PHOTO IN ISLAM

الصور في الإسلام

PHOTO IN ISLAM 

  

In view of unprecedented development in print and electronic media, particularly TV, Internet and Video phones, it is important that we  understand the issue of 'pictures' in Islam in its proper perspective.

The opinions of Islamic scholars are divided on this subject.  We have explained below important facts  in this context in the light of Quran and Ahadith.

 

AS PER QURAN

DRAWING / TAKING / HANGING OF PICTURES FOR GOOD PURPOSES IS ALLOWED IN ISLAM
  

(1) It is in Quran -   وَاتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِن بَعْدِهِ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُ خُوَارٌ ۚأَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّهُ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ وَلَا يَهْدِيهِمْ سَبِيلًا ۘ اتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُوا ظَالِمِينَ (Meaning - The people of (Prophet) Musa ( علیھ السلا م ) made in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it for worship and they did wrong. (Al-Araf - 148).

(2) It is in Quran -   وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ رُشْدَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَالِمِينَ-  إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَا هَـٰذِهِ التَّمَاثِيلُ الَّتِي أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَاكِفُونَ - قَالُوا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا لَهَا عَابِدِينَ- قَالَ لَقَدْ كُنتُمْ أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُمْ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ    (Meaning - We bestowed aforetime on Abraham ( علیھ السلا م ) his righteousness of conduct, and well were We (Allah - swt) acquainted with him. Behold! He (Abraham -  علیھ السلا م ) said to his father  (the brother of his father whom he used to call father out of affection) and his people, "What are these images, to which you are (so assiduously) devoted?" They said, "We found our fathers worshiping them." He said, "Indeed you have been in manifest error, you and your fathers." (Al-Anbiya - 51-54).

(3) It is in Quran  -   يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ ۚ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ  ( Meaning - They worked for him (Prophet Sulaiman - علیھ السلا م) as he desired, (making) arches, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places):"Work O'Sons of David (علیھ السلا م)with thanks! but few of My servants are grateful!". (Saba - 13).

The first Quranic verse says that in the absence of  Prophet Musa ( علیھ السلا م ) some people made an image of a Calf for worship.  This act on their part was wrong.

The second Quranic verses say that some people in Prophet Ibrahim's ( علیھ السلا م ) time made some images and worshiped them.  This act on their part was wrong.

The third Quranic verse says that some people worked as per the orders of Prophet Sulaiman ( علیھ السلا م ) and made images.  This act on their part was right.  Why?  Because these images were not meant for worship.

The above Quranic verses confirm the fact that the intention behind making images has to be virtuous.  Images made with bad intention (for worship) are disallowed and images made out of good intention are allowed in Islam.

 

AS PER AHADITH
DRAWING / TAKING PICTURES OR EVEN MAKING  DOLLS (HUMAN OR ANIMAL SHAPES) FOR GOOD PURPOSES IS ALLOWED IN ISLAM
  

(1) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) - "I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)   would call them to join and play with me.  (Bukhari).  

(2) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) "When the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) arrived after the expedition of Tabuk or Khaybar (the narrator is doubtful), the drought raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her. He asked: What is this? She replied: My dolls. Among them he saw a horse with wings made of rags, and asked: What is this I see among them? She replied: A horse. He asked: What is this that it has on it? She replied: Two wings. He asked: A horse with two wings? She replied: Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings? She said: Thereupon the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth. (Abu Dawud).

From above Ahadith, we can draw the following conclusions.

(1) Pictures drawn, taken or even making shapes of human beings or animals is allowed in Islam provided they are made for some good purpose; even as play things for  children.

(2) Pictures can be drawn in text books / drawing books / black boards, etc.,  to explain various subjects to students.

(3) Pictures can be drawn / taken  for scientific and technological research and education at Colleges, Universities and laboratories.

(4) Human / Animal models can be made for scientific research and education.

(5) Medical fraternity can work on dead bodies of humans and animals for their education and research.  They can record their findings by way of pictures.

(6) Pictures can be taken and used for Passports / I-Cards  / Driver licenses / social security and a host of other requirements.

(7) Pictures of Islamic scholars / Shuyooks can be drawn / printed in books for identification.  

