Using a webcam to contact family members living abroad

9-4-2008 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu aleikum I have a question. Can we use a webcam(Transmits video) to talk to family members in other countries. It is the same as a phone call except that you can also see the person you are talking to, live in a video; I think you are familiar with this. In my case, it will only be to talk with uncles and aunts abroad, with my family with(behind) me, so we can have a family talk. I will try and make sure that all the females in my family are wearing hijab when they speak to family members on the webcam, and they won't be alone since all of us talk at the same time; kind of like a video conference. It's basically a means of family communication which is very precious when we live so far apart. What is your opinion on this? For one, the picture taken by the webcam isn't printed or sketched on a physical thing insha Allah. It is a video that is transmitted to the other person's computer, and is lost as time passes(like a video). Secondly, I will insha Allah make sure that the ladies in my family are wearing hijab when they use it. Please give me your opinion on this, and if there is any other sin or flaw involved? Jazakhallah khair Assalamu aleikum.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

 

If the religious requirements are observed in such family gatherings through the Internet then it is permissible, Allaah willing.

Among the religious requirements is that a woman should wear Hijab in front of (in the presence of) non-Mahram man, and not speak in a soft attractive voice and the like.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 88928.

Allaah Knows best.