She wants to take photos of herself to track her weight loss

22-2-2010 | IslamWeb

Question:

Asalamulaikum, I am embarking on a health and fitness regime in order to get rid of unwanted excess weight for medical reasons (I am on the waiting list for a kidney transplant and my doctor advised I lose some weight so I can be fit for the operation InshAllah). I understand that photography in Islam is harram, however, I would like to take pictures of myself during the different stages of my weight loss progress as this will increase my motivation every time I see the changes. What is the fatwa on this matter?
JazakumAllahukhairan

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

The contemporary jurists  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them differed in opinion about the ruling on photographic pictures, and we [in Islamweb] favor the opinion that says that they are permissible. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 87005, 83020 and 83249.

However, there are many disadvantages for a woman in taking these pictures, not the least of which is that non-Mahram men could see them. Therefore, it is better for you to completely avoid such pictures. You may just look yourself in the mirror or track your weight loss using a balance.

Allaah Knows best.

www.islamweb.net