Pictures & Videos

Q: By keeping a photo of a person who has passed away have any effect on the deceased, like any punishment on the deceased etc?

Q: Can one display frames of the Holy Ka'bah with people making Tawaaf?

Q: What constitutes as a prohibited picture?

1. If the eyes are only removed, does it still remain a prohibited picture?
2. Is a Taweez with a face, eyes included permitted?
3. What type of dolls are children allowed to play with?
4. Can one sell prohibited pictures or commodities with prohibited pictures on them?

Q: What is the verdict on taking photographs? Recently in many newspapers prominent masajid & organizations were photographed after distribution of aid, blankets etc. could the maslah be explained please?

Q: Does the following Ahaadith apply to photos of nature, landscapes, what about wildlife?

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “The people who will receive the severest punishment on the day of judgment are the picture makers (of animate objects).”

The severity of photography is leaving our muslim community. When a sin becomes widespread, it is taken very lightly. We never imagined that this day will come, when let alone taking photographs, with the cell-phone almost everyone has become a camera-man videoing day to day outings and get togethers.

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Every picture maker will be in the fire. For every picture that he makes, a living being will be created and will punish him in jahannam.”

As a muslim our firm Imaan will protect us from all forms of photography. Be it on the cell phone, computer screen or our photographs appearing in magazines and newspapers. Many of us may have stopped taking photographs, let us now complete our repentance by erasing all stored images and by destroying all old albums containing our past photographs. May Allah Ta’ala protect and guide us all. Aameen!

Q: I am an art student, am I allowed to draw figures like batman, judge dredd, Michael Jackson, etc whose eyes are covered by a mask or a hat? Can I draw the mouth, ears, nose, etc as long as I don't draw the eyes?

Is the probition in Islam only about drawing eyes? Am I allowed to draw skulls which have empty eye sockets?

Q: Kindly advise us regarding on the following issues when they are done / used for educational purposes:

1. Using text books or magazines, posters or any such literature which has animated pictures in them.
2. Using caricature (cartoon) type of pictures when making a syllabus, specifically when we want to use them in preparing our own Arabic language syllabus. 

Q: I would like to know whether the usage of skype to talk to my relatives abroad is permissible or not? Will it fall under picture making? Skype is live streaming?

Q: I wanted to know are the cartoons that look like humans halaal. Sometimes there might be a girl above the knee shows but private is covered and it’s not a real girl it’s a cartoon so is it halal. Please give proof if there is any.

Q: Is watching TV haram? Can you watch Islamic programs and what do you say to a scholar who says no one can say it is haraam?