Having one’s photograph taken due to legal compulsion

Question

Question: Nowadays, as is clearer than the sun, whatever department of any government you go to, nothing gets done without a photograph. Likewise, if one learns driving and the like, there too permission is not given without it. So in such a case: this insignificant one wants to learn to drive a taxi or an auto-rickshaw, and the government does not give permission for it without a photograph. May he have a photograph taken?

Answer

Making an image of an animate being — whether by means of photography, or with a pen, or in the weave of cloth — is all impermissible; those who make images will suffer a very severe punishment. If a person is compelled by law, he is excused (maʿdhur).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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