Haram to have photos? Or just to display them?

[DanyalSAC]

Asalaamu alaikum -

Recently, after I hit my 1 year milestone as a Muslim, I made a commitment to myself and to Allah s.w.t to "tighten up" as it were my deen. One of those goals is to take down all haram displays in my house, such as photos. Some of these pictures are almost 40 years old, and one framed tapestry in my living room (protraying a woman carrying a water jug) was woven in 1900 so is an antique.

I have 2 autographed photos of actors from Star Trek that I got when I met them, and one photo of myself with John Wayne when I was like...ugh, 6 years old I think.

The tapestry actually belongs to my mother so will return to her, as will the one of me with John Wayne. When I told her I was giving these back to her, she said "Do what you must to remain true to yourself and your beliefs. I am glad you will send them to me" (that is her actual email). Knowing her as well as I do I could tell she was hurt, and I don't want my Islam to hurt anyone, especially my mother.

When talking to one of my brothers locally he told me that I didn't have to get rid of the pictures, just not display them. That didn't make a lot of sense to me. Isn't this a valid hadith?

Hadith - Bukhari 3:515, Narrated Abu Huraira

I heard Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) 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)."

The hadith (to me) is very clear: it does not specify a picture being displayed. If I can keep these photos but just shash them away that would prevent a lot of hardship...but (to me) that's not what that hadith says.

Opinions (without a lecture, if you would please)?
JazakAllah khairn!
D.

 

[Al-Kashmiri]

As-salaamu `alaykum

In short akhi you're correct. They're better outside of the actual home. A lot of people these days try to explain hadeeth in a way contrary to what they actually mean.

Sometimes, practicing Islaam does hurt one's practices, even cultural practices of many Muslims. But remember, you may displease someone unintentionally and please Allaah. Or you could please the people at the displeasure of Allaah. A wise believer would take the second option, since a Prophetic Hadeeth clearly suggests that whoever seeks to please Allaah, Allaah will cause the people to be pleased with him. Yet one who seeks to please the people at Allaah's displeasure, Allaah will cause the people to dislike him. If I can find the narration I will post it.

Was-salaam

 

[ximkoyra]

When talking to one of my brothers locally he told me that I didn't have to get rid of the pictures, just not display them. That didn't make a lot of sense to me. Isn't this a valid hadith?

Hadith - Bukhari 3:515, Narrated Abu Huraira

I heard Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) 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)."

The hadith (to me) is very clear: it does not specify a picture being displayed. If I can keep these photos but just shash them away that would prevent a lot of hardship...but (to me) that's not what that hadith says.

Opinions (without a lecture, if you would please)?
JazakAllah khairn!
D.

My opinion is the same as the brother who said to just not display them. My reasoning for this has to do with how there was no photography during the time of the Prophet(PBUH). I see "picture of a living creature" as being a creation of man trying to imitate the creation of Allah (SWT). I'm not a student of art history, but I would imagine that such pictures probably weren't wallet sized and meant to be displayed so they could be admired? I don't know what other purpose a portrait is supposed to serve.

I don't see photos as man trying to imitate the creation of Allah (SWT) because I believe that logic could be stretched to make it that seeing with our eyes is haram. I really see photography and seeing as being essentially the same thing because both photos and seeing with our eyes are just reflections of light. It's just that one happens to be a reflection capturing a moment in time and the other is "real time reflections". I don't feel that photography is an attempt to "create" anything.

That said, I'm still against the display of photos for the simple fact that it just doesn't sit well with me. I would like to say that the only purpose of hanging photos up is for admiration, but then I can't logically argue against putting your own photos up. The only argument that I have against this is that I just don't feel that it's right.


I personally happen to be the stubborn type who won't do something until I hear a reason that's satisfying, so my real opinion is to probably just go with what you feel is right.

 

[AZAM_SIDDIQUI]

yeah not comfortable with pictures of humans at all-but natural scenery should be fine (photos) which remind of Allahs grace but the best is calligraphy or surahs from quran embroidery etc.

 

[arzafar]

what about family photos?
what about tv?
videos are also photos. several images being displayed in unit time. (fps - frames per second)

are all of the above forbidden?

 

[Al-Kashmiri]

what about family photos?
what about tv?
videos are also photos. several images being displayed in unit time. (fps - frames per second)

are all of the above forbidden?

As-salaamu `alaykum

There is differing with the usage of photography/video and with animate drawings and paintings etc. However, all scholars seem to agree that you should not hang photos and that their permissibility lies strictly within what is useful and constructive in the shari`ah...