The Ruling on the Use of Images in Islamic Media

Question:
The questioner says: A number of specialists in Islamic media are demanding the necessity of using images and photography in visual and written media material, and that it has become a necessity to confront pornographic and scientific media. Do you agree with this statement? If the answer is prohibition, what is your view on a practical, realistic solution to confront the aggressive media assault through satellite channels and others?

Answer:
It is not permissible to make images; rather, one must be cautious of this, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and what is established from him that he cursed the one who consumes riba (usury or interest) and the one who gives it, the woman who tattoos and the one who gets tattooed, and he cursed the makers of images. He said, Therefore, it is not permissible to use images of living beings. However, what sufficed the first generations will suffice the later ones: informing people, whether through media or otherwise, without using images, saying so-and-so did such-and-such, or so-and-so did such-and-such. This is not permissible, and this statement is not permissible. Just as it sufficed the era of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the era of the Companions, the era of the blessed centuries, and the past eras, it will suffice the later generations. As Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "The end of affairs will not be set right except by what set right the beginning." Therefore, what is obligatory for the later generations is what was obligatory for the first generations: holding fast to the law of Allah and being cautious of what contradicts it. Allah the Exalted said, "So hold firmly to what is given to you," and He said, "Believe," and He said, and He said, and He said, a city. So no one has the right to innovate in the law of Allah what is not heard.