Salam. I would like to know is it permissible for a Muslim to take a pictures of a Muslimah who's wearing the hijab, whether they are showing their face and hands or not to upload the picture anywhere online? Also, is it permissible for a teenage boy to upload a video game that has no music on his YouTube channel, but he didn't cover the advertisement of a female who's unveiled that popped out of his game?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu`alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

In case this woman was displaying her face and two palms, he is not allowed to take pictures of her or film her, even if she permitted him to do so. That is because taking pictures of women or filming them may be employed as a means for temptation as these pictures or movies may be seen or watched, and thus should be kept away from to block the means to evil. Yet, if all of her body is covered, the most authentic opinion – Allah knows best – is that it is permissible to take pictures for her and to upload them to the Internet or any other means since what necessitates prohibition no longer exists.

However, we believe that the most authentic opinion – Allah knows the best – is that it is impermissible to download these movies in case they include scenes of a woman displaying her adornment, even if these scenes are occasionally played since this is considered a means to support the spread of corruption and evil. Allah, the Exalted, says (what means): {And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.} [Quran. 5:2] Apart from these scenes of women displaying their adornment and which necessitate prohibition, these movies are full of other things that render them totally prohibited.

Allah knows best.