Fatwa ID: 08811
Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi
Question:
We have seen recently, when there is a car accident, people are taking photos and videos, and they are shared through social media. Even some horrific accidents (May Allah protect one and all) are shared, especially through WhatsApp.
Please can you guide the Ummah on this and inform us of what steps one should take if those kinds of photos/videos are received.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
It has become common for people to capture photographs and videos of accidents, particularly via social media platforms such as WhatsApp. While the intention may often be to inform or seek assistance. Islam places great emphasis on the honour and dignity of every human being whether living or deceased.
This honour includes the physical body, life, and reputation of the person. Sharing images of the deceased or injured in graphic ways is a violation of this sanctity. The dignity of a deceased person must be preserved just as it would be during their life.
And sending distressing images to family members, or the public may inflict emotional and psychological harm, especially on the relatives of the victim. It is inconsiderate and may lead to unnecessary grief, panic, and trauma and exposing the faults of others or disgraceful situations is a not allowed in Islam.
Therefore, unless it is necessary to take pictures or forward one should refrain from doing so.
References:
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ
Surah Isra verse 70
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ كَسْرُ عَظْمِ الْمَيِّتِ كَكَسْرِهِ حَيًّا ”
Sunan Abi Dawud 3207
لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ
Qawaid al Fiqhiya
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لاَ يَظْلِمُهُ وَلاَ يُسْلِمُهُ مَنْ كَانَ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ كَانَ اللَّهُ فِي حَاجَتِهِ وَمَنْ فَرَّجَ عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ كُرْبَةً فَرَّجَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ بِهَا كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَمَنْ سَتَرَ مُسْلِمًا سَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
Sahih Muslim 2580
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
