Making and Modern Application
📖Sunan an-Nasa’i 2151
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet ﷺ said: The makers of these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them: ‘Breathe life into that which you have created.’”
This hadith emphasizes the severe consequences for those who create images of living beings without necessity. The punishment – being asked to give life to what they created – highlights the impossibility of such an act and the seriousness of attempting to imitate Allah’s creation.
Image-making: The Hadith about image-makers being punished on the Day of Resurrection primarily refers to:
- Idolaters who create images for worship.
- People who create images with the intention to deceive, corrupt, or promote immorality.
- Any image that leads people away from Islam or becomes a source of shirk or sin.
Permissible image-making:
- Capturing your own photos on mobile or creating illustrations for learning, education, or necessary purposes is generally allowed.
- The issue arises if these images are shared in immoral ways, glorify shamelessness, or promote sin. Even then, the individual may not be held to the severe punishment described in Hadith, but restraint is recommended.
Modern AI-generated images:
- AI today often collects data from existing images of real people.
- These images can be manipulated or combined to create nudity or immoral representations of real or fictional persons.
- If a person knowingly contributes to such content, shares it, or creates immoral AI-generated images, this falls under the same category as the classical warning: spreading shamelessness or corruption.
- Even if the AI technically generates the image, it relies on human input and shared data, making the user accountable if used immorally.
Recommendation:
- Personal photography is allowed, but avoid sharing images that could be used immorally.
- Creating AI content for entertainment is permissible only if it does not corrupt, deceive, or promote shamelessness.
If someone captures images or has them on their mobile, it is recommended not to share them indiscriminately. Only share when necessary, and avoid posting immoral images on social media. If a person passes away and had such images, they should be deleted from devices, or if they exist as prints, they should be destroyed by throwing them in water.
- Stubborn tyrants – those who oppress others deliberately.
- People who associate partners with Allah (idolaters or shirk practitioners) – knowing worship of false gods.
The hadith regarding image creation applies to those who knowingly create images for immoral purposes, idolatry, or to oppose the rights of others. If someone creates or shares images by mistake, they should seek forgiveness from Allah. If a person passes away having done so unknowingly, the ruling does not apply to them. Similarly, a non-Muslim who worships idols but did not receive the message of Islam will be judged differently, according to Allah’s justice and guidance.
📖Quran 24:19
Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows, while you know not.
This verse captures a broad range of harmful actions that corrupt society and faith. It refers not only to immorality in personal behavior but also to the spread of such corruption through others. This includes:
- People who create immoral images or content and knowingly share it.
- Those who contribute to such content, enabling others to spread it further.
- Idolaters and those promoting shirk through images or acts that mislead people.
- Tyrants and oppressors who harm others deliberately, spreading injustice and corruption.
In short, anyone who initiates, contributes to, or helps propagate actions that lead others toward immorality, disbelief, or oppression is captured under this warning. The verse emphasizes that Allah sees all intentions and actions, and even if humans are unaware, the punishment for such spreading of corruption is certain in this world and the Hereafter.
📖Quran 39:36
Is not Allah sufficient for His servant? And yet they threaten you with those besides Him. And whoever Allah leaves astray – for him there is no guide.
📖Quran 2:120
And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, “Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.” And if you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper.
This verse warns Muslims against imitating the practices, desires, or cultural trends of non-Muslims in ways that contradict Islamic guidance. It applies to:
- Following Western or non-Islamic systems that promote immorality, shamelessness, or corruption.
- Creating or spreading images, content, or media that lead people away from Allah’s guidance.
- Adopting ideas, education, or philosophies that contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah, like idol worship, shamelessness, or falsehoods.
The verse aligns with Hadith regarding image-makers and immoral influences: just as the Prophet ﷺ warned that those who knowingly create images or spread corruption will face punishment, this Qur’anic verse emphasizes that blindly following the desires of others, after receiving clear Islamic knowledge, leaves a person without Allah’s protection.
📖Quran 4:105
Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, so that you may judge between the people by what Allah has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate.
📖Quran 4:58
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.