❀ Collecting Souvenir Photographs – Islamic Ruling ❀
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the verdicts of the Scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
Is it permissible to collect souvenir or keepsake photographs?
It is not permissible for any Muslim man or woman to preserve souvenir photographs of any living beings (dhū al-rūḥ, i.e., beings with a soul). Rather, it is necessary to dispose of them. The Prophet ﷺ said to ʿAlī رضي الله عنه:
«لَا تَدَعْ صُورَةً إِلَّا طَمَسْتَهَا، وَلَا قَبْرًا مُشْرِفًا إِلَّا سَوَّيْتَهُ»
“Do not leave any image except that you obliterate it, and do not leave any elevated grave except that you level it.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
It is authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he forbade keeping images in homes. On the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ entered the Kaʿbah and saw images on its walls. He requested water and a cloth and erased them.
✔ As for images of non-living things, such as mountains, trees, or scenery, there is no harm in them, and they are not included in the prohibition.
✘ Prohibited:
Collecting or preserving images of humans or animals as souvenirs is not allowed in Islam.
✔ Permitted:
Images of inanimate or non-living objects like landscapes, trees, mountains, etc., are allowed.
Such photographs of living beings must be destroyed or removed in compliance with the prophetic instruction.
(Fatwa by: Dār al-Iftāʾ Committee)
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the verdicts of the Scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to collect souvenir or keepsake photographs?
❖ Answer:
It is not permissible for any Muslim man or woman to preserve souvenir photographs of any living beings (dhū al-rūḥ, i.e., beings with a soul). Rather, it is necessary to dispose of them. The Prophet ﷺ said to ʿAlī رضي الله عنه:
«لَا تَدَعْ صُورَةً إِلَّا طَمَسْتَهَا، وَلَا قَبْرًا مُشْرِفًا إِلَّا سَوَّيْتَهُ»
“Do not leave any image except that you obliterate it, and do not leave any elevated grave except that you level it.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
It is authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he forbade keeping images in homes. On the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ entered the Kaʿbah and saw images on its walls. He requested water and a cloth and erased them.
✔ As for images of non-living things, such as mountains, trees, or scenery, there is no harm in them, and they are not included in the prohibition.
❖ Summary:
✘ Prohibited:
Collecting or preserving images of humans or animals as souvenirs is not allowed in Islam.
✔ Permitted:
Images of inanimate or non-living objects like landscapes, trees, mountains, etc., are allowed.
Such photographs of living beings must be destroyed or removed in compliance with the prophetic instruction.(Fatwa by: Dār al-Iftāʾ Committee)
