Is Harry Potter frowned upon?

[IslamicRevival]

Southpark is pretty bad. The people who make it try to be clever, but it is all really about shock and controversy.

Plus, I notice that nobody has actually tried to post a real fatwa about this either. Usually we get one in the first few posts. Unfortunately finding real fatwas is hard on the internet...

Salaam. Yusuf Estes has given a short but inspiring lecture on programmes like these. He says TV is allowed....as long as it isn't plugged in. SubhanAllah!

Unfortunately the video has been removed from youtube due to the copyright malarkey!

If i find the video i will post the link here

 

[Wyatt]

Great, that's a relief then. :statisfie
I grew up with a Christian step-mother that freaked out when she saw I was reading Harry Potter. I had to hide it from her for years, until I was reading the fifth one and just didn't care what she thought anymore.

Like someone said earlier, there are worse things and I think caring more about a fictional, moral book than what other stuff children may get into is rather ignorant.

-And the magical world, animals, etc. are good things to broaden the imagination of anyone. And if one is religious, or even non-religious, then they will just need to remind themselves that it's not real.

As for anything godless, especially stories and movies, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. This is off the topic, possibly, but if someone bans other viewpoints from their children, it's disrespectful in my opinion. (Not that Harry Potter is a viewpoint on anything religious.)

Though, J.K. Rowling has said she does believe in God, though she has had trouble with it over the years (obviously if you learn about her personal history) as anyone else in the world has.

 

[doorster]

I could have sworn that this here website was to promote Islam and not to sing praises of any other ideology

And the magical world, animals, etc. are good things to broaden the imagination of anyone. And if one is religious, or even non-religious, then they will just need to remind themselves that it's not real.

 

[Wyatt]

I could have sworn that this here website was to promote Islam and not to sing praises of any other ideology

I don't see how that is praising another ideology. Where's the ideology in imagination?

 

[noorseeker]

too many i thinks i feel , is halal , haram. We always look for 200 ways to get out of something

 

[doorster]

I don't see how that is praising another ideology. Where's the ideology in imagination?

you asked "Is Harry Potter frowned upon?" you were given some (non-Islamic) opinions (based on their own likes) of persons populating this forum.

I gave you links and text showing that according to educated people of Islam:

‘Harry Potter’ books and movies are all about magic and mythology, and that is why reading or watching them is to be avoided. There is almost a consensus among Muslim scholars that learning magic is haram. For sure, there are many useful books and movies to read and watch other than ‘Harry Potter’. The issue becomes more dangerous when parents allow their children to watch or read such stories as it may affect their creed in their earliest years."

and you respond with:

Great, that's a relief then. :statisfie
I grew up with a Christian step-mother that freaked out when she saw I was reading Harry Potter. I had to hide it from her for years, until I was reading the fifth one and just didn't care what she thought anymore.

Like someone said earlier, there are worse things and I think caring more about a fictional, moral book than what other stuff children may get into is rather ignorant.

-And the magical world, animals, etc. are good things to broaden the imagination of anyone. And if one is religious, or even non-religious, then they will just need to remind themselves that it's not real.

As for anything godless, especially stories and movies, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. This is off the topic, possibly, but if someone bans other viewpoints from their children, it's disrespectful in my opinion. (Not that Harry Potter is a viewpoint on anything religious.)

Though, J.K. Rowling has said she does believe in God, though she has had trouble with it over the years (obviously if you learn about her personal history) as anyone else in the world has.

which means that you had no intention of finding out the Islamic viewpoint on the subject, rather you wanted validation of what you believed in already (or worse still you wanted to preach occultism by strategy)

 

[Wyatt]

you asked "Is Harry Potter frowned upon?" you were given some (non-Islamic) opinions (based on their own likes) of persons populating this forum.

