Installing surveillance cameras

Question:-

I am in the process of purchasing a security company. The company comprises of two main components – guarding and surveillance.

The guarding contract is quite straight-forward in that the company provides a 24hr security guard to oversee the premises in return for a service fee.

The surveillance component consists of two parts:
1. Installation of cameras
2. On the request of the client, 24hr surveillance of the installed cameras.

Since photography is Haraam, would the second component of the business i.e. installation and surveillance, be permissible?

Answer:-

Under normal circumstances, we do not approve of installation of surveillance cameras due to the impermissibility of picture-making and videos. We generally advise store-owners to employ additional staff instead of installing surveillance cameras. However, in your situation, we assume that these cameras will have to be monitored 24 hours or particularly at night, due to break-ins into businesses or homes. If these are high risk areas and there is no other suitable option of monitoring except through surveillance cameras, then on the basis of necessity, it will be acceptable to have the cameras installed and monitored. However, the television screen should be continuously monitored by some individual without recording the images.

Notwithstanding the above, if there are number of businesses that require monitoring in one particular area, then having an armed response vehicle parked in the area should be considered. Afterall, the armed response vehicle is eventually dispatched if any criminal activity is witnessed at any of the monitored premises. In this instance, the need for surveillance cameras in the area will fall away as the armed response is stationed in the area.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 02 Safar 1444 / 31 August 2022