⭑ Ruling on the Profession of Photography ⭑
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Adopting photography as a profession is impermissible due to the prohibition of making images.
① The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Among the people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 5954, Kitab al-Libas, Bab: Ma Wuti’a min al-Tasāwīr]
② In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من صور صورة فإن الـلـه مـعـذبه حتى ينفخ فيها الروح ، وليس بنافخ فيها أبدا
“Whoever makes a picture, Allah will punish him until he breathes life into it — and he will never be able to do so.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 2225, Kitab al-Buyu‘, Bab: Bay‘ al-Tasāwīr allati Laysa Fīha Rūh]
This warning applies specifically to making images of beings that have a soul (dhī rūḥ). If someone makes an image of something without a soul, then it is permitted, as mentioned at the end of the previous Hadith, where the Prophet ﷺ said:
“If you must make pictures, then make pictures of trees and anything that does not possess a soul.”
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
⮚ Ruling
Adopting photography as a profession is impermissible due to the prohibition of making images.
❀ Evidence from Hadith
① The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Among the people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 5954, Kitab al-Libas, Bab: Ma Wuti’a min al-Tasāwīr]
② In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من صور صورة فإن الـلـه مـعـذبه حتى ينفخ فيها الروح ، وليس بنافخ فيها أبدا
“Whoever makes a picture, Allah will punish him until he breathes life into it — and he will never be able to do so.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 2225, Kitab al-Buyu‘, Bab: Bay‘ al-Tasāwīr allati Laysa Fīha Rūh]
❀ Important Note
This warning applies specifically to making images of beings that have a soul (dhī rūḥ). If someone makes an image of something without a soul, then it is permitted, as mentioned at the end of the previous Hadith, where the Prophet ﷺ said:
“If you must make pictures, then make pictures of trees and anything that does not possess a soul.”
