Changing Allah’s Creation and Digital Enhancers
Question: Is it considered “making something like Allah’s creation” to use normal digital enhancers on pictures that improve the brightness etc.?
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
No, basic changes like brightness and saturation are not considered “making something like Allah’s creation.”
Adding ears, funny hair, or other significant changes to the essence of the beings in the picture may well be problematic and should be avoided. This is especially the case if the end result is an animal/being that does not exist in reality (al Hawi al Kabir, Mawardi; Bahr al Madhhab, Ruyani).
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Allah Most High has said, ‘And who is more in wrong than those who try to create the likeness of My creation? Let them create an atom, or let them create a wheat grain, or let them create a barley grain!’ (Bukhari and Muslim).
In general, one should avoid using photography of animate life unless there is some overwhelming benefit that cannot be achieved otherwise.
But at the end of the day, what is categorically sinful without any discussion is making a statue or three-dimensional form of animate life.
Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/what-is-the-ruling-on-taking-photographs-of-humans/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/are-drawings-for-educational-purposes-permissible/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/shafii-fiqh/is-it-disbelief-to-draw-pictures/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/maliki-fiqh/the-maliki-view-on-pictures-of-humans-and-animals/
I pray this helps.
[Ustadh] Farid
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language
