Question
I am a professional fashion and commercial advertising photographer. I try my best to expose models with maximum covering and in the gestures those are not erotic or exciting in look but just fulfill the requirement of advertisement ideas.
I have been doing photography on a wrong way but finally I changed the track and decided to do the neat work only please guide me is this profession halal for me or if not then what actions should I take because it is sort of bread and butter for me.
Please give details.
Answer
In view of the fact that we do not hold photography to be prohibited in Islam, therefore, there is no reason why we should consider being a professional photographer to lack the approval of Islam.
The important question is not whether photography is prohibited, but that what limits should a Muslim observe in this profession. I personally feel that you are on the right track in listening to the call of your conscience and reviewing your professional activities. Projecting women as commodities, as has been the case in the modern-day fashion coverage, is clearly something that is against the socio-moral values that Islam wants us to honor. Your care and consciousness in this respect is what is truly required of you.
Take a second look at all the projects that do not get the approval of your heart and those about which your conscience feels burdened.
Always remember, if you turn down a business opportunity merely to please the Almighty, He will never let you down. He will never leave you alone in the time of your need. He, in His abounding grace, will create the right opportunities for you and shall provide for all your needs and wants, just as He has Himself promised:
Whoever fears God [in the case of His commandments], He shall create a way out [from his difficulties] for him and He shall provide for him from where he could never even have imagined. (Al-Talaq 65: 2 – 3)
I hope this helps.
Moiz Amjad