Rulings on watching TV

[Sister Unknown]

Ruling on watching TV
Is watching TV permitted in Islaam ? If so under what coditions ?



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
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

[Sister Unknown]

Negative Effects of Television

Spending too many hours watching television, consumes the precious time that can rather be spent in fruitful and healthy activities like exercise or reading. It also uses up the time that you can rather spend with your family and friends. Chatting with your near ones, spending time with your close ones is a better expenditure of time than in watching TV.

The children of today watch television for long hours. Many a time, they spend their evenings watching their favorite programs on TV. At times they stay up late to watch films on TV. This activity adds to their sedentary hours. The addiction to television deprives them of their time to play. Children should rather engage in physical activities during the evenings. They should go to the open spaces to play with friends or spend time reading some good books. Moreover, watching television is detrimental to one's eyesight. These activities can help them live a healthier living.

Some researchers claim that the attention deficit disorders in children are a result of watching television. They say that watching television leads to a developmental disorder in the part of the brain, which is responsible for language skills. Children, who watch television and read less, show difficulties in paying attention or concentrating. Children spending long hours in watching television are susceptible to being affected by attention deficit disorders.

Television is one of the effective media, which are used to propagate all types of products. Unsupervised television watching in children can lead to an early exposure to a wide variety of things. Television advertisements may influence the children to resort to improper measures. Commercials about fast foods, cold drinks or other such products that are not good for health, are bound to leave an impact on children watching them. Attractively presented advertisements and film stories deeply impact young minds, thus influencing the thoughts and behavior of children.

People watching television, especially children and youngsters, start identifying with what is shown on TV. They relate to television shows and films to such an extent that they get bored of living a normal and simple life. They crave for fame and riches; they yearn for living the lives of their favorite TV characters. This may lead to a high amount of dissatisfaction in the masses. As real life is the contrast of the life portrayed on TV, such TV addicts become hungry for power, money and status.

Studies in psychology have shown that watching intense emotions on television leaves a long-lasting impact on one's mind. Horror scenes, ghosts, frightful scenes that are featured on television have a negative impact on the minds of people watching them. Violence, murder, bloodshed and physical abuse that is shown on television impacts the thoughts and emotions of the spectators.

Television is one means of recreation but its excessive use is detrimental to one's physical and mental health. You need to strike a balance of everything in life.

BY Manali Oak