Advice on Warning Against Image-Making and Commemorative Photos

Question:
The questioner says: In this time, and unfortunately, there is a great rush by people toward photography and collecting pictures, to the extent that many people carry cameras with them on every occasion and at all times, whether video cameras or others. They justify this action, in addition to their love for it, by citing a fatwa from one who issued a ruling permitting commemorative photos. Since the matter is serious, we hope for your advice to us and to the Muslims.

Answer:
It is not permissible for a Muslim to photograph beings with souls. What is permissible for him to photograph is beings with souls. If he photographs them, he falls under the curse and the anger of Allah and severe punishment. What does he gain in that case except anger, curse, and severe punishment? The Muslim leaves this matter and fears Allah the Exalted and does not follow people in what they are doing. As for the fatwa, if the fatwa contradicts the evidence, it has no value; it has no value, and it will not save you from the punishment on the Day of Resurrection from which a fatwa saves you, because it is a wrong fatwa that contradicts the evidence. Yes, and this is, meaning, a fatwa like this fatwa, because photographic photography is among the deceptions and circumventions of the Shari'ah of Allah. This is not permissible. The Messenger generalized the curse and generalized the prohibition, and we say, no, some photography is lawful. It is not because it is photographic that the Messenger generalized and did not make an exception, and his Shari'ah remains until the Hour occurs. It came with generality, encompassing all images from his time (peace and blessings be upon him) until the Hour occurs. So the one who specifies without evidence is wrong. Yes, and it is not permissible to imitate him or to take his fatwa. Yes.

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, the questioner says.

Answer:
We mentioned that these necessary images are permissible out of necessity necessity. As for anything else, it is not permissible. Yes, depicting beautiful scenery, such as trees, rivers, seas, and mountains, which have no life, is permissible according to the majority of the scholars. Yes.