Question Summary:
Is it permissible to put family photographs inside our homes?

Question Detail:

Is it permissible to put family photographs inside our homes? If no please explain.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
 
As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
1. At the outset, it should be stated that photography of animate objects is impermissible in Islam[1].
 
2. It is not permissible to display photographs of animate objects within ones home.
 
3. Explicit warning has been mentioned in the Hadeeth regarding those who make photographs of animate objects and those who keep such photos within their homes.
 
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Salaam) said:
 
 
حَدَّثَنَا الحُمَيْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ، قَالَ: كُنَّا مَعَ مَسْرُوقٍ، فِي دَارِ يَسَارِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، فَرَأَى فِي صُفَّتِهِ تَمَاثِيلَ، فَقَالَ: سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «إِنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَذَابًا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ المُصَوِّرُونَ
[صحيح البخاري 7/ 167]
 
Translation: “It is narrated from Muslim who says that: we were with Masrooq in the house of Yasaar Bin Numair who happened to see pictures/photography on his long bench/platform, so he said: I heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) saying: Indeed the most severely punished people on the day of Qiyaamah are those who engaged in photography/drawing of pictures” (Saheeh Bukhari, 167/7)
 
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
 
أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: الْمُصَوِّرُونَ يُعَذَّبُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ: أَحْيُوا مَا خَلَقْتُمْ
[جامع معمر بن راشد 10/ 399]
 
Translation: “It is narrated from Ibn Umar that verily Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: Those who draw pictures/engage in forbidden photography will be punished on the day of Qiyaamah and it will be said to them: give life to whatever you created” (Jami Ma’mar Bin Raashid, 399/10)
 
 
Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
 
عن ابي طلحة رضي اللَّهُ قال قال النبي صلي  اللَّهُ عليه و سلم لا تدخل الملائكة بيتا فيه كلب و لا تصاوير
 
Translation: “It is narrated from Abu Talha (Radhiyallahu Anhu) who said: Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: The angels do not enter that house in which there is dogs nor pictures”
(Mishakaatul – Masaabeeh), Baabul Tasaaweer, 4489, 2848/7)
 
 
By keeping pictures of your family in your home, you will be going against the Shariah. Violating the Shariah incurs the wrath and displeasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).
 
 
And Allah knows best.
 
Ismail Desai,
Durban, South Africa
Student Darul Iftaa
 
Checked and Approved
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
daruliftaa.net