Keeping photographs

The question:

What is the preponderant ruling regarding keeping photographs or videos as keepsakes as for a wedding ceremony? And this by keeping them in a computer.

The answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

If the photographs do not contain prohibited things by the Sharia, they are a necessity or a need for people, and they are used for an educational purpose or for orientation, or as means of explanation for educational and instructive purposes, then they will be permissible, as it is mentioned on the authority of `Â'isha رضي الله عنها as regards her playing with dolls⁽¹⁾. As for other cases, it is better to avoid them.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers, Safar 14^th, 1427H.
Corresponding to: March 14^th , 2005.

(1) Reported by Abu Dâwûd, chapter of “Good manners” (hadith 4934), on the authority of `Â'isha رضي الله عنها. This hadith has been judged as Hassan (good) by Al-Albâni in Âdâb Az-Zifâf (page: 203).