Using photos, videos and music to advertise on social media
Question:-
1. Many businesses are using social media to advertise. They use photos and vidoes of people and also music to advertise.
Is it correct to say it is a continuous sin to advertise this way, as it stays on these business’s social media accounts?
2. Is it permissible to advertise abaya, clothes etc. by using models but cutting out the face? Although the face is cut off, the hands, neck, hair and body shape of the woman is visible.
3. Can Mufti Saheb also please clarify the impermissibility of using photos/videos of people and music in advertising?
Answer:-
1. From the onset, one should keep in mind that using photos of animate objects, videos and music to advertise one products, is completely impermissible in Shariah. If photos of animate objects, videos and music is uploaded onto various social media platforms, which is then viewed by those surfing the net, then one will continuously be in sin until they are removed.
2. Regarding the use of ‘mannequins’ whose faces have been removed, although it will be fundamentally permissible to make use of them since the entire head is removed, even then we advise abstention from using such figures as it is considered as immodest. One should either use hangers to display cloaks, Kurtas, dresses, or just a simple clothing stand.
و( وإذا كان التمثال مقطوع الرأس ) أي ممحو الرأس ( فليس بتمثال ) لأنه لا يعبد بدون الرأس وصار كما إذا صلى إلى شمع أو سراج على ما قالوا ( فتح القدير ج1 ص 416)
3. Grave warnings have been cited in the Mubarak Ahadith with regard to the impermissibility of photography, videos and music. Below we have quoted some of these narrations:
عن مسروق عن عبد الله قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إن من أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة المصورون (صحيح البخاري رقم2298 )
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said: “Those involved in picture-making will be subjected to the worst form 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 مسلم رقم 2110)
Sa’eed bin Abil Hasan Rahimahullah reports, that a man once came to Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhuma and said, “I am a picture-maker so provide me with a Fatwa in regard to it.” Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhuma told him, “Come close to me.” The man drew closer to him. Then Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhuma told him, “Come even closer to me.” The man drew even closer to him until Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhuma placed his hand on his head and said, “I will inform you of what I heard from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. I heard Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying, “Every picture-maker will be in the fire of Jahannam. A creature will be made for every picture drawn (or taken by means of a camera, or by any other means) and he will then be punished in Jahannam. Therefore, if you have no other option but to draw a picture, then draw the picture of a tree or a lifeless object.”
With regard to music, Hadrat Abu Umaamah Radiallahu Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said: “Allah Ta’ala sent me as a mercy and guidance for the universe, and He commanded me to wipe out (destroy) musical instruments, flutes, stringed instruments or pianos, and deities that used to be worshipped during the days of ignorance.” (Musnad Ahmad)
عن أبي أمامة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ” إن الله بعثني رحمة وهدى للعالمين، وأمرني أن أمحق المزامير والكنارات يعني البرابط والمعازف، والأوثان التي كانت تعبد في الجاهلية ( مسند احمد رقم 22218)
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 28 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1444 / 23 November 2022
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb