The Ruling on Photography in the Sacred Precinct

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Question:
The questioner asks: What is the ruling on one who engages excessively in photography in the Haram, treating the Haram as if it were a place for tourism and entertainment?

Answer:
Photography is forbidden in the Haram and elsewhere, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the image-makers and informed that they are the most severely punished of people on the Day of Resurrection, and that they are the most unjust of the unjust. He said (peace and blessings be upon him), in what he narrated from the Holy Hadith, that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says:

Who are most unjust than those who try to create

ومن أظلم ممن ذهب يخلق

Sahih al-Bukhari 7559

among His creation, because they are image-makers, meaning image-makers. Photography is forbidden, strictly forbidden, a major sin among the major sins. And if it is in the Haram, it is a grave transgression.

and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] or wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.

وَمَن يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍ بِظُلْمٍ نُّذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

[Al-Hajj 22:25]

Therefore, photography is not permissible, neither in the Haram nor elsewhere, but it is more severe in the Haram, refuge is sought in Allah.

The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.

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