Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Restoring Barakah and Happiness in our Homes
On one occasion, while Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was out on a journey, Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) hung a curtain with pictures of animate objects on the door. At that time, Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was unaware that pictures of animate objects were prohibited.
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) arrived at his home and his sight fell on the curtain, he was greatly displeased. Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) greeted him, but he did not reply to her greeting and immediately went to the curtain and tore it. On seeing the reaction of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) realised that she had committed a serious mistake, on account of which the Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was displeased with her. With extreme humility and remorse, she exclaimed, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I turn to Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in repentance! Explain to me the sin that I have committed.”
The heart of Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was so filled with the love of Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that she could not tolerate their displeasure for a single moment. Hence, even though she did not have knowledge of the sin she had committed, she first hastened towards towbah and thereafter begged Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to explain to her the sin that she committed in order that she does not repeat it in future.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then explained to her the evil consequence of those involved in the grave sin of picture-making. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “O Aaishah! Indeed the people who are involved in making pictures of animate objects will be subjected to the worst punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #2105 and #5954 and Mustakhraj Abi Awaanah #9187)
It should be borne in mind that just as making pictures of animate objects is haraam, similarly keeping such pictures is also impermissible. Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) prohibited keeping pictures of animate objects in the home, and also prohibited making such pictures. (Sunan Tirmizi #1749)
The severity of the sin of photography can be gauged from the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that among those who will be subjected to the severest of punishments on the Day of Qiyaamah are the following three people – the one who kills a Nabi, the leader who misguides his people, and the one who is involved in picture-making of animate objects. (Sharh Mushkil-ul-Aathaar #6)
Imagine how serious is the sin of photography that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned the picture-maker together with the one who killed a Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala or the leader of a nation who misguides his people!
In one Hadith, it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that every photographer will be in the fire of Jahannum. (Saheeh Muslim #2110) In another Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The angels (of mercy) do not enter the home wherein there are pictures (of animate objects).” (Saheeh Bukhaari #2105)
In the Hadith of Sunan Tirmizi, it recorded that on the Day of Qiyaamah, the head of a creature will be seen coming out from the fire of Jahannum. It will have two eyes with which it will see, two ears with which it will hear, and a tongue with which it will speak. It will say, “I have been commanded to punish three categories of people; every oppressor who defies the commands of Allah Ta‘ala, every person who called unto a god besides Allah Ta‘ala, and those who engage in making pictures of animate objects.” Thereafter, the creature will catch hold of these people and plunge them into Jahannum. (Sunan Tirmizi #2574)
On the occasion of the conquest of Makkah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) wished to enter the Ka’bah Shareef, but refrained from entering due to idols being present in the Ka’bah. Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) first instructed that the idols be removed from the Ka’bah, and thereafter he entered the Ka’bah Shareef. (Sharhuz Zurqaani Alal Mawaahib 3/465)
After entering the Ka’bah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had seen drawings of animate objects on the inner-walls of the Ka’bah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) cursed those who were responsible for drawing these pictures and thereafter instructed that these drawings be erased. (Sharhuz Zurqaani Alal Mawaahib 3/483)
In today’s times, one of the greatest causes for the homes of the Muslims being devoid of barakah and bereft of blessings is that there are various devices in the homes which contain pictures of animate objects. On account of these pictures, the angels of mercy do not enter the home, and such homes do not enjoy peace and the blessings of Allah Ta‘ala. As a result of the sinful activities which take place in such homes, the inhabitants of these homes experience discord, unhappiness and disunity.
When one has to analyze the root cause for the deeni decline, or the breakdown of many marriages, or the involvement in sins perpetrated via social media networks, then one will realize that these problems are in some way associated with the evil of photography. Hence, the only way to rectify our relationship with Allah Ta‘ala and bring goodness into our deen is that we adhere to the teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and shun all forms of photography.
May Allah Ta‘ala bless us with the towfeeq of upholding the commands of Shari‘ah and following the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in all facets of our lives.
