The Scourge of Photography

If photography were merely a reflection, there would have been no need to invent it, and a mirror would have sufficed. This forces one to say that photography is a fixed, preserved reflection, which contradicts both sense and reason. It is the same as saying that realistic painting is the fixing of a reflection on paper using brush and colors. Same thing. One is merely deceived by the precision of the machine’s drawing, nothing more, nothing less. Wallahi the truth is clear.

To photograph = to draw using light. There are no shadows or reflections in this equation. The only reason someone would insert such terms is because they do not understand how a machine uses light to produce images — and that is purely scientific. No expert says that photography is like a mirror, or that a camera traps shadows. None. The only people in the world who make that claim are Muslims who say drawing by hand is forbidden, but photography is not. Isn’t that enough reason to stop and rethink one’s position on this matter — especially when grave punishment awaits image makers?

One may ask: why write such posts? Because it has become absurd that many scholars describe photography as merely "shadow capturing", or more faithfully, "shadow trapping". And now, saying that "photographing animate beings is forbidden" is treated as insanity. It is a duty to resist such false beliefs.

It is not me who did it, it was the machine. Said the criminal in court after killing an innocent man by running him over. This is the same reasoning used by many who declare taking pictures of animate objects permissible.

Allah permitted grape juice and all wholesome drinks, and forbade intoxicating wine. He permitted sale and trade, and forbade usury. He permitted marriage, and forbade fornication. He permitted lawful slaughter, and forbade carrion, blood, and pork. He permitted earning through one’s work and effort, and forbade theft and fraud. He permitted making images of inanimate things, and forbade making images of animate beings. Whoever claims that the prohibition of image-making is too narrow, then the only narrowness is in their own knowledge and faith. O people, fear your Lord, for you will meet Him, and to Him you will return.