Owns photo shop in America

13-6-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have a photo shop, which means that I process and print pictures of people. What is the point of view of Islam about this subject, knowing that I have this business in America?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Muslim scholars differ regarding the photography of living beings by camera or video. Some of them forbid it considering it similar to the forbidden pictures. Their stand is that these kinds of pictures also come under the general prohibition of making pictures in Shari'a. While some other scholars are of the opinion that the prohibition does not include the photography by camera or video. They believe that the nature of pictures that used to be made in the era of Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) was totally different from the photography by camera or video. At that time the picture means imitating the creation of Allah while photography means capturing the reflection of a creature. Thus, this act is not considered as copying Allah's creation.
No doubt, the difference pointed out by those who permit photography is good if it were the only reason for the prohibition of the pictures. In fact, those who support the prohibition of all kind of pictures have many other reasons for the prohibition. Some of them are that (1) pictures are intended to achieve affection with the original personalities and to increase it. Subsequently, the subjects in the pictures would be honored and worshipped. It is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim that Um Salma and Um Habiba had been to Ethiopia, and both of them narrated the Church's beauty and the pictures it contained. The Prophet said, "Those are the people who, whenever a pious man dies amongst them, make a place of worship at his grave and then they make those pictures in it. Those are the worst creatures in the Sight of Allah on the Day of Judgment" .
Imam Ibn al-Arabi declared this reason in his book 'Ahkam al-Qur'an' (the commands of the al-Qur'an). He said: 'The reason for prohibition of pictures in our Shari'a is - Allah knows best - the practice of Arabs. They used to make pictures, images and idols and worship them. Thus, Allah cut off the means to safeguard the door of monotheism'.
(2) Among the reasons mentioned by those who support the prohibition of pictures is that the practice of making pictures and owning them is a useless and an act of imitation of non-Muslims who make images, keep them and worship them. In fact, imitating non-Muslims is forbidden, especially if the matter is related to the faith.
We are forbidden to make prostration to Allah at Sunrise or Sunset since the Kuffars prostrate at that time. [Sahih Muslim and others books].
(3) Among the reasons for which the pictures are prohibited is that the angels do not enter a house if there is a picture. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature" . [Reported by Imams al-Bukhari and Muslim ].
This reason is pointed out by the majority of Muslim scholars and they agree with it.
In the light of the above details it seems to us that the stand of those who say that photography by video or camera without any dire need is not permissible is very strong.
Those who permitted photography based their opinion on the reasoning that one should not imitate Allah's Creation; yet there are many other reasons for prohibiting photography. Therefore, we advise the questioner brother to avoid photography of living beings in order to keep away from disagreement, to take safest side for his religion and to leave what is doubtful in pursuance of the Prophetic Hadith: "Leave aside what is doubtful and take what does not arouse doubts" . [ al-Musnad and al-Sunan ].
Furthermore, we would like to make clear that those who permitted photography stipulate that it should be only to the living beings basically looking at them is permissible; otherwise, it is strictly forbidden such as the pictures of uncovered women, etc. There is no disagreement among scholars in this matter.
Know that the rulings of Shari'a do not change from place to place. What is permissible or prohibited in Muslim countries remains likewise in non-Muslim countries.
Allah knows best.