❖ 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
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?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد:
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
