Western cultures is taking over the land and lots has been invented. Over the years, one of the most convenient way to inform people that you are getting married is by posting your pre-wedding picture.
Sadly, this is an innovation not known to the predecessors. Neither the prophet nor the companions did it not even the third, forth or fifth generation
While we acknowledge that customs and traditions has a great place in Nikkah, we must also be aware that it’s been guided by Islamic tenets.
In Islam, Allah forbids Zina and whatever can lead to it. Among what can lead to it is the touching of opposite sex who are not married, although, the society sees no wrong in this but Islam seriously frowns at it.
Pre-wedding picture, is undoubtedly Haram, this is due to many reasons which shall be highlighted soon.
To start with, Pre-wedding picture falls under the concept of Tabarruj (wanton display of adornment) which is haram for the believing women. A woman should be covered and not expose herself unnecessarily. This understanding is from the basic reasons why Islam obligates ladies to wear Khimar. A detailed explanation of Tabarruj is explained in Suratu Nuur verse 31 (Q24:31).
Undoubtedly, the manifest function of the pre-wedding picture is to show the beauty of the “intending couple” to the world, this which I doubt that a man who has gheerah (protective jealousy for his women) will ever allowed. Any man who allowed such was properly referred to by the prophet as “Duyooth” (a fool, who lacks protective jealousy for his women). Even, a woman with the correct understanding of Islam and a bit of Hayaa (shyness) will never display herself for the public.
Moreso, before a man and a wowan can have access to each other, touch or even hug each other, the four conditions of Nikkah must have been met. The conditions are; Waliy (The guardian; this which can only be a male mostly the father to the bride), Ijab Wal Qubul (Proposal and Acceptance), Mahr (dowry) and Shahidain (at least 2 witnesses). Where the 4 conditions are not met, whatever happened between the two is regarded to as Zina, it may be a major or minor Zina as the case maybe. However, Mahr (dowry) maybe delayed but there must be an agreement between the two. Also, scholars differ on weather or not Walimah (banquet/ceremony) is compulsory but at least it’s an emphatic Sunnah. The point here is that, Nikkah rites might have been completed and the couples will have rights on each other, this right extends to touching, hugging and even copulating each other before walimah. Where the rites has been satisfied, it’s still not allowed for the couples to have a pre-wedding pictures, reliance is so much place on the argument canvassed above (Tabarruj).
It’s so unfortunate that most wedding pictures are made even before the four conditions are met. This in the light of Islam is undoubtedly Zina, although a minor one as explained by the prophet where he said, All the son of Adam will have their share of Zina, the Zina of hand, eyes, ear…. the Zina of hand is touching (forbidden things)…..
Furthermore, Picture is Haram in Islam, this is based on legion numbers of authentic Ahaadith reported on it. Take for instance;
Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Those who will be most severely punished by Allaah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath, 10/382).
Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah, may He be exalted, says: ‘Who does more wrong than the one who tries to create something like My creation? Let him create a grain of wheat or a kernel of corn.'” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see Fath al-Baari, 10/385).
Taking pictures with a camera involves human actions such as focusing, pressing the shutter, developing, printing, and so on. We cannot call it anything other than “picture-making” or tasweer, which is the expression used by all Arabic-speakers to describe this action.
In the book Al-I’laam bi naqd kitaab al-halaal wa’l-haraam, the author says: “Photography is even more of an imitation of the creation of Allaah than pictures which are engraved or drawn, so it is even more deserving of being prohibited There is nothing that could exclude photography from the general meaning of the reports.” (p. 42, see also Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/355).
The fact that some scholars differ on rulings of picture is acknowledged but the reality is that all scholars who ruled that photography is allowed are much aware and careful to state that if it leads to Tabarruj then it’s allowed. For instance, Shaykh Assim Al-Hakim in one of his fatwah on picture said: “…as for men, it’s allowed to take pictures but it’s not allowed for women to take pictures and share it on social media as this is a form of Tabarruj.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen in one of his Khutbah said:
In addition to the reservations about taking pictures at wedding parties as mentioned above, there is a very serious reservation which is:
We have heard that some women bring cameras with them to take pictures of this celebration, and I do not know what justification these women have for taking pictures at these parties which are then spread among the people, intentionally or otherwise. Do those who take the pictures think that anyone approves of their actions? I do not think that anyone approves of what they do; I do not think that anyone would like his daughter’s or wife’s picture to be taken and kept by those misguided women to show to whomever they want, whenever they want? Would any of you agree for his mahrams’ pictures to be in the hands of other people, to be a source of mockery if they are ugly and a provocation of desire if they are beautiful?
We have even heard of something that is worse than that: that some people bring a video camera to these parties to take moving pictures, and they watch it themselves or show it to others every time they want to enjoy looking at these scenes.
We have also heard that some those who go to these parties and videotape them are young men, who mix with women at these parties or they sit alone with them, and no wise person who has any knowledge of the sources of sharee’ah will doubt that this is evil and is haraam, and that it is stooping to the lowest level of imitating the kuffaar.
He further states that: “With regard to taking pictures of events, no wise person will doubt that this is reprehensible, and no wise person – let alone a believer – would agree to let his mahrams’ pictures be taken – mothers, daughters, sisters, wives – to be a product to be shown to everyone or be viewed for the enjoyment of any immoral person………. This is something that will be denounced by every person of sound mind and proper religious commitment, and we cannot imagine that anyone who has a sense of modesty and faith would allow it.
In Conclusion, no matter the argument we intend to proffer here or there, the basic Islamic ruling on Pre-wedding picture is as clear as the daylight, it’s totally forbidden without any exclusion.
May Allah forgives us and grant us understanding of His Deen (Aamin)
Your Brother-in-Islam, Keulere Nabil O. 10th of Rabiu-thaani, 1444 5/12/2022
