it meets a sound, legitimate need. In the same way, if a person has witnessed a scene and wants others to view it so that their hearts may be moved and their money drawn forth—such as showing them a group of hungry, half-naked people wounded by an enemy, or something similar, in order to present their plight and evoke compassion—this too is a valid aim and is unobjectionable.

In short, producing images by hand—whether through painting, colouring, or sketching—is forbidden according to the stronger opinion. As for taking pictures with a photographic camera, this is not, in fact, “image-making” at all such that we would even need to declare it permissible or impermissible. We must first reflect on the indication of the revealed texts and then on the ruling those texts entail. Upon reflection we find that this is not image-making, and so it is covered by neither the prohibition nor the curse; it therefore remains basically permitted. After that, one must look at the purpose for which the photograph is taken: if the purpose is lawful, the photograph is lawful; if the purpose is unlawful, the photograph is unlawful. Allah is the One who grants success.

1681 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say, “Whoever fashions an image in this world will be commanded on the Day of Resurrection to breathe life into it, yet he will never be able to.” Agreed upon.

1682 – Ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah