The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom: Photo and broadcasting the prayers directly a dangerous issue that may contradict sincerity

Samaha, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Chairman of the Senior Scholars Authority, the President of the General Research and Issuance of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Sheikh, called on imams and preachers to ensure sincerity and distance from hypocrisy and suspicions, including broadcasting and photographing their prayers and lectures through social media channels and sites in mosques that may occur in the holy month of Ramadan.

This came in a fatwa issued by His Eminence, in response to a question about the decision taken by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da`wah and Guidance to prevent the filming and broadcast of prayers and lectures through social media, in light of the keenness to achieve the legitimate interests from the spread of unproductive errors through social media.

His Eminence said: “This issue is dangerous, before this measure taken by the ministry, which is to prevent photography and broadcast prayers and lectures through social media, in order to remedy the mistakes that may occur, there is a question of sincerity and it is a condition for accepting the work, because the work is not acceptable except with the condition of loyalty to God, and that the work is according to the book and the Sunnah, so the issue is dangerous, which is what the Prophet – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – The smaller polytheism, they said: What is the smaller polytheism, O Messenger of God?

His Eminence in the fatwa issued that photographing prayers in mosques, speeches and lectures, as well as depicting acts of worship, such as prayer or performing rituals, has judgments that differ according to the intention and goal of photography, citing the saying of the Prophet – may God bless him and grant him peace -:

He added: “Sincerity is an important matter, which is what has spent the righteous beds, because whoever knows that every work is not requested by the face of God, then it is returned to its owner, so think and manage before he finds himself bankrupt on the Day of Resurrection, for Abu Hurairah – may God be pleased with him – he said: The Messenger of God – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – said: God Almighty said: Ibn Majah: (I am innocent of him and he is the one who involved), and God says: (So whoever is hoped for the meeting of his Lord, let him do good deeds, and do not share the worship of his Lord one).

His Eminence stated at the conclusion of the fatwa that a Muslim must be keen on sincerity as much as he can, asking God to provide everyone with sincerity and good deeds, and God bless and may God bless and grant peace to our Prophet Muhammad.