Fatwa ID: 05199

Answered by: Maulana Syed Johir Miah

Question

Are we allowed to upload and or circulate pictures of the dead pious people?

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

Answer:

We are not allowed to upload and or circulate pictures of the dead pious people.

Pictures of inanimate objects are permissible whether digital or in print. As for digital photos or videos of animate objects, it will be best to exercise precaution and abstain from pictures or videos of living things, due to the differences of opinion amongst the scholars.

However, an exception is made in cases of necessity; such as a photo of a passport and photos used in other identification documents such as a driver’s license. [1]

Abdullah Bin Masud( رضى الله عنه ) relates that he heard the Prophet (SAW) saying.

إنَّأشَدَّالنّاسِعَذابًايَوْمَالقِيامَةِالمُصَوِّرُونَ

Those involved in picture-making will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the day of Qiyamah.[2]

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Syed Johir Miah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Aap Ke Masail Or Unke Hal, Pages 465/468, Volume 8, Maktaba Dihwanawee

[2] Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5950, 167/7, Dar Tuqin Najah, 1422 Hijri.

Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2109, 1670/3, Dar Ihyath Turath, Beirut, Lebanon

Musnad Humaydee, Hadith 117, 218/1, Darus Siqaa, Damascus, Syria, 1996.