Ruling on Recording Lectures with a Video Device

Q: What is the ruling on recording lectures with a video device to benefit from them in other places so that the benefit is widespread?

A: This is a matter requiring careful consideration. Recording them on audio tapes is a required matter and does not require the image. However, the image may be needed at times to know and verify that the speaker is so-and-so, as the image clarifies the speaker. It may also be for other reasons. Therefore, I have some hesitation regarding this, due to the hadiths concerning the ruling on imaging beings with souls and the severity of the warning in that matter. Although some of my brothers among the scholars have opined that there is no harm in it for the sake of public benefit, I have some hesitation in such a case because of the great danger in imaging and the authentic hadiths in the two Sahihs and others stating that the most severely punished people on the Day of Resurrection are the imagers, and the hadiths cursing the imagers, among other hadiths. And success is from Allah.