Looking At Pictures

Gazing intentionally at pictures (of living things) to derive pleasure, is Haraam. If the gaze falls on such pictures unintentionally it will not be sinful.

Someone asked: “What if the picture is viewed from an artistic point of view?”

Hazrat Thanwi (Rahmatullahi alaih) replied: “Forget about artistic achievement or value of a picture-maker. It is unlawful to look at some things created by even the True Artist, Allah Ta’ala. Gazing at females and young lads is Haraam. The Fuqaha have well-understood the danger of such viewing ostensibly for the sake of art. The Fuqaha have ruled that it is not permissible to look at wine to derive mental pleasure.”