Taking photographs of beings with souls or hanging them in Masjids and other places

A: It is not permissible to take photographs of animate creatures or to hang them in Masjids and other places such as houses, due to the general proofs on the prohibition of photographs. Al-Bukhari and Muslim relate in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith and Al-Nasa'y on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon them both) said: (Part No. 1; Page No. 691) Those who take pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to them: Breathe a soul into what you have created. Similarly, Al-Tirmidhy related from Jabir ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) that The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not allow hanging pictures in homes and forbade people doing that. Also, it is related in Sahih Muslim on the authority of `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Spare no pictures unwiped out, and leave not a high grave unleveled. As for offering Salah in a Masjid (mosque) where photos are hung, it is valid and the people who are responsible for the Masjid should be advised until they remove these photos.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.