Islamic Ruling on Photographing Body Parts – A Fiqhi Perspective
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Volume 1, Page 861
❖ Question:
What is the Shar‘i ruling on photographing certain parts of the human body?
✿ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
📌 As far as my understanding goes, taking or allowing photographs of certain body parts, such as the hand or foot, is not permissible.
📌 However, the majority of scholars maintain that if the photograph does not include the face, and only one body part is depicted, then it is allowed.
📌 Nonetheless, it must be noted that severe warnings of punishment have been reported in ḥadīths for those involved in image-making (photography/drawing of living beings).
Therefore, the path of caution is to completely abstain from all forms of photography.
📌 That said, exceptions are made in cases of Shar‘i necessity, such as applying for a passport for Hajj, etc. In such cases, it is exempted.
This is what I understand. And Allah knows best what is correct.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
