Is it haraam to buy pictures of male and female singers?

?Is it haraam to buy pictures of male and female singers

  Is it haraam to buy pictures of male and female singers in which the head, shoulders and hair only appear? Please note that the female singer is uncovering her hair and there are no pictures of her in which her hair is covered, and this is only because of love of the artist, or because she is one’s favourite artist.

Praise be to Allaah.

  The basic principle with regard to pictures of animate beings is that they are haraam, whether they are three-dimensional (statues) or two-dimensional, such as pictures in frames, on clothing, or otherwise. 

  This prohibition has to do with the issue of making images, regardless of whether there is anything in the picture itself that is contrary to sharee‘ah in the first place. Pictures of scholars, men, children or animals all come under this ruling; it is the picture itself which is contrary to sharee‘ah. 

  But if in addition to that the picture includes something that is contrary to sharee‘ah, such as if it is a picture of a naked woman or one who is showing part of her body, even if it is the face and hands, then it is more haraam and a greater sin, because it includes another thing that goes against sharee‘ah in addition to image-making. 

  So how about if the picture is of those who promote evil and spread immorality, such as actors, singers and the like, whose images are traded in shops that promote evil and vice, to make sick hearts even more attached to them? The one who knows the ruling on image-making will have no doubt that they are haraam. Moreover, it is known what effect these pictures have of filling the heart with infatuation and corrupting it. This is what the questioner is expressing when he says “this is only because of love of the artist”. What more do you want after that, O slave of Allah?! 

  The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3075) and Muslim (3930). 

  Once it is understood that it is haraam to keep these images, we know that whatever Allah has forbidden, buying and selling it is also haraam, and spending money on it is a waste of money and is a kind of extravagance that is haraam. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “May Allah curse the Jews. Animal fat was forbidden to them, so they sold it and consumed its price. When Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, forbids eating something, He also forbids its price.” Narrated by Ahmad, 2546. 

And Allah knows best.