Fajar Zikri Utama (141101010462) 3A

PHOTOGRAPHY
A number of Hadiths are quoted which make it clear that it is forbidden to create a
likeness of Allah's living creation. Among the most telling of these are a sacred or Qudsi
Hadith and a statement by the Prophet. In the sacred or Qudsi Hadith, the Prophet quotes
Allah as saying :
"Who does a greater sin than one who tries to create something like My creation. Let
them create a particle or a seed or a barley seed." (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The authentic statement by the Prophet quotes him as saying:
"Those who endure the most grievance or suffering on the Day of Resurrection are the
ones who create a likeness." (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
In many of these Hadiths, the Arabic word used for the "creation of a likeness" is the
same as we use today for photography. Hence, some scholars have tended to pronounce
photography as forbidden on the basis of these Hadiths. However, photography was invented
long after the Prophet and, therefore, it is not possible that these Hadiths refer to photography
unless there was some technique at the time of the Prophet which was used to create photos
in the same way as a camera does. Since there was none, we should determine what the word
signified at that time.
If we consider how the word is used in the Qur'an, we find that it is invariably used to
denote how Allah creates people, animals and things. In its original use the word sawara
means "to give shape and form." Hence, majority of learned scholars are of the view that
these Hadiths refer to sculpture and making statues and shapes and engravings on stone or
wood to create likenesses of Allah's creation. Hence, there is no disagreement among scholars
that such works are forbidden not only to produce, but also to buy, possess or display.
Photography does not enter into that. The late Sheikh Muhammad Bakheet, a former
Mufti of Egypt, has made it clear that photography is not included in such prohibition. He
states that this art is no more than capturing a shade or a reflection by special technique. He
clarifies that what is forbidden is to create a likeness which has no previous existence in order
to produce something like what Allah has created. Using a camera to take a picture is similar
to fixing what we see in a mirror. No one says that looking into mirror is forbidden because it
shows a likeness of Allah's creation. We use lenses in cameras in order to capture a mirror
picture of the person or the object for which we need a photo. This is perfectly legitimate.
Reference: http://www.islamicislamic.com/photography.htm

Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Is it forbidden to create a likeness of Allah's living creation?

Is it forbidden to take a picture from camera?
What is the law of taking picture from camera?
Mention the hadiths about creating a likeness of Allah's living creation!
5. Why is photography allowed and not forbidden?