Pictures & Videos

Q: Is it permissible to take a photo of the back of the head of an animate object, or from below the head down?

Q: There are many t-shirts with pictures of skeletons on them. Are these regarded as animate objects?

Are butterflies as a symbol animate?

Q: When a woman is pregnant she usually has an ultrasound at each visit. Will it be permissible to keep the baby scan and show others? Does it fall under the same catergory as taking a CT or ultrasound scan of any part of the body?

Q: I do bodybuilding. Is it permissible for me to post my physique on social media as I heard from someone that it is being arrogant and so it is haraam.

So is it permissible for me to post my physique pics and videos on insta which show my muscle (if I am covering my awrah; navel to knee)?

Q: Previously I asked about looking at digital photography and the answer was it is impermissible. So now, as a person who watches it often on YouTube for various ilm and also for research and enjoyment, how do I give it up? It’s not that easy to just give it up overnight and as a person who video calls often, what are some advices for me to stop this habit?

I’m not in a situation where I am watching any women or anything, it’s generally some reviews by men or bayaans and lectures.

Q: Majority of the Ummah engages in watching TV, be it movies or shows or sports, at night. Kindly advise as to how this can be eradicated and what are substitutions that individuals and/or families can engage in at night.

Q: Lately, there was a movie documentary that was released on hajj. This documentary was compiled using videos captured during this year’s hajj (2023), and it was being shown in the cinema in Killarney Mall in Johannesburg.

In this movie, there are many interviews of women. The labbaik is played together with music, and there are even Ulama who appear in the movie.

It is said that the purpose behind the production of this movie is to educate Muslims and non-Muslims regarding Islam and the beauty of hajj.

What is the Islamic ruling regarding producing, watching and promoting such a movie?

Q: I follow the opinion of Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen regarding piracy where he says: "In my view, if a person copies them for his own personal use, there is no harm in that. However, if he copies them for trade purposes, this is not permissible since it involves causing harm to others."

I use a website to download youtube videos for personal use so I can share them with family. Is this permissible as I know there can be issues with copyright in some countries. I’m from the UK. In cases like this, when does the ‘law of the land’ take precedence over Shari’ah? If ever? I don’t really fear any legal consequences although I know there are copyright laws here.

Q: Is it permissible to make a marriage public via social media?

For example, since a marriage must be made public, can I post a photo of my spouse and me together on Instagram since I will then have more than two witnesses? Does that meet the condition of making marriage public, which the Prophet insisted upon?

Q: Is it permissible to take photos of animals, not as a job but as a hobby?