Fatwa

Women posting pictures of themselves on social media

Question

I would like to know whether it is permissible for a woman to post pictures of herself on social media including selfies and profile pictures of them dressed up in a beautified manner or any manner. Can a husband prevent his wife from engaging in such an act? Is it sinful to post pictures of themselves?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran,

وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ (النور: 31)

Translation: “Say to the believing women that they should lower their gazes and protect their chastity and not expose their beautification.”

Posting pictures of oneself online for all to see violates this divine command and is therefore sinful. If one were to say that it’s a private account which can only be viewed by some people, then too one cannot ensure that other people’s spouses (non-mahrams) will not view those pictures. Furthermore, spiritual sicknesses such as Hasad (envy) and Riyaa (pretentiousness) are rampant, and one cannot claim to escape them by posting pictures online.

There is literally no good or benefit that can arise from this practice. It is therefore the husband’s duty to prevent his wife from doing so.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Bilal Pandor

Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia

www.daruliftaazambia.com