بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.

The Ruling on Preparing a Banner Design That Will Later Contain Photos of Non-Mahram Men

First: The General Principle of Cooperation in Sin

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." — Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2)

The scholars of the Salaf have derived from this verse the principle that any action which directly facilitates, enables, or leads to haram is itself prohibited, even if the act in isolation appears neutral.

Second: The Ruling on Photos of Non-Mahram Men

The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Verdicts (Al-Lajnah Ad-Da'imah) and Shaykh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله) have stated that photography of animate beings is prohibited, and this prohibition is more severe when it involves non-mahram men and women, as it combines the prohibition of image-making with the fitnah of looking at the opposite gender.

Shaykh al-Albani (رحمه الله) also held the view that photographs of animate beings are impermissible based on the authentic hadith:

إِنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَذَابًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الْمُصَوِّرُونَ

"The most severely punished people on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers." — Sahih al-Bukhari (5950), Sahih Muslim (2109)

Third: Application to Your Situation

Your question is essentially about indirect participation in a haram act. The relevant fiqh principle here is:

مَا أَدَّى إِلَى الْحَرَامِ فَهُوَ حَرَامٌ

"That which leads to the haram is itself haram."

And also:

الوَسَائِلُ لَهَا حُكْمُ الْمَقَاصِدِ

"The means take the ruling of the objectives."

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) stated in Majmu' al-Fatawa:

"If a person knows that his action will lead to haram, then his action is haram, even if he himself does not directly commit the haram."

Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) elaborated on this in I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in, explaining that the one who prepares the path for sin shares in the sin's accountability.

Fourth: Your Specific Scenario

In your case:

1. You prepare the banner design knowing full well that photos of non-mahram men will be added to it.
2. You hand it over to another member specifically so they can add the photos.
3. The final product — which you initiated and enabled — will contain haram content.

This falls under cooperation in sin (al-ta'awun 'ala al-ithm). Your role, though partial, is a direct and intentional contribution to the production of a banner containing prohibited images. The fact that someone else adds the photos does not absolve you, because:

• You know the photos will be added.
• You intend for the banner to be completed with those photos.
• You facilitate the process by preparing the design.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

إِنَّ الْحَلَالَ بَيِّنٌ وَإِنَّ الْحَرَامَ بَيِّنٌ وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشْتَبِهَاتٌ لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنِ اتَّقَى الشُّبُهَاتِ فَقَدِ اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِينِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ

"The halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are doubtful matters which many people do not know. Whoever avoids the doubtful matters has protected his religion and his honor." — Sahih al-Bukhari (52), Sahih Muslim (1599)

This is a doubtful matter at minimum, and given the clarity of the prohibition, it leans toward the haram.

Fifth: The Excuse of "I Am Only Doing Part of the Work"

Some may argue: "I am only doing the design; someone else adds the photos." This is similar to the one who sells grapes to a wine-maker, or rents his property for a casino. The scholars have unanimously agreed that knowingly facilitating haram is haram.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) said in Fatawa Nur 'ala al-Darb:

"If a person knows that his work will be used for haram, it is not permissible for him to do it, even if he himself does not directly commit the haram."

Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan (حفظه الله) has also stated that working on advertisements, banners, or media that will contain prohibited images is not permissible, and the one who does so is a partner in the sin.

Sixth: What Should You Do?

1. Avoid this task entirely if possible. Request that another member handle the entire banner from start to finish.
2. If you must remain in the club, delegate the entire banner task to someone else — do not prepare even the base design if you know it will contain haram images.
3. Speak to the club leadership and explain your religious constraints. Perhaps the banner can be designed without photos (using names, titles, or text only), which would be permissible.
4. If no alternative is available, resign from this specific responsibility and seek a role that does not involve facilitating haram.

Seventh: A Warning Against Minimizing Sin

Do not let Shaytan deceive you into thinking, "It's just a design; I'm not the one adding the photos." This is the same logic used by those who say, "I only sell the alcohol; I don't drink it," or "I only print the magazine; I don't read it." The Prophet (ﷺ) warned:

لَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَسْأَلُ حَتَّى يَقُولَ: هَذَا حَلَالٌ وَهَذَا حَرَامٌ، فَإِذَا أَشْكَلَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَلْيَدَعْهُ

"A man will continue to ask until he says: 'This is halal and this is haram.' So if something becomes unclear to him, let him leave it." — Musnad Ahmad, authenticated by Shaykh al-Albani

Conclusion

Your involvement in preparing the banner design, knowing that photos of non-mahram men will be added, is not permissible. It constitutes cooperation in sin and facilitation of haram. You should either:

• Delegate the entire task to someone else, or
• Ensure the banner contains no prohibited images, or
• Withdraw from this responsibility entirely.

And Allah knows best. May Allah guide us all to what pleases Him and protect us from the paths of His displeasure.