Omar (ra) Series on YouTube

Edit-- Just saw the disclaimer!

Love this series, I too was reduced to tears many a time. It is so in depth and covers more than I think I would ever give myself a chance to read on.

I got up to ep 26 and am patiently waiting for the other parts to get subbed and uploaded.

So far, some very hardcore right wing Muslim sects have caused an uproar about the series. I have examined their claims and found them to be very weak. One such person had the audacity to pose the question "Did you get permission from Umar (RA) to make this series?" - as if that wasn't blasphemy in itself, implying that the dead can talk to the living. Idiot. It's mentality like this that makes me even more fervent in completing the series.

Well done MBC, for once - you got something right

Scimi

format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar

So far, some very hardcore right wing Muslim sects have caused an uproar about the series.

You don't think they had artists and craftsmen during the time of the prophet? If they didn't paint or chisel them the time they were alive why should we while they passed on? Did they want their legacy in the form of 'acting'? Also I don't know what hardcore 'sects' those are. Any Muslim who is ahel as'sunnah wal'jama3a should feel outraged by this.

That's all I want to say on the matter. I am not discouraging folks from watching. I am certainly not going to encourage it either..

Books are the best way to learn about something. Visualizations help sometimes in studies, such as memorizing anatomy. But certainly not in history!

format_quote Originally Posted by منوة الخيال

You don't think they had artists and craftsmen during the time of the prophet? If they didn't paint or chisel them the time they were alive why should we while they passed on? Did they want their legacy in the form of 'acting'? Also I don't know what hardcore 'sects' those are. Any Muslim who is ahel as'sunnah wal'jama3a should feel outraged by this.

That's all I want to say on the matter. I am not discouraging folks from watching. I am certainly not going to encourage it either..

Well sis, I was in Topkapi Palace in Turkey and saw a lot of Islamic art from the early period. And yes, I saw depictions of sahabi RA, but not the Prophet pbuh. So if they could do it back then... then really?

format_quote Originally Posted by CosmicPathos

Books are the best way to learn about something. Visualizations help sometimes in studies, such as memorizing anatomy. But certainly not in history!

I agree. However, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Scimi

format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar

Well sis, I was in Topkapi Palace in Turkey and saw a lot of Islamic art from the early period. And yes, I saw depictions of sahabi RA, but not the Prophet pbuh. So if they could do it back then... then really?

Only shiites have taken such a liberty and I have seen many a vile things and some not so vile by them in this regard. It is a question of whether it is allowed to depict them in this manner or not, and I'll leave that to ahel Al'ilm. If you were my sibling I'd beat you up for watching but given that you're my brother in Islam I am only going to say my peace!

I feel beaten up by you just mentioning it sis :| I don't even know how to feel anymore...

I apologize I shouldn't have said that to you..

no worries sis, I was just making light of it I know your intentions are good.

Scimi

Assalamu-alaikum,

I had a disagreement with someone about the representation of the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in movies and plays, as happens a great deal nowadays. He said that this serves an interest, calling people to Islam and spreading noble Islamic morals and attitudes. What is your opinion on this matter?

Praise be to Allaah.

The Sahaabah have a high status in Islam, because they were the contemporaries of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him); they fulfilled the duty of supporting him and being loyal to him, and they strove for the sake of Allaah with their efforts, their wealth and their selves. Hence the scholars are agreed that they are the elite and the best of this ummah, and that Allaah gave them the honour of being the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He praised them in His Book when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allaah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration (during prayers)”[al-Fath 48:29]

And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) praised them when he said: “The best of my ummah is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.” (al-Bukhaari, 3650; Muslim, 2535)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against belittling them, mocking them or insulting them when he said: “Whoever insults my companions, the curse of Allaah, the angels and all of mankind will be upon him.” (al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2340).

Portraying any one of them on stage or on the screen is contrary to this praise from Allaah, and is detrimental to the high status and honour which Allaah has bestowed upon them. That is because representing any one of them in this fashion exposes them to mockery and ridicule. Actors are usually people who have no room for righteousness, piety and Islamic morals in their lives. Moreover those who put on plays are doing that as a means to earn money, and no matter how much they try to avoid it, it will involve some lying and backbiting.

