Are we permitted to take pictures when the head is totally excluded?

The jurists have permitted taking a picture without the head, i.e. from the shoulder down (not from the nose and mouth). However, this in no way promotes or even encourages one to take pictures.

Although it may be fundamentally permissible to keep such a picture, we would discourage one from taking pictures of animate objects (particularly where there isn’t a need to do so), as there always exists the possibility of the face and head being captured in the photo if the angle of the camera is slightly raised, albeit unintentional. It is a different issue altogether where a photo is taken due to a necessity, but without a necessity, it should be avoided.

Also, it is possible that a person starts taking pictures without including the head initially, but as time progresses, one tends to take things for granted and becomes lax in these matters. He becomes so accustomed to taking full pictures that he doesn’t regard it as a wrong action any longer, and even starts looking for excuses to justify his actions, which at times could put his Imaan in jeopardy. This is how Shaytaan deceives and misguides a person. We, therefore, advise abstention.