Islamic Creed
What Is the Ruling on Recording with a Video Camera?
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen
Local English rendering of the selected Arabic question and answer. The Arabic source remains authoritative; this is not an official published English edition.
Question
What is the ruling on recording with a video camera?
Answer (English translation)
Recording with a video camera is acceptable if it is for a benefit — such as recording lectures or information that benefits a person. But if it is done frivolously, the least that can be said is that it wastes money and time in recording and in displaying it on a television set. In sum: if it is for a need or a benefit, it is acceptable; otherwise, leaving it is better.