Are photos of living things halal?
Scholars differ. Hand-drawn or sculpted images of living beings are prohibited by the majority, based on hadith about image-makers. Scholars differ on photographs.
The views, and who holds them
| Held by | Verdict | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Most contemporary scholars | Halal | A photograph captures an image rather than creating one, so it is permitted for a legitimate purpose. |
| Some scholars | Haram | Photographs of living beings fall under the same prohibition, except for necessity such as passports. |
Quick answers
- Are photos of living things halal?
- Scholars differ. Hand-drawn or sculpted images of living beings are prohibited by the majority, based on hadith about image-makers. Scholars differ on photographs.
- Who holds that it is halal?
- Most contemporary scholars: A photograph captures an image rather than creating one, so it is permitted for a legitimate purpose.
- Who holds that it is haram?
- Some scholars: Photographs of living beings fall under the same prohibition, except for necessity such as passports.
Sources
- Halal or Not? rulebook topic “Photos and pictures of living things”, live answer (checked 28 September 2026)
- Most contemporary scholars
- Some scholars
Information, not a fatwa. Where scholars differ, this shows the main views so you can follow the one you already follow or ask a scholar you trust.
Ask Halal or Not? yourself
Ask any everyday question, or check a stock, fund, coin or medicine, and see where the scholars agree and differ. Open Halal or Not?, free, no sign-up.
In Claude or any app that takes MCP connectors, add https://goodturn-mcp.pages.dev/halalornot/mcp and ask: “Are photos of living things halal?”
More on everyday life
- Is music halal? Scholars differ
- Can a Muslim keep a dog? Depends
- Can a Muslim keep a cat? Halal
- Are tattoos halal? Haram
- Is nail polish halal? Depends
- Can men wear gold and silk? Haram
- Is shaving the beard halal? Scholars differ
- Is smoking, vaping or shisha halal? Haram
- Is cannabis halal? Haram
- Is chess halal? Scholars differ