Taking Pictures of Animate Objects is impermissible, what about LOOKING at such pictures??

Answered by muftionline.co.za

The object and purpose of producing a picture is that it be viewed and admired. otherwise there would be no reason for one to produce a picture.

Hence we understand that the one who intentionally looks at a picture of an animate object is condoning the action of picture-making.

Thus we understand that just as it is impermissible to produce a picture of an animate object, similarly it is impermissible for one to keep it in his possession,  intentionally view it or circulate it.

N.B: Hazrat Mufti Shafee’ Saahib (rahmatullah alaih) has mentioned in his kitaab: “Tasweer ke Shari’ Ahkaam” (pg. 89) that this ruling (of the impermissibility of intentionally viewing the picture of an animate object)  is categorically recorded in the Maaliki kitaabs and since it conforms to the Usools (principles)
of the Hanafi Mazhab, it is accepted. This principle has also been confirmed by ‘Allamah Shaami (rahmatullah alaih).

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

وهذا كله مصرح في مذهب المالكية و مؤيد بقواعد مذهبنا ، ونصه عن المالكية ما ذكره العلامة الدردير في شرحه علي مختصر الخليل حيث قال يحرم تصوير حيوان عاقل أو غيره اذا كان كامل الاعضاء اذا كان يدوم وكذا ان لم يدم علي الراجح كتصويره من نحو قشر بطيخ ويحرم النظر اليه اذ النظر الي المحرم لحرام (بلوغ القصد والمرام ص19)

كما في رد المحتار من باب الرجعة فصل التحليل ذكر الفقيه ابو الليث في تاسيس النظائر اذا لم يوجد في مذهب الامام قول في المسئلة يرجع الي مذهب مالك لانه اقرب المذاهب اليه (رد المحتار 2/ 583)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee