Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (حفظه الله)
But regardless of how common a sin becomes, it does not alter its Shari'ah ruling. Every command issued by the tongue of prophethood remains firm and unchanged.
Historically, the misguidance of past nations, especially in matters of shirk (polytheism), began through image-making. Shaytan (Satan) deceived people into glorifying images, leading to their eventual worship.
The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"أولئك إذا مات منهم الرجل الصالح، بنوا على قبره مسجداً، ثم صوروا فيه تلك الصورة، أولئك شرار الخلق عند الله"
“Whenever a righteous man among them died, they would build a place of worship over his grave and put his images there. These are the worst of Allah’s creation in His sight.”
[Bukhari, Book of Funerals: Chapter on Building Mosques Over Graves, Hadith 1341]
Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan (رحمه الله) wrote:
"ولم يشع الشرك في الأمم ولم يدخل فيهم إلا من باب التصوير"
“Shirk spread among nations and entered them through the door of image-making.”
[Tanqeeh: 3/252]
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (رحمه الله) said:
"وكان غلب كفر الأمم من جهة الصور"
“The dominant cause of disbelief among nations was image-making.”
[Fath al-Bari: 8/17]
In today’s era, the flood of immorality, obscenity, and indecency is largely propagated through images — via TV, VCRs, filthy magazines, and other media. There are numerous authentic proofs on the prohibition of image-making, including:
"أشد الناس عذاباً يوم القيامة الذين يضاهون بخلق الله"
“Those who imitate the creation of Allah will be subjected to the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Bukhari, Book of Dress: Hadith 5954]
❷ Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that he heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say:
"ومن أظلم ممن ذهب يخلق كخلقي..."
“Who is more unjust than the one who tries to create like My creation? Let them create an ant, a grain of wheat, or a grain of barley.”
[Bukhari, Book of Tawheed: Hadith 7559]
Tanqeeh al-Ruwat states:
“This Hadith proves that image-making is forbidden and one of the gravest sins, as it imitates the Creator.”
[Tanqeeh al-Ruwat: 3/253]
Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan (رحمه الله) further explains that:
Using images is condemned, and anyone who supports the image-maker shares the sin. Whether the image is on a pillow, clothing, utensils, weapons, or books—made by hand or by a device—the ruling remains the same. Modern methods still fall under the ruling of "image-making" in Shariah.
❸ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
"من صور صورة عذب وكلف أن ينفخ فيها وليس بنافخ"
“Whoever makes an image will be punished and asked to put life into it, but he will not be able to do so.”
[Bukhari, Book of Dreams: Hadith 7042]
❹ Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"لا تدخل الملائكة بيتاً فيه كلب ولا تصاوير"
“The angels do not enter a house that contains a dog or images.”
[Bukhari, Book of Dress: Hadith 5949]
Engaging in photography, printing, selling, or displaying images — whether on walls, books, or currency — is included in this prohibition.
However, in unavoidable circumstances — such as government-issued IDs or official documentation — the need for a minimal photo is permissible due to necessity, just as one may consume impermissible food in a life-threatening situation.
Allah says:
"فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ"
“But if one is forced by necessity without willful disobedience or transgression, then there is no sin upon him.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 173]
Final Verdict:
Adopting photography as a profession is haram in Islam. Creating, displaying, selling, or approving of images without valid necessity falls under major sin, and those involved are warned with severe punishment in the Hereafter. Only genuine needs—such as identity documentation—are exempted under necessity.
✿ Question:
Is it permissible in Islam to adopt photography as a profession?✿ Answer:
According to the Qur'an and Sunnah, making images (tasweer) is categorically impermissible and a major sin (kabirah). In our times, this act has become so widespread that from legislative assemblies to the humblest huts, our surroundings are saturated with images. By hanging photographs everywhere, people are earning Allah’s displeasure and curse, and this societal disease has become so normalized that many no longer consider it sinful.But regardless of how common a sin becomes, it does not alter its Shari'ah ruling. Every command issued by the tongue of prophethood remains firm and unchanged.
Historically, the misguidance of past nations, especially in matters of shirk (polytheism), began through image-making. Shaytan (Satan) deceived people into glorifying images, leading to their eventual worship.
The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"أولئك إذا مات منهم الرجل الصالح، بنوا على قبره مسجداً، ثم صوروا فيه تلك الصورة، أولئك شرار الخلق عند الله"
“Whenever a righteous man among them died, they would build a place of worship over his grave and put his images there. These are the worst of Allah’s creation in His sight.”
[Bukhari, Book of Funerals: Chapter on Building Mosques Over Graves, Hadith 1341]
Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan (رحمه الله) wrote:
"ولم يشع الشرك في الأمم ولم يدخل فيهم إلا من باب التصوير"
“Shirk spread among nations and entered them through the door of image-making.”
[Tanqeeh: 3/252]
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (رحمه الله) said:
"وكان غلب كفر الأمم من جهة الصور"
“The dominant cause of disbelief among nations was image-making.”
[Fath al-Bari: 8/17]
In today’s era, the flood of immorality, obscenity, and indecency is largely propagated through images — via TV, VCRs, filthy magazines, and other media. There are numerous authentic proofs on the prohibition of image-making, including:
➤ Key Hadith Proofs:
❶ Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:"أشد الناس عذاباً يوم القيامة الذين يضاهون بخلق الله"
“Those who imitate the creation of Allah will be subjected to the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Bukhari, Book of Dress: Hadith 5954]
❷ Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that he heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say:
"ومن أظلم ممن ذهب يخلق كخلقي..."
“Who is more unjust than the one who tries to create like My creation? Let them create an ant, a grain of wheat, or a grain of barley.”
[Bukhari, Book of Tawheed: Hadith 7559]
Tanqeeh al-Ruwat states:
“This Hadith proves that image-making is forbidden and one of the gravest sins, as it imitates the Creator.”
[Tanqeeh al-Ruwat: 3/253]
Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan (رحمه الله) further explains that:
Using images is condemned, and anyone who supports the image-maker shares the sin. Whether the image is on a pillow, clothing, utensils, weapons, or books—made by hand or by a device—the ruling remains the same. Modern methods still fall under the ruling of "image-making" in Shariah.
❸ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
"من صور صورة عذب وكلف أن ينفخ فيها وليس بنافخ"
“Whoever makes an image will be punished and asked to put life into it, but he will not be able to do so.”
[Bukhari, Book of Dreams: Hadith 7042]
❹ Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"لا تدخل الملائكة بيتاً فيه كلب ولا تصاوير"
“The angels do not enter a house that contains a dog or images.”
[Bukhari, Book of Dress: Hadith 5949]
➤ Important Conclusion:
From the above Hadiths and scholarly statements, it is evident that both the image-maker and the one who approves or uses those images are subject to the severe divine warnings mentioned in the Hadith. This includes hand-drawn images, printed ones, and those produced using modern devices.Engaging in photography, printing, selling, or displaying images — whether on walls, books, or currency — is included in this prohibition.
However, in unavoidable circumstances — such as government-issued IDs or official documentation — the need for a minimal photo is permissible due to necessity, just as one may consume impermissible food in a life-threatening situation.
Allah says:
"فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ"
“But if one is forced by necessity without willful disobedience or transgression, then there is no sin upon him.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 173]
Final Verdict:
Adopting photography as a profession is haram in Islam. Creating, displaying, selling, or approving of images without valid necessity falls under major sin, and those involved are warned with severe punishment in the Hereafter. Only genuine needs—such as identity documentation—are exempted under necessity.
