Image-making of living beings by camera or other photographic devices
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The fourth question of Fatwa No. ( 2358 ):
Q4: Is it permissible to take photographs with a camera (photographic device)? Is it permissible to use television? And is it permissible to watch television, especially in the news?
A4: It is not permissible to take photographs of living beings with a camera or other photographic devices, nor to possess or keep images of living beings, except out of necessity, such as images in an ID card or passport. In that case, it is permissible to take and keep them due to the necessity. As for television, it is a device that has no ruling attached to it in itself; rather, the ruling is attached to its use. If it is used for what is forbidden, such as lewd singing,
displaying alluring images, joking, lying, fabricating, atheism, distorting the truth, inciting discord, and the like, then that is forbidden. If it is used for good, such as reciting the Qur'an, clarifying the truth, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and the like, then that is permissible. If it is used for both, the ruling is prohibition if the two are equal or if the aspect of evil predominates. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q4: Is it permissible to take photographs with a camera (photographic device)? Is it permissible to use television? And is it permissible to watch television, especially in the news?
A4: It is not permissible to take photographs of living beings with a camera or other photographic devices, nor to possess or keep images of living beings, except out of necessity, such as images in an ID card or passport. In that case, it is permissible to take and keep them due to the necessity. As for television, it is a device that has no ruling attached to it in itself; rather, the ruling is attached to its use. If it is used for what is forbidden, such as lewd singing,
displaying alluring images, joking, lying, fabricating, atheism, distorting the truth, inciting discord, and the like, then that is forbidden. If it is used for good, such as reciting the Qur'an, clarifying the truth, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and the like, then that is permissible. If it is used for both, the ruling is prohibition if the two are equal or if the aspect of evil predominates. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.