is that a mirror is an instrument used for an entirely different purpose. At no time has the mirror been responsible for the evil practices of idolatry, pornography, cinema, etc. The image of the mirror does not endure to tell the tale of idolatry and evil. Whereas the photograph can and has led to the greater part of today's vice and immorality.


3. Thirdly, mirrors existed during the time of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Again, the reflected image in water is not a phenomenon of the twenty-first century. All these types of reflected images existed during the time of our Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, but he never condemned them nor branded them as unlawful. On the other hand, the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam condemned and rejected PICTURES of animate objects.

wassalaam

format_quote Originally Posted by akulion

So on one hand we have scholars telling us there must be evidence present for something to be haram or halal in the Quran and Sunnah and on the other hand we have those same scholars saying "passport pictures are an exception" well if they are where is this exception stated? I find this very ironic and strange.

In the Sharee'ah, there is a fundemental principle called daroora meaning necessity. You have mentioned one of the examples of this rule in the first few lines of your post.

This rule thus permits the use of making pictures for ID cards or for any educational purposes.

aslam alaikum

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/S...=1119503546054

http://youth.ibn.net/qanda3.asp?ID=100

See these links relating to your question.

wa alaikum aslam

Alot of scholars have different opinions on this, but this is one fatwa:

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


We’d like first to state that there is nothing wrong in drawing as long as the images do not depict nudity or other indecent representations. Also, the picture or image should not be revered or glorified. The detested pictures and images are only those, which are worshiped and revered.

Within these restrictions drawing humans, animals, natural scenes, etc. is permitted. What is prohibited is making a statue or a sculpture of a living being that has shade (depth or three dimensional).

Here, we’d like to cite for you the following Fatwa:

"One may draw pictures of people, animals, etc. as long as they don’t depict anything against Islamic guidelines. It is important to understand that Muslims don't replicate 'images' because they believe that on the Day of Judgment, they will be asked to put a soul in the 'images' they made, challenging Allah’s creation. Also, they don't replicate 'images' believing that the Angels will not enter their houses. This is based on several authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

However, in the Arabic Language, what we call Sourah or commonly translated as 'image' can mean several things, and in the context of the prohibition, it means a statute or a sculpture of a living being that has shade (depth or three dimensional) and not a photographic picture.

Therefore, while statutes are prohibited, pictures in magazines, televisions, newspapers, books, computers, drawings, etc. are allowed. Such pictures can however be prohibited if they depict nudity or other indecent representations. But even being allowed, they should be done when necessary and not to pass time."

The above Fatwa is excerpted with slight modifications from www.islamicity.com


You can also read:

Fatwa on Photography

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.