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
