Q: My friends have some of my photos; I requested them to return the photos in order to destroy them out of fear from Allah. Some responded and others refused on the pretext that the sin falls upon them, not upon me. Is this correct? Please, advise.
Allah (may He be Praised) wipes out one's sins, if one sincerely repents of them. Allah (may He be Praised) states: And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful The Prophet (peace be upon him) states: Islam wipes out all that has gone before it (previous misdeeds) and repentance also wipes out all that has gone before it. You should destroy all the photos you have, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): Spare no portrait undamaged and leave not a high grave unleveled.'' Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) book of Hadith.You are discharged from responsibility for your photos that people have so long as you asked them to return the photos and they refused. In this case, repentance covers up the sin and the sin is with those who keep them. May Allah guide all Muslims!