Why Pictures of Animate Objects have been Prohibited
Shaikh Mustufaa Humaami (Rahmatullah alayh) of Egypt writes: “The photographers of our time regard picture-making as a great skill and as a branch of the ‘fine-arts’.. this means that these people regard picture-making as lawful without any qualms. Now, what does the Law state regarding a person who regards a forbidden practice as lawful, and this too, when he has knowledge of its prohibition? We seek Allah’s protection. Alas! Muslims today have been encircled by this great evil (of photography) to such an extent that there hardly remains a Muslim home without being full with photos. Ponder! Should Rasulullah صلى الله عليه والسلم make an appearance today and observe this evil, what will be his attitude? The great misfortune of the situation is that this fitnah (the evil of photography) prevails in those cities where the inhabitants regard themselves to excel in knowledge.”
“Pictures are generally worshipped by the idolaters, and are therefore detested by the angels as well as despised by the Prophets صلى الله عليه والسلم and the makers of them will be duly punished on the Day of Resurrection, because they are the cause of providing materials for idolatry. It is manifest that those ignorant people who keep pictures of the Prophets (Alayhis Salaam), Imams, saints, peers and pay them every respect and preserve them, from a belief of their auspicious influence, have gone most astray and are deeply involved in the crime of SHIRK. It is therefore necessary to take the pictures out of good homes, as impure things.. Hence the crime of making pictures. Is very great, greater even than the crimes of that of Yaz’id and Shimar…”
– Taqiyatul Iman, Maulvi Ismail Shahid.
“The second main constituent of their (Muslim) culture is the creed of Monotheism. Belief in the Oneness of God is manifest in all their activities from spiritual conviction to practical conduct and from worship to festivals and ceremonies. Their homes and studios are expected to be free from every trace of idolatry and polytheism – photographs, statues, images having been prohibited to them by their religion. The same principle has to be followed even while making or buying toys for their children.. wherever Muslims will be honest in their loyalty to Islamic civilization, they will remain strictly removed from such practices.”
“It (Islam) frowns severely upon certain forms of self-indulgence and sensuality to which the West has given the imposing label of “Fine Arts” some of these are dancing, painting and photography (of living beings) and sculpture.”
-(Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, present Rector of Darul Uloom, Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, India)