What is the ruling on using images of living beings (such as a bear, cat, child, or woman) as avatars in forums, and what are the consequences of browsing these forums and viewing such images?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
There is no harm in browsing forums that contain pictures of animate beings and looking at them, as long as the pictures are not of a woman; due to the Almighty's saying: "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/103132
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 103132
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy