One of the largest Islamic institutions in India has reportedly banned Muslims from posting pictures of themselves on social media.
The Darul Uloom Deoband school in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is said to have issued a fatwa against sharing personal photos online, after deeming the activity “un-Islamic”.
The ban applies to both men and women – despite the seminary itself having a social media presence.
The fatwa was issued after a person wrote in to ask about Islamic law in relation to the publication of images to platforms like Facebook and Whatsapp,
“Unnecessary uploading of pictures on social media is wrong. Fatwa of Darul Uloom Deoband is appropriate,'' Shahnawaz Qadri told IBT India.
The institution did not say what should happen to the numerous images and other posts, which Muslims have already added to their social media sites.
The ban comes shortly after the Darul Uloom Deoband issued an unexpected fatwa against women plucking their eyebrows. It also reportedly urged women not to go to beauty salons.
That decision was also taken after a question was submitted by a follower.
"Muslim women should stay away from beauty parlours as Islam does not permit them to have make-up attracting other male members,” said seminary Chief Maulana Sadiq Qasmi..
“Like Muslim male are not allowed to shave under Islam, eyebrow trimming, hair-cutting and make-up like wearing lipstick, etc is also banned"
He added that the "trend of Muslim women going to beauty parlours has increased in the country," which he said was "not a good sign and it should be stopped immediately."
He added: "We should have issued a fatwa in this regard long ago."
