Islamic ruling on taking photos

It should be clarified that severe warnings have been mentioned in the blessed Ahadith regarding making images of living beings. For this reason, the jurists have declared making and having images and videos of living beings made to be haram and impermissible, regardless of whether they are made using any device, camera, mobile phone, etc.

Therefore, taking photographs or making videos of living beings also falls under the ruling of image-making. The mere difference that an image is made by hand or through a camera, mobile phone, or any other device does not change the original ruling. Similarly, it is not permissible to adopt as a profession work that involves making images or videos of living beings or editing such images and videos.

However, in cases of extreme necessity, permission has been given to have a photograph taken for purposes such as a passport, identity card, etc. It should nevertheless be kept in mind that the prohibition of image-making itself does not cease merely because a photograph is taken due to compulsion or necessity. However, the person who has a photograph taken due to genuine necessity is not sinful; rather, the sin lies upon those who have imposed such laws.

Therefore, in the situation mentioned in the question, taking, making, or having a photograph of any living being taken without an extreme necessity is impermissible and haram, whether the image is drawn by hand or made using any device. Likewise, making an album containing photographs of living beings is also Islamically impermissible and haram.

Blessed Ahadith:

It is narrated from Sayyidah Aishah (رضی اللہ عنہا) that the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said:

««أشد الناس عذاباً يوم القيامة الذين يضاهون بخلق الله»»

Translation: Sayyidah Aishah (رضی اللہ عنہا) narrates from the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) that he said:

“The people who will receive the most severe punishment on the Day of Judgment are those who imitate the creation of Allah Almighty.”

Reference: Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 2, p. 518, Hadith: 4495, published by Al-Maktab Al-Islami, Beirut.

Also: Mazahir-e-Haq Jadeed, Vol. 4, p. 229, published by Dar al-Isha'at.

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضی اللہ عنہ) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) saying:

««أشد الناس عذاباً عند الله المصورون»»

Translation: “The people who will be subjected to the most severe punishment in the sight of Allah are the image-makers.”

Reference: Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 2, p. 519, Hadith: 4497, published by Al-Maktab Al-Islami, Beirut.

Also: Mazahir-e-Haq Jadeed, Vol. 4, p. 230, published by Dar al-Isha'at.

In another blessed Hadith, it is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضی اللہ عنہما) that the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said:

««كل مصور في النار يجعل له بكل صورة صورها نفسا فيعذبه في جهنم»»

Translation: “Every image-maker will be in Hell. For every image that he made, a person will be created who will punish the image-maker in Hell.”

Reference: Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 2, p. 519, Hadith: 4497, published by Al-Maktab Al-Islami, Beirut.

Furthermore, other blessed Ahadith mention regarding images of living beings that on the Day of Judgment, the image-maker will be commanded to breathe life into the image, but he will not be able to do so. It is also mentioned that the angels of mercy do not enter a house in which there is an image of a living being or a dog.

And Allah Almighty knows best.