Question: There is negligence from some people regarding putting pictures on their cellphones, especially on WhatsApp and other than it. They use the excuse that it [the picture] is hidden?
Answer: “It is necessary that a Muslim fears Allah, the Exalted and not seek excuses for himself and seek justification for himself. For a picture is a picture. Pictures of things that possess a soul is prohibited and a major sin from the major sins. We mentioned in more than one place the evidences reported regarding it. So it is obligatory upon us not to be lenient in this affair so that Shaytan does not gradually draw us in through his footsteps. A person avoids receiving pictures on his cellphone and if something accidentally reaches [him], then he removes it quickly. He removes that and he should not participate in groups which have pictures of things that possess souls”.
[Fatawaa Muhammad Ibn Hizaam no. 179 published via Telegram]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan

Abu Sulaymaan