Fatwa ID: 07283

Answered by: Maulana Ubaidur Rahman

Question:

As-salamu alaikum. I am writing through a translator and would like to clarify one point in https://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/home/digital-pictures/.

I read in this part “The ruling to keep these devices (except TV) in homes and use them for various purposes is permitted provided that one refrains from religiously impermissible and forbidden things such as nudity, pornography, exposure of female nudity and ridicule, because videos, computers and other such appliances are just devices installed essentially for information.

Yes, it is unequivocal that when there is no reasonable purpose associated with them or no need for them, the most proper thing to do is to refrain from taking pictures of figures of animate objects (living beings), and to refrain from using such devices. By doing so, one also distances oneself from doubts and differences of opinion.” Does that mean it’s best to refrain from using such devices in general or just for photography? I am studying programming, then it is undesirable and it is better to refrain from using a computer? Can you please explain this point?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

It is necessary to be aware that it is down to a persons own actions regarding what happens and occurs with appliances and electronics such as computer and television. Most appliances and things can be used for multiple things, but it is according to the user of the appliances that these things can be utilised in the way that they are.

Using a computer for educational purposes in okay because the reasons for which you are using them are educational and are not linked to anything such as wasting ones time for reasons such as entertainment or misusing ones time. It is also not a waste of time and hence not undesirable as you are studying photography to potentially pursue a career using these specific skills which you would have acquired by doing such things or by using the transferrable qualities you have gained therefrom to progress in another career. It is echoed in Islamic teachings the way in which we are to make the most use of permissible means to obtain what we need in order to excel further and make the most of our lives, as has also been taught to us by the narrations of the Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

It would be good to use the means of a computer to help you acquire your goals and targets of education and there is nothing wrong with that.

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by: Maulana Ubaidur Rahman.

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah.

Darul Ifta Birmingham