Printing images of others at their request

Question:

What is the ruling of one who sends you to the photocopy machine to photocopy his ID card? Is this action allowed and is he sinful?

Answer:

The one who sent you to photocopy his ID card, I do not advise you to answer his request.

Let him go; as for you, do not go. Let him go to the photocopy machine if he is in need of it – which he must be – as for you, do not photocopy it for him. This is what I advise you with except if he is disabled, childless and incapable of reaching the print shop and he has a need to make a photocopy; like he requires it for work purposes. In this case, it is OK for you to fulfill this request.

Even if it is a request from his father; if he is able – may Allaah reward him – he goes. Therefore do not go (on his behalf) in any case (while he is capable). (Going on his behalf in this case) would be incorrect.

(Explain to him) if the necessity or dire need was connected to me I would go. But it is connected to you and you are excused and I am not excused, you are excused and there is no sin upon you because you are in need of this and the sin is upon the one who forced you to do this whilst I am not excused.

Therefore I cannot go and make a photocopy and aid in this because and I am not excused. I don’t have an excuse before Allaah.

If you were to order me with something that is permissible I would go, no matter what it is is. As for me going to photocopy this picture for you; I am not excused whilst you have an excuse before Allaah due to your dire need, necessity and other than that from the excuses.

Answered by: Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy – may Allah preserve him

Source: https://t.me/abubilalhami/2982

Answered on: 4 Rabbi Al-Awal 1441 (1 November 2019)

Translated by: Abu ‘Abdillah ‘Omar ibn Yahya Al-‘Awaki