Requesting a teacher’s photo in order to appoint him

Question

People outside India invite some ‘alim (religious scholar) from India to teach children, but those people ask for a photo of the ‘alim only in order to see him. Is it permissible to have a photo taken? In the same way, in matters of marriage they ask for a photo of the young man — what is the ruling?

Answer

Neither of these two things is such that permission for a haram act would be given for it. What need is there to see the teacher’s photo for the education of children? His character and circumstances can be learned by letter. The same is the case with marriage: a photo is not needed for it either.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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