❖ Shar‘i Status of Television and Image-Making — In Light of the Qur’an and Hadith ❖
Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith, Volume 01, Page 514
❀ Question
❓ Is it permissible to watch television?
If not, what are the reasons behind its prohibition?
❓ Likewise, is it permissible to draw or take pictures — whether done for pleasure or necessity?
If it is impermissible, what is the reason — since in today’s time, people no longer worship images as idols, and we are believers in the kalimah?
✔ Response
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد:
✿ Prohibition of Making or Taking Pictures
It is impermissible to make or have images of living beings.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim:
“Those who make images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection.”
✿ Example from the Life of the Prophet ﷺ
Umm al-Mu’minīn ‘A’ishah (رضي الله عنها) had a curtain with images on it.
The Prophet ﷺ refused to enter her room until the images were removed.
Whenever the Prophet ﷺ saw a cross or image, he would destroy it.
This shows that image-making in any form — whether sculpture or on fabric or walls — is impermissible.
✿ Clarification from Hadith
In Tirmidhi and other collections, a method of correction is mentioned:
If one must keep a figure, then the head or facial features should be removed, making it unrecognizable.
Also, the term “tasweer” (تصوير) in Islamic texts applies both to statues and reflected or drawn images.
✿ Ruling on Television
Television also falls under the category of image-making, as it displays moving images of living beings.
Therefore, watching TV is also impermissible under this ruling.
✿ Exception — Non-Living Images
An exception exists for non-living objects, such as:
✔ Mosques
✔ Trees
✔ Mountains
✔ Natural scenery
This is based on a Hadith reported by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) in Sahih al-Bukhari, which confirms the permissibility of images not involving living beings.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I know; and Allah knows best what is correct.
