Question:
Message:
As salaamu alaykum is it permissible for girls to post selfies on Instagram and
Snapchat in which non mahrams can see ?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is impermissible for a female to post pictures of herself online, even if Hijab, Niqaab is worn. The opposite gender may be attracted to such a picture, thereby causing sin to both the looker and the one who posted it. One of the most vital aspects when using social media is to control the gaze. The importance of abstaining from sins of the eyes is of extreme importance.
Allāh Ta’ala says in the Qur’ān:
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ
“Tell the believing men that they must lower their gazes”
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ
“And tell the believing women that they must lower their gazes”
Men and women have both been instructed separately in the Qur’ān to control the gaze.
Furthermore when it comes to social media, a lot more control and precaution is required to maintain Hayā (shame, modesty). Posting pictures which will be viewed by non-Maharam is obviously in contradiction of this. Hayā is an integral part of Imaan, Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Faith has seventy odd branches and modesty is a branch of faith”
It is a well-known fact that pictures on social networks are a means of connecting and promoting immoral relationships especially with the opposite gender.
Shari’ah has closed all doors to immorality. There are many verses of the Qur’an and Ahadith that indicates this. There is a saying that ‘butter next to fire will melt’. Every person knows that they have their base desires and the danger of attraction to the opposite sex. And what guarantee does one have that Shaitaan would not cast evil in the hearts of the viewers? Islam teaches that any act that leads to sin or becomes the stepping stone towards sin is also sinful and must be avoided. As such, females posting pictures of oneself or any female on social networks like Facebook, snapchat and Instagram is not permissible.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
