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Taking photographs of the needy in order to help them

Question

I work for a charitable organization. I have to report to my directors in order to help the needy. It is allowed for me take photographs of the needy in order to submit them to my directors to help them.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

The contemporary scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them differed in opinion in relation to photographic pictures. Some of them consider them as forbidden because of the general evidences which prohibit portrait-making and pictures, while others permitted them. However, if there is a necessity, or a need, or a preponderant interest like in the case of passports and identity cards, then there is no harm. Nevertheless, one should restrain himself to the need only.

Therefore, if you see that there is a preponderant benefit in taking pictures of the needy, then there is no harm in doing so, otherwise it would not be permissible.

Allaah knows best.

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