Viewing family video tapes Fatwa No: 91423
- Fatwa Date:22-3-2006
Is it permissible to view old family video tapes which contained women who were not covered with Hijaab at that time?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
It is not permissible to view these tapes if it is forbidden for those who view them to look at these women, or that these women show what is beyond what is religiously permitted to look at. As regards when a person is allowed to look at all the body of the woman as in the case of his wife, or to look at some parts of her body because he is a Mahram (a non-marriageable relative) to her, then this is permissible. However, it is more appropriate to stay away from viewing such tapes as they usually contain some prohibitions; this is explained in Fatwa 83242. For the limits of an 'Awrah between a man and his female Mahaarim (non-marriageable relatives), please refer to Fatwa 85449. Similarly, you could refer to Fatwa 84143 in which we clarified the male Mahaarim in regard to a women.
Allaah Knows best.