Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

salam burhan bhai!

well i have to questions to ask and hope you can answer by providing evidence from the hadiths or koran, so i can show my brothers and sisters that what i trying to state is true.my 1st question is 1.)

What is wrong to put pictures of family or posters in in your walls,bedroom, living etc.

2.) Is it haram to take pictures?

3.) I know we have an obligation to help, but who should we help, is okay to help out non-muslim who is poor, homeless, handicap, or other people from different race. do we have an obligation to help put anybody is needed help regardless is one is not a muslim?

plz answer my question A.S.A.P.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Pictures and charity

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Q-1: What is wrong to put pictures of family or posters in in your walls,bedroom, living etc.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4140 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘The angels do not enter a house which contains a picture, a dog, or a man who is impure by sexual defilement.’

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.843 Narrated by Abu Salim

Once Gabriel promised to visit the Prophet but he delayed and the Prophet got worried about that. At last he came out and found Gabriel and complained to him of his grief (for his delay). Gabriel said to him, "We do not enter a place in which there is a picture, or a dog."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.834 Narrated by Muslim

We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet (saws) saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers.' "

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.448 Narrated by Abu Talha

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.428 Narrated by Said bin Abu Al Hasan

While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures." Ibn 'Abbas said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Messenger (saws). I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' " Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn 'Abbas said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures, I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects."

Although the ‘pictures’ related in the above hadiths and commands are related to hand-made portraits or pictures of animate objects, and because photographs or posters are a new development of technology, the majority of the scholars in Islam have determined that displaying the photographs are a form of glorification of the person in the photograph and thus it would be considered closer to piety if the believers abstained from it.

Q-2: Is it haram to take pictures?

The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that a believer must not decorate or display in his house pictures, images, idols, or photos of animate objects, as in light of the several narrations of the Messenger of Allah (saws), the Angels of Mercy do not enter a house where there are pictures (of animate objects).

Almost all the scholars of Islam are unanimous in their opinion that there is no harm if one takes a portrait photograph for necessary and legal reasons, and to comply with the modern methods of identification like identity cards, driver’s license, passports, etc.

And Allah Alone Best.

Q-3: I know we have an obligation to help, but who should we help, is okay to help out non-muslim who is poor, homeless, handicap, or other people from different race. do we have an obligation to help put anybody is needed help regardless is one is not a muslim?

According to the guidance given by Allah and His Messenger (saws), the obligatory charity or ‘zakah’ is only for the muslims.

But regular charity and ‘sadaqa’ is for muslims and non-muslims alike. When one is hungry and needs to be fed, it does not matter whether the recipient is a muslim or a non-muslim. When one is sick and needs medicine, surgery, etc. it does not matter whether the recipient is a muslim or a non-muslim. When one is in need of help, then it does not matter whether the recipient is a muslim or a non-muslim.

All human beings are slaves and creations of Allah, whether they acknowledge Him or not. Muslims are supposed to be well-wishers of mankind, and Allah will give him his due reward when he spends on any slave of Allah, as long as he is seeking only the Pleasure of Allah for his deeds. Helping a human being aside, the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, that even if one gives water to a thirsty animal, or food to a hungry animal, he will have his reward with Allah! The Messenger of Allah (saws) constantly reminded the muslims to be well-wishers of humanity and any creature of Allah alike.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 110: You (muslims) are the best community which has been raised for the guidance of mankind. You enjoin what is right, and forbid what is evil and you all believe in Allah Alone.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 60 Surah Mumtahina verse 8: Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan