What is the ruling on photography with a video camera and the like?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : What is the ruling on photography with a video camera and the like?
The Shaykh : As for photography with a video camera, there is nothing wrong with it, except if it is used to film something forbidden, such as filming young boys, or filming a wedding celebration or the like, where there is fitnah (trial, discord or temptation); in that case, it is forbidden. However, if a man goes out with his family for a picnic and wants to film their trip, there is nothing wrong with it. Likewise, if he wants to film lectures, seminars, or gatherings of knowledge, there is nothing wrong with it. As for the still camera, this is not permissible except only when there is a pressing need. A pressing need is like a driver's license, proof of identity, and the like. I said this because those who photograph for purposes other than these necessary ones keep them as they say, "for the sake of memory," and keeping photographs is forbidden, except for what is required by pressing need.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : What is the ruling on photography with a video camera and the like?
The Shaykh : As for photography with a video camera, there is nothing wrong with it, except if it is used to film something forbidden, such as filming young boys, or filming a wedding celebration or the like, where there is fitnah (trial, discord or temptation); in that case, it is forbidden. However, if a man goes out with his family for a picnic and wants to film their trip, there is nothing wrong with it. Likewise, if he wants to film lectures, seminars, or gatherings of knowledge, there is nothing wrong with it. As for the still camera, this is not permissible except only when there is a pressing need. A pressing need is like a driver's license, proof of identity, and the like. I said this because those who photograph for purposes other than these necessary ones keep them as they say, "for the sake of memory," and keeping photographs is forbidden, except for what is required by pressing need.