BENEFIT 213: Da'wah is Tawqeefiyyah (confined to the evidences)!

Sheikh Abdulḥamīd Az-Zu'kari ḥafidhahullāh: The majority of scholars, both past and present, agree on the prohibition of Tasweer of living beings, based on more than seventeen hadiths found in Bukhari and Muslim, among other sources. This is aside from the corroborating and supplementary narrations. Our Sheikh Muqbil, may Allah have mercy on him, has a book [on this subject] titled "The Ruling on Depicting Living Beings". Moreover, the arguments used to justify the permissibility of Tasweer have been addressed and refuted by scholars, both past and present. If you reflect over the commentary of Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, in his explanation of Sahih Muslim, as well as the speech of others such as the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwas, they have all invalidated the arguments that claim only sculpting is forbidden and not photography; and that this is merely storing the shadow. Our Sheikh Muqbil and other scholars have clarified these matters as well. Therefore, anyone who adopts Tasweer of living beings as a means of Da'wah is deemed an innovator and an immoral person; because they are adopting a method that Allah and His Messenger have not prescribed. Allah Almighty says to His Prophet: {وداعيا ألى الله بإذنه وسراجا منيرا} "And a caller to Allah by His permission and an illuminating lamp." (Quran 33:46). Sheikhul Islam [ibn Taymiyyah] stated, "Whoever calls to other than Allah has committed shirk (associating partners with Allah), and whoever calls to Allah without His permission (i.e. Utilising means which He ﷻ has given no authority for) has innovated." Thus, using Tasweer of living beings for Da'wah purposes is an innovation. As for those who engage in this practice without this specific intention, but rather as many Muslims do, they are considered sinners for committing a major sin. The Prophet ﷺ cursed those who engage in this and warned them with severe punishment in Hell. Allah is the One from Whom help is sought. @almanhajussalafi.