Fwd'ing
Is watching TV permitted in Islaam ? If so under what conditions ?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The issue of watching films is not free from numerous reservations from a
shar'i point of view, such as uncovering 'awraat, listening to music,
spreading corrupt beliefs and calling for imitation of the kuffaar. Allaah
has commanded us to lower our gaze, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden
things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is
purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the
believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and
protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)" [al-Noor 24:30-31].
Since lowering the gaze is the basis of protecting the private parts, it is
mentioned first. Allaah has made the eyes the reflection of the heart: if a
person lowers his gaze, the desire in his heart will be reduced, but if a
person looks and stares, the desire in his heart will be provoked.
In Saheeh Muslim (1218) it is reported that Al-Fadl ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah
be pleased with him) was riding behind the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr) from
Muzdalifah to Mina, when some women riding on camel-borne sedan chairs
passed by. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) turned his [al-Fadl's] head away. This was prevention and denunciation
through action, for if looking were permissible he would have approved of
what he did.
In Saheeh al-Bukhaari (6343) it is reported that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Every son of Adam has his
share of zinaa decreed for him, and he will undoubtedly get his share. The
eye commits zinaa and its zinaa is looking. The tongue commits zinaa and its
zinaa is speaking; the feet commit zinaa and their zinaa is walking; the
hands commit zinaa and their zinaa is touching. The heart longs and desires
for something and the private parts confirm that or deny it."
He began by mentioning the eye because this is how the zinaa of the hand,
foot, heart and private parts begins. By mentioning the zinaa of the tongue,
he pointed out that the mouth can commit zinaa by speaking. And he stated
that the private parts can confirm that if they make the deed happen, or
deny it if that does not happen.
This hadeeth gives the clearest indication that the eye can sin by looking
and that this is its zinaa. This is a refutation to those who say that
looking is allowed in all circumstances.
It was also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "O 'Ali, do not follow a look with a second, for the first
look is allowable but not the second."
A look has the same effect on the heart as an arrow has on its victim. If it
does not kill him, it will wound him. It is like a spark of fire in dried
grass; if it does not burn all of it, it will still burn some of it. May
Allaah have mercy on the one who said:
"Everything starts with a look, and big fires start from little sparks.
How often has a heart been dealt a fatal blow like that of an arrow, with no
need for a bow.
As long as a man's eyes are looking around, looking into the eyes of others,
he is in a state of danger.
His eye delights in that which could destroy his heart. The joy that may
lead to harm is not welcome."
Hence Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Fataawa
3/227:
With regard to television, it is a dangerous device and its harmful effects
are very great, like those of the cinema, or even worse. We know from the
research that has been written about it and from the words of experts in
Arab countries and elsewhere enough to indicate that it is dangerous and
very harmful to Islamic beliefs ('aqeedah), morals and the state of society.
This is because it includes the presentation of bad morals, tempting scenes,
immoral pictures, semi-nakedness, destructive speech, and Kufr. It
encourages imitation of their conduct and ways of dressing, respect for
their leaders, neglect of Islamic conduct and ways of dressing, and looking
down on the scholars and heroes of Islam. It damages their image by
portraying them in an off-putting manner that makes people despise them and
ignore them. It shows people how to cheat, steal, hatch plots and commit
acts of violence against others. Undoubtedly anything that produces so many
bad results should be stopped and shunned, and we have to close all the
doors that could lead to it. If some of our brothers denounce it and speak
out against it, we cannot blame them, because this is a part of sincerity
towards Allaah and towards other people.
Whoever thinks that this device (TV) can be free of these evils and can be
used only for good purposes if it is censored properly is exaggerating and
is making a big mistake, because the censor may miss things and most people
nowadays want to imitate the foreigners. It is very rare to find censors who
are doing their job properly, especially nowadays when most people are only
interested in time-wasting entertainment and things that turn people away
from true guidance. Reality bears witness to that.
We ask Allaah to keep us safe from all evil for He is the Most Generous.
Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)
------------------
"I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has a grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path. (The truth)"
(11:55-56)
Is watching TV permitted in Islaam ? If so under what conditions ?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The issue of watching films is not free from numerous reservations from a
shar'i point of view, such as uncovering 'awraat, listening to music,
spreading corrupt beliefs and calling for imitation of the kuffaar. Allaah
has commanded us to lower our gaze, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden
things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is
purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the
believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and
protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)" [al-Noor 24:30-31].
Since lowering the gaze is the basis of protecting the private parts, it is
mentioned first. Allaah has made the eyes the reflection of the heart: if a
person lowers his gaze, the desire in his heart will be reduced, but if a
person looks and stares, the desire in his heart will be provoked.
In Saheeh Muslim (1218) it is reported that Al-Fadl ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah
be pleased with him) was riding behind the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr) from
Muzdalifah to Mina, when some women riding on camel-borne sedan chairs
passed by. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) turned his [al-Fadl's] head away. This was prevention and denunciation
through action, for if looking were permissible he would have approved of
what he did.
In Saheeh al-Bukhaari (6343) it is reported that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Every son of Adam has his
share of zinaa decreed for him, and he will undoubtedly get his share. The
eye commits zinaa and its zinaa is looking. The tongue commits zinaa and its
zinaa is speaking; the feet commit zinaa and their zinaa is walking; the
hands commit zinaa and their zinaa is touching. The heart longs and desires
for something and the private parts confirm that or deny it."
He began by mentioning the eye because this is how the zinaa of the hand,
foot, heart and private parts begins. By mentioning the zinaa of the tongue,
he pointed out that the mouth can commit zinaa by speaking. And he stated
that the private parts can confirm that if they make the deed happen, or
deny it if that does not happen.
This hadeeth gives the clearest indication that the eye can sin by looking
and that this is its zinaa. This is a refutation to those who say that
looking is allowed in all circumstances.
It was also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "O 'Ali, do not follow a look with a second, for the first
look is allowable but not the second."
A look has the same effect on the heart as an arrow has on its victim. If it
does not kill him, it will wound him. It is like a spark of fire in dried
grass; if it does not burn all of it, it will still burn some of it. May
Allaah have mercy on the one who said:
"Everything starts with a look, and big fires start from little sparks.
How often has a heart been dealt a fatal blow like that of an arrow, with no
need for a bow.
As long as a man's eyes are looking around, looking into the eyes of others,
he is in a state of danger.
His eye delights in that which could destroy his heart. The joy that may
lead to harm is not welcome."
Hence Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Fataawa
3/227:
With regard to television, it is a dangerous device and its harmful effects
are very great, like those of the cinema, or even worse. We know from the
research that has been written about it and from the words of experts in
Arab countries and elsewhere enough to indicate that it is dangerous and
very harmful to Islamic beliefs ('aqeedah), morals and the state of society.
This is because it includes the presentation of bad morals, tempting scenes,
immoral pictures, semi-nakedness, destructive speech, and Kufr. It
encourages imitation of their conduct and ways of dressing, respect for
their leaders, neglect of Islamic conduct and ways of dressing, and looking
down on the scholars and heroes of Islam. It damages their image by
portraying them in an off-putting manner that makes people despise them and
ignore them. It shows people how to cheat, steal, hatch plots and commit
acts of violence against others. Undoubtedly anything that produces so many
bad results should be stopped and shunned, and we have to close all the
doors that could lead to it. If some of our brothers denounce it and speak
out against it, we cannot blame them, because this is a part of sincerity
towards Allaah and towards other people.
Whoever thinks that this device (TV) can be free of these evils and can be
used only for good purposes if it is censored properly is exaggerating and
is making a big mistake, because the censor may miss things and most people
nowadays want to imitate the foreigners. It is very rare to find censors who
are doing their job properly, especially nowadays when most people are only
interested in time-wasting entertainment and things that turn people away
from true guidance. Reality bears witness to that.
We ask Allaah to keep us safe from all evil for He is the Most Generous.
Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)
------------------
"I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has a grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path. (The truth)"
(11:55-56)
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