(8) Islamic scholars / Shuyooks can appear on TVs, Internet and Videophones to explain Islamic issues to people.

(9) Pictures can be taken for security purposes.  Surveilance cameras can be placed at places where there is risk of theft and/or life security of the people.

(10) Pictures of family members can be drawn / taken with the help of a Camera.  Since these pictures are used as a remembrance for the following generations, these can be  hanged on walls.    

(11) As we respect our elders, similarly, we  must respect their pictures. No one would like to place picture of his father / Shaikh on the floor and walk over it.  This will be a show of utmost disrespect. Reverence is different from worship.  Some people argue that reverence is the first step, which is usually followed by worship.  This argument does not hold good for Muslims because  they clearly know the difference between reverence and worship.  It is in Sahih Ahadith (Bukhari, Muslim and others)  that we can kiss hands and feet of our parents and Shaikhs as a mark of respect (Refer many Ahadith in Adab al Mufrad written by Imam Bukhari - رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) . This is a show of reverence which has been allowed in Islam.  While kissing the feet, our posture becomes almost similar to 'prostration'. However, there is a difference between prostration and kissing of feet.

It is in Hadith - Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)said "the deeds of a person depends upon his intention'. Therefore when we are bowing in front of our Shaikh to kiss his feet, our intention is 'to kiss his feet' (not prostrate), which is allowed in Islam.  Prostration of reverence is prohibited in Islam but kissing of feet of our elders /religious shuyooks is sunnah which is proved from many Ahadith. 

It is in Hadith - Hazrat Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) kissed the hands and feet of Hazrat Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) (Bukhari - Adab Al Mufrad, Hadith No. 976). 

Similarly, we should also respect the pictures of our parents and Shuyooks and can hang them on the walls of homes / offices for their remembrance and reverence.

In Saudi Arabia we see the pictures of their kings hanging on the walls of every Government office, Universities and importance buildings.  This is done as  remembrance and a mark of respect and reverence to their kings.  We also see all Saudi/Salafi newspapers publishing the pictures of their Ulema/people/royal family members freely on print media/newspapers/internet.

We also see live pictures of Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid-e-Nabawi Shareef five times a day during congregational prayers there.  During these telecasts, Muslims all over the world see live pictures of Rawda-e-Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Aalihi Wa Sallam) and Khana-e-Kab'a, and thousands of people live video praying  5  times a day on their televisions.  Similarly Hajj is broadcasted live on TV stations all over the world.

 Muslims all over the world hang pictures of Prophet Mohammad's(صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) Green Dome, Masjid-e-Nabawi, Ka'abatullah, Dargah of Awliya Allah and Shuyooks on the walls of their homes and office as remembrance and mark of respect and reverence. Whenever they look at these pictures, they get reminded of Allah Ta'ala and Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) which helps them in strengthening their religious bond and their commitment to do virtuous deeds. 

   

 

CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF AHADITH

Many of us will be surprised to know that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) never had to pay Zakat. Why, because, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) never kept anything for himself or his family that entitles him to pay Zakat. Whatever (money) the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)had in his hand, he used to give to the needy on the same day. Similarly, Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to stand in prayers during nights and it is in Ahadith that his feet used to get swelled.  Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to keep continuous fast, sometimes 5 days or more in a row. Sahaba (رضئ اللھ تعالی عنہم اجمعین) tried to emulate, but could not do so. Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) did not like to wear costly clothing. Most of the time he and his family members used to wear simple cloths. Also Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) did not like his family members keep costly things at homes.     

(1) It is in Hadith -  Narrated Ibn Umar: Once the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) went to the house of Fatima (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) but did not enter it. 'Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) came and she told him about that. When 'Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) about it, he said, "I saw a  (multicolored) decorated curtain on her door. I am not interested in worldly things."  'Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) went to Fatima (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and told her about it. Fatima (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said, "I am ready to dispense with it in the way the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) suggests." The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) ordered her to send it to such-and-such needy people."  (Bukhari - Book #47, Hadith #783).

The above Hadith clearly establishes the fact that though Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) did not like his daughter Fatima (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) to use the  decorated curtain, but he gave it to a needy Sahabi for use.  This shows that using of decorated curtain is not forbidden (Haraam) in Islam.  However, Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)preferred that his family members maintain utmost simplicity as far as possible.

