Can I Meet an Ex-Partner to Ensure That He Deleted My Photos?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
A man threatened to share my pictures after I ended contact with him. He claims to have deleted them but has lied before. Can I meet him in a public place just to ensure the pictures are deleted, or is this impermissible?
Answer
Thank you for your question. No, you may not because he wants to lure you into meeting him for his mischief and will lie or threaten you in another way.
Gender Interaction
I feel that you have repented but I want to remind you that gender interaction has serious limits in Islam. A man and woman may not be talking uselessly, texting, chatting or hanging out or meeting socially. A boyfriend-girlfriend relationship is sinful and out of the question. Having pictures of each other is wrong because we must be lowering our gaze from the opposite gender. Your repentance should include the intention to never repeat the sin and Allah loves those who repent.
Allah (Most High) has told us in the Quran,
“Say, (O Prophet, that Allah says,) ‘O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran, 39:53]
Empty Threats
He most likely will not share the pictures, and if he does, you should call the police and report him. Don’t trust him; don’t go near him; you must cut off all contact. Don’t feel scared by his cowardly threats. At this point, there is nothing you can do but pray. Ask Allah (Most High) to help you during this time to maintain your modesty, but if something happens, you must persevere with patience and prayer.
Allah (Most High) has told us in the Quran,
“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient.” [Quran, 2:153]
Dua
Ask Allah to help you during this time by praying on time, reading and reflecting on the Quran every day and turning to Him in supplication, like this one below:
رَبِّ إِنِّى لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَقِيرٌۭ
“My Lord! I am truly in (desperate) need of whatever provision You may have in store for me.” [Quran, 28:24]
Please see more details here:
- How Do I Repent after Sharing My Wife’s Revealing Photos Out of Anger?
- How Can I Get My Ex-boyfriend To Delete My Pictures After I Got Religious?
- Beyond Hijab: Modesty Amongst Women in Islam
- A Reader on Tawba (Repentance)
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied ‘aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
