المملكة: Photography and spreading prayers contradicts sincerity and carries legal risks

The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, issued a fatwa in which he affirmed that photographing and broadcasting religious prayers and lectures through social media may carry legal risks, warning of hypocrisy and reputation that may contradict sincerity, which is a prerequisite for accepting works with God.
The fatwa of His Eminence, issued on 12 Ramadan 1446 AH, came in response to a question about the decision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to prevent the filming of prayers and lectures in the mosques and broadcast them through social media platforms.
He explained that the ministry took this measure to achieve the legal interest, and to limit the spread of errors that may occur and cannot be controlled.

Sincerity is the basis of acceptance of work

His Eminence indicated that sincerity is the basis for accepting the work, citing the hadith of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him: “If I fear what I fear for you the smaller polytheism,” they said: What is the younger polytheism, O Messenger of God? He said: “The hypocrisy” (Narrated by Ahmad).
He added that depicting acts of worship, whether prayers or performing rituals, his ruling differs according to the intention and its goal, inferring the hadith: “Whoever hears God heard him, and whoever sees me, God will see me.” (Narrated by Muslim).

Investigate the sincere intention

His Eminence called on the imams and preachers to avoid everything that might fall into hypocrisy, and focus on sincerity in the work, citing the saying of God Almighty:
At the end of the fatwa, His Eminence, God Almighty, asked everyone to have sincerity in saying and doing, calling on Muslims to investigate the sincere intention in their worship and deeds.