Representing the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) has an effect on their status in the hearts and minds of the Muslims, and paves the way for Muslims to doubt their religion. It also necessarily implies that one of the actors will play the role of Abu Jahl or one of his ilk among the kuffaar, and he will have to utter words insulting Bilaal, and insulting the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the message of Islam that he brought. Undoubtedly this is a great evil.

What is said about this serving the interest of calling people to Islam and spreading noble Islamic morals and etiquette is simply an assumption and wishful thinking. Whoever knows the real nature and aims of actors will realize that this kind of acting is in sharp contrast to the real nature of the actors and their audience.

One of the basic principles in Islamic sharee’ah is that if a matter both serves an interest and does some harm, if the bad outweighs the good then it is haraam. Representing the Sahaabah may serve some interest but the harm done by this is far greater than any good that might be achieved.

So in order to protect those interests and ward off the harm, and to preserve the honorable status of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), we must not allow that.

Based on the above, it is haraam to represent any of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in movies or plays etc.

And Allaah knows best. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.

Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, in Majallah al-Buhooth al-Islamiyyah, 1/223-248.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/14488

Asalaamu Alaikum,

It's only fair I post this so people can be better equiped in choosing to watch it or not..

^ I wasn't aware that the people in the series weren't actors nor did I know that it is possible to ask people who have passed away for their thoughts.

Please, this pious emotional argument minus any textual evidence doesn't hold any weight. If you don't want to watch, I respect that but I really can't take arguments such as the one in the video seriously.

Please read the disclaimer in the original post.

format_quote Originally Posted by Ibn Abi Ahmed

Disclaimer: If you don't agree with them showing the Companions, you are free to disagree. But please don't prevent it from others who will benefit from it.

Wa-alaikumsalam akhee,

Im just playing advocate here:

If our prophet (sallahu alaihi wasalam) was enacted/ portrayed in a series - how would you feel about this?
Not happy, right?

Would you feel satisfied to read a disclaimer regarding his (salalahu alaihi wasalam) portrayal in a movie?
No?

Well, in the same manner, and for those who wish to take heart to the above posted fatwa - a disclaimer does not do justice in this regard.

Akhee, this is not an attack on you.
But rather a means for us to all learn, and insha Allah stay away from that which may be even potentially displeasing to Allah.


For, the Prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam] said:

"Both legal and illegal things are obvious, and in between them are (suspicious) doubtful matters.

So whoever forsakes those doubtful things lest he may commit a sin, will definitely avoid what is clearly illegal;

and whoever indulges in these (suspicious) doubtful things bravely, is likely to commit what is clearly illegal.

Sins are Allah's Hima (i.e. private pasture) and whoever pastures (his sheep) near it, is likely to get in it at any moment."

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 3.267, Narrated An Numan bin Bashir

I too have learned something new today, when I read the above ruling.
I would have loved to watch this series (judging from the comments that have been made about it) - but I think its probably better to err on the side of safety in matters such as this.

Insha Allah, the book on the life of Umar (ra) is even better than this series, and will make us cry on every page that we read. : )

And Allah knows best.

There is also no textual evidence which shows Prophet pbuh should not be depicted. But if he was to be depicted in a similar drama, how'd you feel Muraad? Why two reactions for Prophet's depiction and for Sahaaba's depiction when there is textual evidence for neither?

format_quote Originally Posted by CosmicPathos

There is also no textual evidence which shows Prophet pbuh should not be depicted. But if he was to be depicted in a similar drama, how'd you feel Muraad? Why two reactions for Prophet's depiction and for Sahaaba's depiction when there is textual evidence for neither?

Let's discuss this if/when they come out with such a drama

Man, honestly I didn't make this thread to start this discussion. I just wanted to discuss the series with others who have watched it and were as moved and touched by it as I was.

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~

Wa-alaikumsalam akhee,

Sr. Zaria - I don't agree with that fatwa. The viewers are aware that i) it is not the actual Companion and ii) it is not taking away from the Sahaba's high status in the mind of the viewer.

