Can someone please give me a straight answer to why some people accept photography in Islam while others reject it?
I went to an old friends wedding recently and her in-laws are so strict on the fact that the girl doesn’t have a single photograph of her and her husband from their wedding day!
Is it really that forbidden?
All views welcome as this is an open discussion…
Re: the Islamic view on Photography
^ AOA WRWB
(Assalam O Ala Manitaba al huda)
Which kind of photography (pictures making) are we talking about:
There are many types:
1. TV (moving pictures) / cinema / live camera shots
2. Still pictures or photos of living (animate) objects
3. Still picture of non-living (inanimate) objects
etc
I ask this becuase the ruling for each is different.
The rulings in islam regarding lawfullness of something depends on its nature entirely.
In general photos of living things made for the purpose of enjoyment, memory collections etc. are not allowed. Not permitted.
But if the nature of the picture changes, then its ruling changes.
E.g., smoking is considered makruh to haraam depending upon which scholar you refer to on it.
But if tomorrow they invent a cigarette that actually is for the pupose of inhaling a medicing that helps people, the ruling will change for "smoking" that type of a cigarette. Or if in a particular disease (who knows what will be discovered tomorrow) smoking tobacco is recommended as a cure then the ruling will change.
So, now since I have your interest, if the picture :
1. is of a video of a lecture of a scholar for education, then according to many, that is allowed. But again near some even that is not recommended. (these are very strict scholars of Saudi Arabia and some from INDOPAK).
I will not say they are from that sect or this madhab because that is irrelevant here.
2. is a picture of a girl or man for a marriage proposal and is solely for that purpose and no other people except the bride/groom to be will look at that or maybe that parents, then in most cases it is allowed.
3. It is a picture of a crime seen or a video for that matter of a security camera or such , it is allowed and infact wajib near some scholars to have that.
4. It is a picture of a medical patient for treatment (will include x-rays, MRIs, CTs etc.) it is alllowed and again wajib near some scholars to have that.
5. It is a picture / video of an accident to show who is at fault etc.. it is allowed.
Any clearer?
Re: the Islamic view on Photography
Thank you Mr Antumul Alona
You've said a lot in detail...going into health reasons and all that.
So, if I may drift off the original topic I'd like to ask you another question:
Like you explained about rulings changing given purpose...then medically speaking doctors have said that a single glass of red wine is good for the health! Yet many Muslims forbid alcohol completely. Doesn't Islam teach us how to control ourselves, so for health reason why do we become so bad that we can't control ourselves with a single glass of red wine to better our health? Yet openly smoke several cigarettes that do nothing but damage our health?
And now, gradually drifting back onto the topic...isn't laughter and happiness meant to be good for the spirit and well being of a person? Sharing memories (in photographs with 'everyone') brings joy to many people...so what's wrong with that?
Please don't be offended, but you make Islam sound boring. If it was so restricting and it was written so clearly as you make it out to be, then why don't all Muslims think the same way?
I asked this question about the Islamic view on photography because for a long time now I've heard a lot of contradicting views on the subject and as you are the only one who has put his view forward I am left thinking that everyone on this site must share your views? But I have heard different views on different Islamic Channels! I just don't think it was fair to deprive that girl of one of her most precious memories because of the reasons you have outlined.
I apologise again if I have come across out of line, but I can't deny that this is something I feel passionately about and would like to hear more on the topic. Because to forbid something for bringing enjoyment to peoples lives doesn't sound right to me!
Re: the Islamic view on Photography
This is a matter for phsysicists, not jurists.
The mechanisms used by cameras and videos is exactly that used by the eye...so I suggest if any scholar dismiss the use of the former, he should pluck out his eyes.
Re: the Islamic view on Photography
The mechanisms used by cameras and videos is exactly that used by the eye...so I suggest if any scholar dismiss the use of the former, he should pluck out his eyes.
Thank you for your view on the topic.
After reading what your comment, I realised that unlike the mind's eye, the printed photograph does not distort the truth. The human eye can see something and the mind can distort the image in many ways, right and wrong.
On the other hand, a good Muslim would walk with his/her eyes down and not risk witnessing a sinful image.
But, how many Muslim's actually follow that? So, yes many Muslims should 'pluck out their eyes' if the camera is forbidden.
When I was a student, in the town I was studying in, the Muslims would throw paint over billboards containing images of women stating it was causing them to break their wazu on their way to mosque. These men were obviously not keeping their eyes lowered, and so dirty were their minds that they could not control their thoughts from seeing a photo of a woman. For a good God fearing man, even a naked woman in front of should not make him lose control...it is wrong to say that men have an animal instinct. I know many men of different religions who do have this self control!