(2) It is in Hadith - Narrated Busr bin Said(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): That Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated to him something in the presence of Said bin 'Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) who was brought up in the house of Ummul Momineen Maimuna (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا). Zaid(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated to them that Abu Talha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, "The Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a picture." Busr (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said, "Later on Zaid bin Khalid (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) fell ill and we called on him. To our surprise we saw a curtain  decorated with pictures in his house. I said to Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), "Didn't he (i.e. Zaid- رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) tell us about the (prohibition of) pictures?" He said, "But he excepted the embroidery on garments. Didn't you hear him?" I said, "No." He said, "Yes, he did."  (Bukhari - Book # 54, Hadith # 449).

The above Hadith establishes the fact that Sahaba used decorated curtains with pictures in their houses which was allowed by Prophet Mohammad  (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

  

(3) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Anas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ). Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) had a Qiram (a thin marked woolen curtain) with which she had screened one side of her home. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, "Take away this Qiram of yours, as its pictures are still displayed in front of me during my prayer"  (Bukhari - Book # 8, Hadith # 371).

The above Hadith establishes the fact that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) removed the curtain as the pictures on it were visible in front of him during the prayers.  If the pictures were Haram, then Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) would not have allowed the curtain to remain there in the first place. 

(4) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Al-Qasim (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): 'Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said that she hung a curtain decorated with pictures (of animates) on a cupboard. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) tore that Curtain and she turned it into two cushions which remained in the house for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)  to sit on. (Bukhari - Book # 43, Hadith # 659).

  

The above Hadith establishes the fact that though the curtain was tore, but it was used for cushions for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) which he used it.

(5) It is in Hadith - Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said: I stuffed for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) a pillow decorated with pictures which looked like a Namruqa (i.e. a small cushion). He came and stood among the people with excitement apparent on his face. I said, "O Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)! What is wrong?" He said, "What is this pillow?" I said, "I have prepared this pillow for you, so that you may recline on it." He said, "Don't you know that angels do not enter a house wherein there are pictures; and whoever makes a picture will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be asked to give life to (what he has created)?  (Bukhari - Book # 44, Hadith # 447)  

It is obvious that the pictures on the cushion were objectionable, therefore, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) declined to use that cushion.
  
In wahhabi/Salafi translations of that Hadith, they have added the word "animals" in brackets.  They translated the Hadith as follows:

"Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said: I stuffed for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) a pillow decorated with pictures (of animals) which looked like a Namruqa (i.e. a small cushion). "

In another Ahadith of Bukhari and also of other Aimma, we have described above that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) allowed Aisha(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) to play with dolls which were made like humans and animals. And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) allowed her to play with them.

Therefore, it is obvious that  (in Hadith # 5 above) the pictures on the cushion were objectionable and this was the reason the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) stopped using that cushion.

Also refer to Hadith # 4 above, it is clearly mentioned that the Prophet(صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used the pillow which contained animated pictures(Hadith Bukhari  Book 43 #, Hadith # 659).

 

PICTURES DRAWN OR TAKEN FOR UNLAWFUL PURPOSES ARE FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM

The following Ahadith clearly specify prohibition of pictures drawn or taken for unlawful purposes like worship, immorality, hatred, satire, etc.

(1) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ummul Momineen Aisha(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) : Um Habiba (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and Um Salama (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) mentioned about a Church they had seen in Ethiopia in which there were pictures. They told the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) about it, on which he said, "If any religious man dies amongst those people (Christians) they would build a place of worship at his grave (considering him to be divine) and make these pictures in it. They will be the worst creature in the sight of Allah Ta'ala on the Day of Resurrection."  (Bukhari - Book #8, Hadith #419).

(2) It is in Hadith - Narrated by  Abu Juhaifa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): "I saw my father buying a slave whose profession was cupping, and ordered that his instruments (of cupping) be broken. I asked him the reason for doing so. He replied, "Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) prohibited taking money for blood, the price of a dog and the earnings of a slave-girl by prostitution; he cursed her who tattoos and her who gets tattooed, the eater of Riba (usury), and the maker of pictures (for bad purposes)". (Bukhari - Book #34, Hadith #440)

(3) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): 'When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) saw pictures in the Ka'ba, he did not enter it till he ordered them to be erased. When he saw (the pictures of Abraham - علیھ السلا م and Ishmael - علیھ السلا م carrying the arrows of divination), he said, "May Allah (Ta'ala) curse them (the Quraish)! By Allah, neither Abraham (علیھ السلا م) nor Ishmael (علیھ السلا م)practiced divination by arrows."  (Bukhari - Book #55, Hadith #571).

