The Islamic Ruling Concerning Tasweer – Islamic Guidelines on Photography & Images

“The Islamic Ruling Concerning Tasweer” is a concise yet important Islamic work that discusses the topic of image-making (tasweer) in light of the Quran, Sunnah, and classical scholarly opinions. The book explains the different types of images and photography, including traditional drawings, sculptures, and modern digital photography.

It presents evidences from authentic Hadiths and scholarly interpretations to clarify what is considered permissible and impermissible in Islam regarding images. The discussion also highlights the wisdom behind these rulings and their relevance in contemporary life, especially with modern technology and media.

From Author:

Two and Three dimensional

Images , Drawings , Paintings,

 Photography and Sculptures

About book: This is one of the most in-depth English translations which thoroughly deals with the subject of  At-Tasweer (drawings, paintings, photography and etc.) it contains the translation of some of the most comprehensive discussions of all matters connected to the issue of Tasweer.

American Publishers

• Abu Muhamed Abdur-Ra'uf Shakir

We dispatch orders directly from our UK and USA warehouses, offering multiple shipping options to suit your needs. We proudly ship worldwide.

UK Deliveries (from UK warehouse):

Standard shipping typically arrives within 3–4 working days. Expedited delivery takes 2–3 working days. We aim to dispatch orders the same day or next working day, with next-day delivery options available where applicable.

USA Deliveries (from USA warehouse):

Orders usually arrive within 4–7 working days.

Europe (shipped from UK):

Standard delivery takes approximately 6–10 working days, with expedited services available in 3–5 working days.

Canada:

Estimated delivery time is 5–10 working days.

Worldwide Shipping:

International orders generally arrive within 5–20 working days, depending on destination and shipping method selected.

For precise delivery timelines based on your location, please contact us by email and our team will provide detailed information tailored to your address.

Page 01
The Islamic
Ruling Concerning
TASWEER
Two and Three Dimensional Images, Drawings, Paintings, Photography and Sculptures
Collection, Arrangement and Translation by Abu Muhammad Abdur-Ra'uf Shakir
Page 02
SECTION ONE
AHAADITH CONCERNING TASWEER [PICTURES, DRAWINGS, PAINTING,
PHOTOGRAPHS AND STATUES]
HADITH #1: Image-Makers Will Be Punished on the Day of Judgment
Narrated 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father):
عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إن الذين يصنعون هذه الصورة يعذبون يوم القيامة يقال لهم أحيو ما خلقتم". (متفق عليه)
Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Those who make these images (suwar) will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, Make alive what you have created.' {Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim}24
The lesson we learn from this hadith is the stern and unquestionable prohibition of making images of that which has a soul. We are informed that the one who makes these images will be punished on the day of Judgment and required to put a soul into (make alive) that which he has made an image of. This he will absolutely not be able to do.25
On this point, Al-Haafidh ibn Hajar says: It is a command to do that which one is unable to do. From it we get a description of how the punishment of the image-maker will be. He will be ordered to breathe the
Page 03
SECTION ONE
AHAADITH CONCERNING TASWEER [PICTURES, DRAWINGS, PAINTING,
PHOTOGRAPHS AND STATUES]
HADITH #1: Image-Makers Will Be Punished on the Day of Judgment
Narrated 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father):
عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إن الذين يصنعون هذه الصورة يعذبون يوم القيامة يقال لهم أحيو ما خلقتم". (متفق عليه)
Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Those who make these images (suwar) will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, Make alive what you have created.' {Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim}24
The lesson we learn from this hadith is the stern and unquestionable prohibition of making images of that which has a soul. We are informed that the one who makes these images will be punished on the day of Judgment and required to put a soul into (make alive) that which he has made an image of. This he will absolutely not be able to do.25
On this point, Al-Haafidh ibn Hajar says: It is a command to do that which one is unable to do. From it we get a description of how the punishment of the image-maker will be. He will be ordered to breathe the
Page 04
ABOUT THE BOOK: This is one of the most in-depth English translations which thoroughly deals with the subject of at-Tasweer (drawings, paintings, photography etc.). It contains the translations of some of the most comprehensive discussions of all mat- ters connected to the issue of Tasweer.
It includes excerpts from two of the many books written in clarification of some of the mistakes of Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradaawee in his book "The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam". Both Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan and Shaykh al-Albaanee have clearly outlined and convincingly refuted the mistakes of Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradaawee.
The issues dealing with drawings, sketches, photographs, and statues, are clearly pre- sented and discussed. Are passport pictures, ID's and pictures of cars, boats, etc., per- missible? Are pictures of living organic creatures (Naam) such as trees, flowers, etc., permissible? Is an image taken with a camera different from a hand drawn image? What about a video taped image? The position of the jumhoor (majority of the schol- ars) on these issues as well as those who differ are presented.
As a bonus, the author has included two appendices: A) Avoiding the doubtful matters and B) television. These two discussions are sure to raise the reader's consciousness concerning these two issues and cause the reader to confront the hidden harms involved in "engaging in doubtful matters" and "watching television."
May Allah Bless this excellent attempt to give us, the English speaking Muslims, the opportunity to take advantage of the comprehensive works of the scholars concern- ing at-tasweer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Abu Muhammad Abdur-Ra'uf Shakir was born and raised in New York City where he embraced the religion of Islam in the year 1395 AH (1975 CE). He was fortunate to have participated in a special Da'wah Training Program at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, along with twenty other American Imams and Islamic Workers, during the Autumn of 1399 AH (1979 CE).
After returning to the United States, he was active in the Muslim community of New York for many years and was one of the founders of Masjid at-Taqwa in Brooklyn, NY. He was active in the Masjid's da'wah and educational programs as well as handling many administrative duties in the community.
Over the years he has traveled to-and lived in many Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. He spent six years in the City of al- Madeenah, Saudi Arabia, where he completed his Arabic studies in the year 1411AH (1991CE), after which he obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the college of Hadith and Islamic Studies at the Islamic University of al-Madeenah in the year 1415 AH (1995 CE). He is presently working in the field of da'wah and teaching new Muslims for the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affair, State of Qatar.
Co-Published by:
Zakee Muwwakkil's Books & Articles P.O.Box 28883, Philadelphia, PA