Important Principle

Question: Honourable Sheikh, may Allāh grant you success, someone says: "I advise those who take pictures using a camera, and they respond by saying that, "The matter is an issue of khilāf (difference of opinion)." His question is: What is the proper guideline for offering advice in these issues of khilāf? Sheikh Fawzān hafidahullah: I say: We have not been commanded to follow differences of opinion; we have been commanded to follow evidence. If someone holds a differing view and possesses authentic evidence, then we respect and honour that. But if they have no valid evidence, then their disagreement carries no weight. Yes, this is a principle that applies to all matters—not just to photography.