Sheikh Mohamed Kamal, a Dar Al-Ifta fatwa secretary, addressed a question about a friend taking someone's photo while he was not wearing a T-shirt and then posting the image on social media without his permission.
He explained that photographing people and publishing their photos without their consent is not permissible, as it constitutes an infringement on their privacy and their right to control the use of their personal images.
Islamic Ruling on Posting Someone's Photo Without Permission
Sheikh Mohamed Kamal explained that using a phone to photograph someone without their knowledge and then publishing the image on social media without consent constitutes an infringement of personal privacy.
He stressed that the issue is not limited to whether the photograph shows an awrah or contains anything provocative. The person's consent and privacy must also be respected, meaning their image should not be published without permission.
Does Not Wearing a T-Shirt Make the Photo Prohibited?
The fatwa secretary clarified that a man's appearance without a T-shirt is a separate issue from photographing and publishing his image without permission.
He explained that a man's awrah in Islamic law is the area between the navel and the knees. If this area is properly covered, simply not wearing a T-shirt does not in itself constitute a violation of the awrah rules.
However, publishing the photograph without the person's consent remains impermissible because it violates his privacy and personal rights.
How Should Someone Deal With a Friend in This Situation?
Sheikh Mohamed Kamal advised dealing with the situation calmly and wisely by speaking to the friend and asking him to delete the photographs and refrain from reposting them.
If the friend refuses, a trusted person close to him can be asked to intervene and encourage him to remove the content out of respect for the person's privacy.
Is it permissible to post someone's photo without permission?
No. Publishing someone's photograph without their consent is not permissible because it violates their privacy.
Is it prohibited for a man to appear without a T-shirt?
Not necessarily. If the area between the navel and knees is covered, simply not wearing a T-shirt is not itself a violation of the awrah rules.
Is someone sinful for photographing another person without their knowledge?
If the act involves violating the person's privacy or publishing the image without consent, the person may be sinful for that conduct.
What should I do if my friend posts my photo without permission?
Speak to the friend calmly and ask him to delete the photo. If he refuses, a trusted person close to him can help persuade him to remove it.
Is permission required before publishing someone's photo?
Yes. A person's consent should be obtained before publishing their photograph in order to respect their privacy and personal rights.
