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What is the ruling on taking pictures of the washing of the deceased on a video tape, then selling it on the grounds that it is for the sake of reminding people of death?
Praise be to Allah.
If what is meant is taking pictures of the deceased whilst he is being washed, that is not permissible, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade making images of animate beings and he cursed the image-makers and said that “they will be the most severely punished of the people on the Day of Resurrection.”
But if what the questioner means is in order to explain how to wash the deceased in the manner prescribed by Allah on a video cassette tape which is to be distributed and sold, then there is nothing wrong with that, just as recordings may be made to teach people how to pray and other things which people need, but without making still pictures or photographs.
May Allah help us all to acquire beneficial knowledge and to do righteous deeds.