Is Posting a Baby’s Photos on Facebook Permissible in Islam?

Question: My baby is three months old, and I often upload the baby’s photos to Facebook. Many people leave kind comments and offer prayers after seeing the pictures. Will this benefit my child? Is there any possibility of earning rewards or committing sins through this practice?

Answer: Islam does not permit images of living beings, according to the religious interpretation presented here. A hadith states that those who make images of living beings will face the severest punishment on the Day of Judgement. Another hadith states that angels of mercy do not enter a house where prohibited dogs or images of living beings are present.

Therefore, images of human beings are not considered permissible under Shariah. However, the prohibition has been relaxed when photographs are taken for essential purposes, such as passports, identity cards, Hajj visas, claiming legal rights, and buying or selling land.

Taking photographs of your child does not fall under these essential purposes. Rather than using a prohibited means to receive kind comments or prayers, it is better to avoid posting such pictures. Those who wish to pray for your child can do so after reading your post, even without seeing a photograph.

Therefore, there is no clear basis for expecting religious rewards from this practice. However, Muslim scholars have not yet reached a unanimous final ruling on whether digital images displayed virtually, without being printed on paper, are entirely forbidden.

For this reason, it cannot be stated with certainty that posting your child’s photograph constitutes a sin. Nevertheless, since the possibility of sin remains, it is wiser to avoid the practice as a precaution. Respecting the hadiths is essential in every aspect of life. The more a person avoids sin, the more blessings, mercy and goodness may come into their life. As a mother, it is better to keep this concern in mind for the well-being of your child.