Photography In Islam

As Muslims it is rather essential for us to understand Islamic laws and the limitations that govern different aspects of our lives and abide by them. Art is no exception therefore as Muslim artists we are obliged to integrate Islamic principles to contemporary art styles rather than simply copying them as they are. Photography as a medium of art is not prohibited in Islam, but some scholars condemn the usage of living creatures as subjects for photographs. The essay would discuss photography in Islam; sectioned into four paragraphs that highlight my opinion as well as that of my family, and the opinion of a number of Islamic Ulama.

My personal assessment of photography in Islam at this point is indeterminable. Nonetheless due to different influences whether from family members, or from listening to different views of a myriad number of Ulama. I have formulated an opinion which greatly influences how I conduct my photography and art. While most Muslims agree upon the prohibition of sculpturing and drawing of the human figure or animals, photography is rather more complicated. The prohibition of photography in regards to picturing Allah living creatures (Humans & animals) has been an unsolved dilemma among Islamic scholars, and not necessarily Ulama. From my personal understanding the issue arises from the inability to formulate an absolute verdict on the issue of whether it is Haram or Halal. This is the result of disagreement between Ulama who prohibit photography and other scholars who argue that photography is very different from sculpturing. Even though some Ulama prohibit photography completely, I do not particularly agree with their verdict. We live in a world in which our pictures are being constantly taking for a number of purposes, as well as taking pictures for educational matters. In my opinion what I believe to be prohibited and against our beliefs is using photography for immoral and improper purposes such as nude photography or sometimes portrait photography that is strictly for artistic reason. While some ulama forbid taking pictures even of family events for example weddings, other ulama allow it as long as it is not displayed around the household. I find myself leaning more towards the second opinion, rather than the first. Nonetheless this does not indicate my willingness to photograph living creatures for artistic purposes. Yet, I do think that some of the arguments made by scholars in regards to photographs being Halal even if the subject is a living creature are reasonable.

My family’s opinion in regards to photography in Islam highly varies. The two most influential figures in my family my parents both have contradicting opinions. My father does not consider photographing living creatures Haram; he explains that photography is not the same as sculpturing. He justifies it by mentioning that unlike in sculpturing we are not creating we are merely capturing an already existing moment. He says before making judgments we need to understand the technicality of the camera and the way it operates. His opinion is shared with his friends, who are all amateur photographers. In his opinion whether it is Haram or Halal depends on the concept behind the photograph. On the other hand, my mother is an ardent believer in the prohibition of using living creatures as subjects in any form of art, even photography. She prevents us from displaying any photographs in the household. In her opinion there are no grey areas in religion, it is either Haram or Halal, and since Ulama prohibit it in drawing and sculpturing, photography is no exception. The rest of my family, which includes my aunties and brother either share the same opinion with my father or my mother.

Unfortunately neither I nor my parents have looked into the matter in depth; our opinions are based on a very vague knowledge of the matter. A considerable number of Ulama and scholars have looked into the issue, particularly now that photography is becoming ever more popular. As mentioned previously there are different verdicts in regards to the prohibition of photography in Islam. Sheik Abd Alazeez bin Abduallah bin Baz issued a fatwa in which he condemned photographing all living creatures, supporting it with a prosperous number of Qur'anic versus as well as Hadeths. Nonetheless Bin Baz explains that it is allowed only if it is absolutely needed such as for passports or if it is for the common good of the community such as keeping a photographic record of criminals. Even though some Ulama allow having photographs as a memory as long as they are not displayed, Sheik bin Baz completely disregards this, explaining that it is only Halal when photographing tangible objects or trees, mountains…etc. In his fatwa Bin Baz warns as well from photographing leaders and social figures and displaying their photographs, as that may lead to people glorifying them. Bin Baz does not differentiate between sculpturing, drawing and photographing of living creatures. A second Sheikh is Mohammed Al Orafi, who mentioned that photography is not prohibited as long as it coincides with Islamic principles. A fatwa issued by the Permanent Committee in Saudi, prohibits all types of ‘Tasweer’ of living creatures, regardless of the medium that is used. Others would explain that since ‘Tasweer’ in Hadeths was referring to sculptors and that which have a shadow as well as it being made by humans; photography does not fit the previous conditions.

Previous to conducting the research I did not realize how important of a matter it is. Now I better understand the reasons behind the Fatwa of some Ulama. My opinion hasn’t changed completely; I still wouldn’t choose living creatures as a subject for my photography, however I do believe that it depends in which context are living creatures being photographed. Nonetheless this research was merely a brief beginning and I would hopefully continue further research into the subject to fully comprehend it.