Wildlife Photography
Question
Is it permissible to do wildlife photography as a hobby?
Answer
The Ahaadith prohibit one from taking photographs of animate objects. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is reported to have said,
“Verily the severest of punishment on the day of Qiyaamah is for those who take pictures (of animate objects).” Yet in another narration it is mentioned that pictures makers will be punished on the day of Qiyaamah and told, “Enter life into that which you have created.”
Obviously no person has the ability of giving life to a lifeless object. In another narration of Bukhari Sharif, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam cursed people who take pictures. There are many other such narrations that include severe warnings for taking pictures unnecessarily.
Based on the above, it will not be permissible to take pictures of wildlife; hence one should refrain from such futile activities.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
وفي الصحيحين من حديث عبد الله بن مسعود، قال: سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول إن أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة المصورين
وروى النسائي وابن ماجه منه قوله أن أصحاب الصور يعذبون يوم القيامة ويقال لهم أحيوا ما خلقتم
وأخرج البخاري من حديث أبي جحيفة رضي الله عنه قال نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم عن ثمن الكلب وعن ثمن الدم ونهى عن الواشمة والموشومة وأكل الربا وموكله ولعن المصور
- Approved by
- Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Ifta, Darul Uloom Azaadville. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.