(4) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, "Those who make these pictures (for worship) will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to them. 'Make alive what you have created.'  (Bukhari - Book #72, Hadith #835). 

(5) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Said bin Abu Al-Hassan(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) - "While I was with Ibn 'Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ)  a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ)! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these  pictures." Ibn 'Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture (for prohibited usage) will be punished by Allah Ta'ala till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn 'Abbas  (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures, I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other un-animated objects."(Bukhari).

(6) It is in Hadith - "On the Day of Resurrection a neck will stretch forth from Hell; it will have two eyes to see, two ears to hear, and a tongue to speak. It will say, "I have been appointed to take care of three types of people: every arrogant tyrant, every person who called on some deity other than Allah Ta'ala and those who made (forbidden) pictures" (Tirmidhi) 

(7) It is in Hadith - Narrated by  Ummul Momineen Maymunah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) "One morning Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was silent with grief. Ummul Momineen Maymunah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said: Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), I find a change in your mood today. Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said: Gabriel ( علیھ السلا م )  had promised me that he would meet me last night, but he did not meet me. By Allah, he never broke his promises; and Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) spent the day in this sad (mood). Then it occurred to him that there had been a puppy under their cot. He gave an order and it was turned out. He then took some water in his hand and sprinkled it on the place. When it was evening Gabriel ( علیھ السلا م ) met him and he said to him: You promised me that you would meet me the previous night. He said: Yes, but we do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture. So the very next morning he commanded the dogs to be killed. He announced that the dog kept for the orchards should also be killed, but he spared the dog used for the protection of extensive fields (or big gardens). (Muslim).

The above Hadith establishes the fact that keeping dogs as pets inside the houses is prohibited.  However, keeping dogs for self protection or protection of live stock and extensive fields / large gardens is allowed provided they are kept outside the house.

Similarly, hanging of pictures (of deities or  scantily clad film / sport persons or pictures which  are forbidden in Islam) are not allowed to be hanged on the walls of the house.

Why we do not have the picture of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) or other prominent Sahaba?  Why we all Muslims are so sensitive if someone draws an image of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)?

It is because Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) did not permit  people to draw his picture.

   

There are some exclusive Awliya Allah in the world who have direct spiritual access to Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) by way of unveiling (Kashf - spiritual vision) or otherwise. There are some others who see Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in their dreams.  However, no one attempts to draw the picture of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) because he did not allow it during his life time.

There are innumerable Sufi Shaikhs who never allowed their pictures drawn/taken.  Shaikh Mir Momin Ali Quadri (رحمة لله علىـہ) (father of Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri) never allowed his picture taken during his lifetime. It was once on the occasion of the marriage of his eldest son in 1971, a year before his death,  that someone took his picture while he was sitting on a chair.

Similarly, Shaikh Mohammad Badesha Mohiuddin Wajudi al-Qadri(رحمة لله علىـہ) (d -1943) who is the Shaikh of Hazrat Khaled Wajudi al-Qadri (رحمة لله علىـہ) (the Shaikh of Mir Asedullah Quadri), never allowed people to draw /take his picture during his life time.

However, other Shuyooks of Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, viz., Hazrat Mohammad Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui (رحمة لله علىـہ) , Hazrat Khaled Wajudi Quadri (رحمة لله علىـہ) and Hazrat Hussain Shujauddin Siddiqui Quadri (رحمة لله علىـہ) allowed their picture taken and published during their life time.

Currently, some Islamic Scholars and Shuyooks like Shaikh Bashir Farooqi Qadri, Shaikh Akhter Raza Khan, Mufti Faiz Ahmed Owaisi, etc., do not like their pictures appear in public. However, there are many other scholars / Shuyooks who allow their pictures taken and published.  All of them are right in their actions. 

There is some serious debate among Ahle sunnah scholars on this issue in our times.  Differences of opinions among Ulema is tolerated in Islam, therefore this issue should not be allowed to create division among Ahle Sunnah in the world.