Impermissibility Of Facial Recognition Technology
QUESTION:
Our company requires a Fatwa stating that facial recognition when logging in at work is not in conformity with Shariah.
ANSWER:
The Hadith Sharif states that the worst of punishment will be given to the picture-makers on the day of Qiyaamah, hence one should refrain from all forms of photography or picture-making (which includes facial recognition when clocking in at work). One may log in at work using the thumb or fingerprint, instead of using facial recognition, which is in conformity with Shariah.
Below are some of the Ahadith reported regarding the severe warnings for the one involved in picture-making:
عن مسروق عن عبد الله قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إن من أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة المصورون وقال أحمد المصورين (صحيح البخاري# 5606)
Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: Those involved in picture making will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah.
عن سعيد بن أبي الحسن قال جاء رجل إلى بن عباس فقال إني رجل أصور هذه الصور فأفتني فيها فقال له ادن مني فدنا منه ثم قال ادن مني فدنا حتى وضع يده على رأسه قال أنبئك بما سمعت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول كل مصور في النار يجعل له بكل صورة صورها نفسا فتعذبه في جهنم وقال إن كنت لا بد فاعلا فاصنع الشجر وما لا نفس له. (صحيح لمسلم 2/202)
Sa’eed bin Abil Hasan (Rahimahullah) reports that a man once came to Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) and said, I am a picture maker. Explain the Islamic verdict regarding picture making to me. When Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) heard this question, he asked the man to come forward. The man came forward after which Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) asked him to come even closer. The man drew closer until Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) placed his hand on his head. Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) then told him, I will inform you of what I heard from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). I heard Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) saying, every picture maker will dwell in the fire of Jahannum. Allah Ta’ala will create one creature for every picture he made and it will then punish him in Jahannum. If you wish to draw a picture, then draw the picture of a tree or a lifeless creation.
حدثنا سعيد قال سمعت النضر بن أنس بن مالك يحدث قتادة قال كنت عند ابن عباس وهم يسألونه ولا يذكر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى سئل فقال سمعت محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول من صور صورة في الدنيا كلف يوم القيامة أن ينفخ فيها الروح وليس بنافخ (صحيح البخاري 2/881)
Qataadah (Rahimahullah) said, “I was once in the company of Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) when someone posed a question regarding picture making. Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) said that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) saying, the one who creates a picture (of an animate object) will be commanded on the Day of Qiyaamah to infuse the soul into it, and thereby give life to it. However, he will never be able to give life to it (therfore he will face severe torment and punishment in the fire of Jahannum).
عن ابن عباس عن أبي طلحة رضي الله عنهم عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال لا تدخل الملائكة بيتا فيه كلب ولا صورة (صحيح البخاري #3144)
Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) narrates from Abu Talha (Radiyallahu Anhu) who heard Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) saying, the angels of mercy do not enter a home wherein there is a dog or a picture (of an animate object).
عن عبد الرحمن بن القاسم عن أبيه أنه سمع عائشة تقول دخل علي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقد سترت سهوة لي بقرام فيه تماثيل فلما رآه هتكه وتلون وجهه وقال يا عائشة أشد الناس عذابا عند الله يوم القيامة الذين يضاهون بخلق الله قالت عائشة فقطعناه فجعلنا منه وسادة أو وسادتين
(صحيح مسلم رقم # 2107)
Aaishah (Radiyallahu Anha) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) entered and I had hung a curtain with pictures over the doorway. When Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) saw it, he tore the curtain and his face began to change colour. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: O Aaishah, the people who will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah will be those who imitate Allah Ta’ala’s attribute of creation (through picture making). Aaisha (Radiyallahu Anha) said, we thereafter cut it and made it into one or two pillows.
عن عائشة أم المؤمنين رضي الله عنها أنها أخبرته أنها اشترت نمرقة فيها تصاوير فلما رآها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قام على الباب فلم يدخله فعرفت في وجهه الكراهية فقلت يا رسول الله أتوب إلى الله وإلى رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم ماذا أذنبت فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما بال هذه النمرقة قلت اشتريتها لك لتقعد عليها وتوسدها فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن أصحاب هذه الصور يوم القيامة يعذبون فيقال لهم أحيوا ما خلقتم وقال إن البيت الذي فيه الصور لا تدخله الملائكة (صحيح البخاري # 2105)
Aaishah (Radiyallahu Anha) reports that I had once purchased a cushion with pictures of animate objects on it. When Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) saw it, Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) stood at the door way and refused to enter the house. I noticed displeasure on his face and I thus said, O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) I immediately repent to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Have I committed any sin? Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) then asked, what is this cushion? I replied, ‘I purchased it for you so that you may sit on it and use it as a cushion. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, the makers of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Qiyaamah and it will be said to them, instill life into what you have created. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) thereafter mentioned, Indeed, the angels do not enter a home wherein there are pictures.
All the Ahadith mentioned above clearly indicate to the impermissibility of photography whether it be digital or conventional photography.
ALLAH TA’ALA IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 02 Muharram 1446 / 09 July 2024