Photos and Webcam in Islam

Question

I heard from a brother we should not take photos except for passport/visa purpose. But I am here in USA and family and parents being in India, we are able to show our kids and us in photos only. Also, for kids growing in other than their parent country, the only way to identify relations in photos. Right now, my family has gone to India and am able to chat and see them in webcam. Is taking photo /showing in webcam not allowed in Islam? Please clarify.

Answer

Photos and Pictures Picture frames and photographs of animate objects are not permissible. Pictures of inanimate objects e.g. trees, mountains, etc. are permissible. Ahaadeeth on prohibition of pictures and drawings: * * Abu Talha (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or picture.' (Mishkãt vol. 2 p. 385) * Ábdullah ibn Masóod (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'The people with the most severe punishment by Allah will be the picture makers.' (Ibid). * Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates, 'I heard the messenger of Allah saying, "Every picture-maker will be in the fire. A life will be created for every picture that the picture-maker made, and he will be tortured in Hell." If you have to make pictures (says Ibn Abbaas) then make a picture of a tree or such things which are inanimate.' (Bukhari and Muslim) Images on cam-corder/computer: The Ulama differ in their opinions regarding the images that appear on computer/TV and videos. According to some reliable Ulama like Mufti Taqi Usmani Saheb, these are not strictly Tasweer (picture making) as it is not in a durable form - refer to albalagh.net. However, many other reliable Ulama do not differentiate between an image being durable or not. Hence, images on TV and videos is Tasweer and still prohibited. Apart from that, it should be realized that anything placed on the Internet is in public domain. In its passage from source to destination, it is stored on numerous computers and can be retrieved by others, even though it may be deleted right away by sender and receiver. Hence, it is best to exercise abstinence in matters which are doubtful.

And Allah knows best.

Ask Alimah Team

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