Personal photography
Fatwa No: 87354

Question

What is the ruling of Shariah if a husband wants from his wife to make a privat video tape of her? Is it allowed for her to answer her husband's request?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

 

We think that she should not accept her husband’s request for the following two reasons:

 

First, photography or videography is forbidden according to many contemporary scholars though some scholars believe that it is lawful.  Thus, we say that it is safer to avoid it except within the limits of necessity which does not exist in the mentioned case.

 

Second, it is very possible that the cassette may fall in the hands of others.  Perhaps the cassette may fall unintentionally in the hands of children or some alien men, etc., and then what happens will never be accepted; it may lead to the ruin of family life. Accordingly those of us who have a sense of honour would not dare do that.

 

Therefore, a wife should explain to her husband all the matters we mentioned above to convince him.  However, if a husband insists on his request and she obeys him, we cannot say that she committed a sin if she is sure that only her husband can see it and provided that she took all precautions to prevent it from others.

 

Once again we emphasize on the fact that it is better to avoid such practice.

Allah knows best.

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