Anyway, I had written this elsewhere, and I'll just CAP it here:

I feel differently - I think that not all people are the same. Yes, deen is supposed to be learned from the scholars but this series, to the best of my knowledge, does not claim that it is there to teach the deen. It is there to tell a story - and that story is the life of Umar (ra) which it does very well - professional, great accurate script, great imagery and great acting. It holds attention of a wide audience and has the potential to reach even further and that is saying a lot compared to the approach of getting people to sit in front of scholars which is not something most people will do (or can do due to personal circumstances, time, family work etc). I mean, we've seen how great this approach has worked when we see where most of the youth spend their Friday and Saturday nights. Now I'm not saying this series will turn that around but sticking to that way and putting the cap on new initiatives like this due to being afraid to utilize new methods will only increase that number. People are not the same and they react to different things. It is a series that will reach many people who otherwise wouldn't have been reached. I know a few people that have already watched this and it has drawn them closer to the deen. It became a gateway for them towards good. Why? Because it inspired them. Nothing wrong with a little bit of inspiration.

Today where entertainment is widespread and most people are watching TV and movies - it is imperative that we don't isolate ourselves from utilizing these means and coming up with beneficial series such as this one. Most people come home from a long day of work, tired and exhausted. They're going to watch TV - this is a fact (practicing or not-practicing) - is it better they watch something like this or a random TV show? I very much think the former.

The matter of portraying the Companions by actors is a matter of dispute amongst the scholars and it is fact that there is no textual evidence that prohibits this - I for one know of many that approve of this including a student of Sh. Al-Albani. If one believes it is not allowed -that is his prerogative.

It's important, especially in contemporary times, that we don't write things off because they're not inline with our traditional understanding of Islam when the methods are not textually prohibited. And it is very important to remember that not all people are the same and with the way most people are engrossed in entertainment - these kinds of productions should be promoted and encouraged. Series like these are beneficial and and entertaining. After all, who said the two are mutually exclusive? These series do something that nothing else does - that is, it provides a viable alternative to what is out there. All the places I've heard criticism from (and I'm speaking very generally here) against this and initiatives like this (some of which I honestly consider nitpicking) are the same places that do not themselves provide any viable alternative themselves. They condemn, state why they believe it is Haram, but when it comes to actually providing alternatives for the communities - there's nothing there. It's really frustrating to see that.

Imagine if we had a whole library of series like these on the Sahaba and that was shown to our kids in our Islamic schools? These same kids that grow up watching action movies and super hero movies like Batman, Spider-Man and Superman - making them their heroes and wanting to be like them. Do you think they'll still be thinking about them that much? I doubt it. I think they'll start saying "I want to be like Umar (ra) when I grow up!". We need that. We really do. And if we think we're going to make that happen by just telling them stories when they watch spectacular movies like Batman - well, we'll be stagnant for the next generation as well.

format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar

Love this series, I too was reduced to tears many a time. It is so in depth and covers more than I think I would ever give myself a chance to read on.

I got up to ep 26 and am patiently waiting for the other parts to get subbed and uploaded.

So far, some very hardcore right wing Muslim sects have caused an uproar about the series. I have examined their claims and found them to be very weak. One such person had the audacity to pose the question "Did you get permission from Umar (RA) to make this series?" - as if that wasn't blasphemy in itself, implying that the dead can talk to the living. Idiot. It's mentality like this that makes me even more fervent in completing the series.

Well done MBC, for once - you got something right

Scimi

Me too, I finally finished Episode 26! Hopefully they'll have the rest up soon.

I think the most moving moment for me was the scene of Umar (ra) going and getting the food and cooking it for the woman and her children. "Will you carry my burden on the Day of Judgment as well?!". Man. Reading that before in the books was one thing, but seeing it portrayed is something else.

Man, I just wanna meet Umar (ra) and hug him lol.

I just watched 2 episodes and closed it.

the man portraying the Caliph has not done justice. Moreover the script is poor. All of a sudden the drama shifts from Umar in byzantine/syria to msg of muhammad pbuh, and all of a sudden Umar, who is depicted as a man of wisdom, is depicted as a short-sighted angry person who joins along with whom he hates in the beginning: the leaders of tribes. If you read biography of Umar, you'd see he is a much more complex person during the period of jahiliya, you cant dilute his character in some drama.

Moreover, many sequences seem contrived, such as where Ali as a child is telling his father about Islam. So contrived!

the biography of Umar by Anwar al Awlaki, frankly, is much more captivating.