The Ruling on Photography with Cameras and the Types of Photography

The questioner:
I am an employee in one of the sectors of the General Security Directorate, and my job requires me to photograph criminals, such as forgers and others, using cameras, which are known as solar photos. Is there any sin on me for doing this? We also wish for Your Eminence to clarify for us the types of forbidden photography, and whether there is a difference between three-dimensional photography, photographic photography, and video photography, hoping that Your Eminence will give me a comprehensive ruling?

The Shaykh:
Photography is originally forbidden. The photography of living beings is originally forbidden, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) generalized and specified, saying (peace and blessings be upon him) , and it is agreed upon as authentic. He also said (peace and blessings be upon him) , and it is agreed upon. He also said (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic hadith: "The most severely punished people by my Lord on the Day of Resurrection are the image-makers." Other hadiths with the same meaning came, such as the hadith of Abu Juhayfa in al-Bukhari that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the one who consumes riba (usury or interest) and the one who gives it, and he cursed the image-maker. These hadiths all indicate the prohibition of photography if it has a shadow, and the three-dimensional type is more severe. The one with a shadow, which is the three-dimensional type, is forbidden according to all scholars. As for what has no shadow, which is what is in paints and paper, this is forbidden according to the majority of scholars. There is a weak opinion among some of the Salaf regarding this, and the correct view is that it is forbidden like the three-dimensional type, because the hadiths are general. However, an exception is made for what necessity calls for, such as photographing criminals whose evil is widespread in order to arrest and seek them out. This is for necessity. He, Exalted and Majestic is He, said: So if criminals are photographed to be identified so that they can be caught when found, some scholars have permitted this for necessity. Likewise, what concerns the documents that people confuse and dispute over, a group of scholars who witnessed this matter permitted it and legislated it for the sake of necessity, to know the owners of the documents so that some do not forge them for others, and so that it is not taken as a means for corruption on earth. This and its like are matters of necessity; otherwise, the original ruling is the prohibition of it.
As for what concerns photography on television and video, this is a matter of disagreement among scholars today. Some of them permitted it from the perspective of benefiting the Muslims, and that if these devices are left for photographing criminals, callers to falsehood, and callers to corruption on earth, it harms people. So if someone enters it to spread the truth, call to the truth, warn against falsehood, and record films that benefit people, and there is a benefit for the Muslims in this, then scholars have differed in their ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) on this. Those who permitted it considered the general benefit for the Muslims so that they can benefit from these films, and from this representation that has entered people’s lives in every place, and regarding women and narcotics in their homes. For this reason, some scholars entered this field, gave sermons, mentioned it, and warned from this door. Before that, they had stopped (refrained) due to the prohibition of images, and they did not approve of what was in their hearts of doubt and suspicion regarding its permissibility. I am among those who have stopped (refrained) from this matter. For this reason, I did not proceed to appear on television regarding the call to Allah the Exalted and answering questions and the like, all of which is due to the refraining from the permissibility of this, along with the hadiths indicating the prohibition of photography, and the satisfaction with photography. Indeed, the one who is satisfied that he is being photographed is feared to be entering into the prohibition, even if he has an interpretation, and even if he has a shortcoming in his protection, he is feared for. For this reason, some scholars have refrained in this issue. And whoever has entered has preferred the general benefit and the call to Allah, and hoped that he is not entering into the prohibition; because he is like the one who is coerced and the one who is necessitated to enter for the sake of the general benefit. And Allah is the One to whom repentance is sought. Yes.

Another questioner:
May Allah keep you safe.

The Shaykh:
I say nothing about this except the greeting from the matters of people.