Taking pictures of women in Qur’aan teaching centres and showing them on satellite channels

Praise be to Allah.

Women are obliged to cover their entire bodies in front of non-mahram men, because of evidence that we have quoted previously in the answers to questions no. 11774 and 92801 

It is not permissible to allow anyone to take pictures of women when their faces are uncovered or to transmit these pictures on satellite channels or otherwise. 

We have previously discussed the negative consequences of women participating in satellite channels -- even if they wear niqaab. Please see the answer to question no. 134785 

Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan ibn Naasir al-Barraak (may Allah preserve him) was asked: What is the ruling on a female daa‘iyah appearing on TV in full shar‘i hijab for the purpose of da‘wah and fatwas? 

He replied: 

The basic principle is that the woman is fitnah in her image and her voice. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I am not leaving behind me any fitnah more harmful to men than women.” (Agreed upon). Hence those who follow their whims and desires are very keen to introduce women into all media programming, both audio and video. Based on that, it is not permissible for a woman to appear on TV, even if she is wearing hijab, in the name of da‘wah and giving fatwas, because innumerable men will listen to her even if she only appears on the channel on the basis of teaching women. Moreover, there is no need for her to undertake da‘wah and issue fatwas via TV channels. The basic principle is that that is to be done by men, and men are more suited to that. Throughout Islamic history men have been the ones to teach, call people to Islam and issue fatwas in the mosques and so on. They are the khateebs and imams. It is not permissible for women to do any of these things unless it is among other women. 

Moreover it is well known that women’s participation in video and audio media results in things that are contrary to sharee‘ah, such as their going out unnecessarily, mixing with men, making images of them even if they do wear hijab. This results in negative consequences that Islam came to prevent, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery, etc.) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.

And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32-33].

A woman may be making a display of herself in her clothing even if she wears hijab. 

Based on the above I say: It is not permissible for a woman to appear on satellite TV channels as a daa‘iyah, mufti or teacher. Rather she should restrict her da‘wah activities to her fellow women at home or in a school or in the women’s prayer space in the mosque. 

On this occasion we advise our sisters who are in charge of Islamic channels to fear Allah and not to be deceived by the words of those who have wrong views and do not see anything wrong with women appearing on Islamic channels and even promote that and support it with specious arguments. It is sufficient to note that this is in accordance with the whims and desires of modernists, who do not care about anything but falsehood or that which leads to falsehood. Hence they like the Islamic channels on which women appear and they regard them as keeping pace with modern times, and they do not like the channels on which no women appear and they regard them as backward and describe the people in charge of them as being extremists. These people are like those of whom Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“but those who follow their lusts, wish that you (believers) should deviate tremendously away from the Right Path”

[an-Nisa’ 4:27]. 

We ask Allah to guide us to the straight path and to keep us away from the path of those who earned His Anger and of those who went astray. End quote from Shabakat Noor al-Islam. 

And Allah knows best.