Women uploading their own profile photos on LinkedIn and Instagram

Q: Is it a sin to upload my own profile photo on LinkedIn or Instagram? I avoid it but almost all modest women upload their pictures. It is so tempting. What is the ruling?

A: It is haraam. You cannot call women who upload pictures of themselves modest. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has sounded severe warnings regarding pictures. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “The people to be inflicted with the worst punishment will be the picture makers." Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has cursed the one who receives interest, the one who gives interest, the tattooist, the tattooed and the picture maker. The hadeeth also explains that the angels of mercy do not enter a home in which there is a picture of an animate object.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)