Is It Allowed to Film Intimate Moments with a Spouse If Privacy Is Ensured?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Can a Hanafi choose to adopt the Shafi‘i position in the Answer below on filming or photographing intimate moments with a spouse as long as care is taken to ensure that the materials are safe and inaccessible by anyone else (via encryption, etc.)?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

It would be permissible to photograph basic intimate films and intimate moments with one’s spouse. However, anything beyond that would not be advised or avoided. Consider the possible future harm in an age of social media.  When you can cherish private moments together, why record them? The phrase “Why have canned when you can have fresh” applies here.

Focus on the Day to Day

Intimate moments are valuable; you want them to be memorable and everlasting. However, it is also essential to recognize that in this life, practical moments and a sense of freshness enable each person to grow into a good eternal partner. These practical and happy moments arise from being dutiful to Allah and to one another.

Allah Most High said,

“And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.” [Quran, 30:21]

Rights of Women Over Their Husbands

Mu’awiyah al-Qushayri reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, what are the rights of women over us?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“That you feed them when you eat, you clothe them when you clothe yourself, you do not strike her face, and you do not rebuke her or boycott except inside the house.” [Abu Dawud]

A Dutiful Wife Enters Paradise by Any Gate

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month of Ramadan, guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from any gate she wishes.” [Ibn Hibban]

The Reward for Spouses Giving Each Other Drinks

‘Irbad ibn Sariya reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“Verily, when a man gives his wife something to drink, he is rewarded.” [Ahmad]

May you continue to grow in love and harmony and have blessed and righteous children. Amin.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction, insha’Allah.

Related: Intimacy Archives

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.