Ruling on taking pictures of the washing of the deceased as a lesson or reminder

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As-Salaamu-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
What is the ruling on taking pictures of the washing of the deceased on a video tape, then selling it on the grounds that it is for the sake of reminding people of death?
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
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Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

If what is meant is taking pictures of the deceased whilst he is being washed, that is not permissible, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade making images of animate beings and he cursed the image-makers and said that “they will be the most severely punished of the people on the Day of Resurrection.” 

But if what the questioner means is in order to explain how to wash the deceased in the manner prescribed by Allaah on a video cassette tape which is to be distributed and sold, then there is nothing wrong with that, just as recordings may be made to teach people how to pray and other things which people need, but without making still pictures or photographs. 

May Allaah help us all to acquire beneficial knowledge and to do righteous deeds. 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam

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