The Prohibition Of Picture Making

Main Topic

The lecture addresses how the normalization of prohibited actions in society diminishes their perceived severity, with a specific focus on the prohibition of taking and keeping photographs or videos of animate objects.

Key Lessons

• When sins or good deeds become widespread, society's perception of their weight and gravity becomes watered down.
• Digital photography and video recording fall under the same fundamental Islamic prohibitions as traditional picture-making of living beings.
• Creating images of animate objects involves attempting to resemble Allah Ta'ala's creative attribute, which carries severe warnings in Hadith.
• Compromising on religious principles to win people over or remain in problematic social environments only normalizes wrong practices rather than stopping them.

Quranic/Hadith References

• Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam): Those who make images of animate beings will be punished on the Day of Qiyamah and commanded to give life to what they created.
• Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam): Picture-makers of living things will be in Jahannam, and every picture drawn will be given life to punish them.
• Narrative of Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu 'anhu): Advised a painter to depict inanimate objects such as trees and landscapes instead of living beings.
• Narrative of Sayyidatuna Ayesha (Radhiyallahu 'anha): Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) expressed visible anger upon seeing a curtain with pictures of living beings, leading to its removal.
• Hadith Qudsi: Allah Ta'ala questions who could be more oppressive than one who tries to create like His creation, challenging them to create even an ant or a grain of barley.

Practical Advice

• Avoid capturing or storing pictures and video clips of family members or events on personal mobile devices without genuine necessity.
• Refrain from sharing images or videos on social media platforms and family group chats.
• Politely request others not to send pictures or video clips, and leave group chats where prohibited media is regularly shared if advice is ignored.
• Maintain firmness on religious guidelines while displaying patience, tolerance, and good character towards relatives and friends.