I gave you links and text showing that according to educated people of Islam:

‘Harry Potter’ books and movies are all about magic and mythology, and that is why reading or watching them is to be avoided. There is almost a consensus among Muslim scholars that learning magic is haram. For sure, there are many useful books and movies to read and watch other than ‘Harry Potter’. The issue becomes more dangerous when parents allow their children to watch or read such stories as it may affect their creed in their earliest years."

and you respond with:

which means that you had no intention of finding out the Islamic viewpoint on the subject, rather you wanted validation of what you believed in already (or worse still you wanted to preach occultism by strategy)

That was more in response to the many other islamic viewpoints that agreed with me that it's not a big deal. You seemed to be the only one that was anti-Harry Potter. At "‘Harry Potter’ books and movies are all about magic and mythology,..." it was evident to me that you probably have not read one to realize that the real point of Harry Potter is much more moral than magic and mythology. It says that in such an imaginary world, the problems of people are just the same as the people living in the real world.

How could I even be trying to preach occultism when the point I'm supporting is to expand the horizons of people's minds instead of keeping them shut in to one doctrine and banning stuff that can teach valuable life lessons? I'm not against Islam in the least or I wouldn't be on this board.

That's, at least, the way us agnostics believe. I'm sorry if I have offended you.

 

[doorster]

That was more in response to the many other islamic viewpoints that agreed with me that it's not a big deal. You seemed to be the only one that was anti-Harry Potter. At "‘Harry Potter’ books and movies are all about magic and mythology,..." it was evident to me that you probably have not read one to realize that the real point of Harry Potter is much more moral than magic and mythology. It says that in such an imaginary world, the problems of people are just the same as the people living in the real world.

How could I even be trying to preach occultism when the point I'm supporting is to expand the horizons of people's minds instead of keeping them shut in to one doctrine and banning stuff that can teach valuable life lessons? I'm not against Islam in the least or I wouldn't be on this board.

That's, at least, the way us agnostics believe. I'm sorry if I have offended you.

That was more in response to the many other islamic viewpoints that agreed with me that it's not a big deal

there are no Islamic viewpoints that would agree with you for it goes against our creed/aqeedah

it's not a big deal

being on the correct Aqeedah (or attempt at deviation from it) is a huge deal

That's, at least, the way us agnostics believe. I'm sorry if I have offended you.

no problem there

 

[Banu_Hashim]

I can assure you, anyone reading Harry Potter doesn't do it to practice pagan magic. It's simply a series of books that has an interesting story line with characters that people can relate to. That's why it's a popular series. Also, the theme of magic is what makes it a fiction. Hence, it's not real and Muslims and non-Muslims understand that. I've read Harry Potter and the Belgariad series by David Eddings which is about as magical as you can get.

I think some people are looking at these books in the wrong way, looking at everything in the worst possible scenario.

It's just a book!

 

[Wyatt]

I can assure you, anyone reading Harry Potter doesn't do it to practice pagan magic. It's simply a series of books that has an interesting story line with characters that people can relate to. That's why it's a popular series. Also, the theme of magic is what makes it a fiction. Hence, it's not real and Muslims and non-Muslims understand that. I've read Harry Potter and the Belgariad series by David Eddings which is about as magical as you can get.

I think some people are looking at these books in the wrong way, looking at everything in the worst possible scenario.

It's just a book!

And I think the ones doing so are the ones who have been too scared to pick up the book and read it or even watch a movie of it. :ermm:

 

[doorster]

I can assure you, anyone reading Harry Potter doesn't do it to practice pagan magic. It's simply a series of books that has an interesting story line with characters that people can relate to. That's why it's a popular series. Also, the theme of magic is what makes it a fiction. Hence, it's not real and Muslims and non-Muslims understand that. I've read Harry Potter and the Belgariad series by David Eddings which is about as magical as you can get.

I think some people are looking at these books in the wrong way, looking at everything in the worst possible scenario.

It's just a book!

and you have a Ph. d from? you must be more knowledgeable than all the people I quoted from, since you are, by implication, a bigger Aalim, I must ask you to read rule 18 then come back and provide evidence from Quran and Sunnat for your views

 

[Banu_Hashim]

and you have a Ph. d from? you must be more knowledgeable than all the people I quoted from, since you are, by implication, a bigger Aalim, I must ask you to read rule 18 then come back and provide evidence from Quran and Sunnat for your views

Basically, your emphasising that people try to learn magic from Harry Potter. I'm saying that this almost never happens.

I agree learning magic is wrong and harmful for the soul. But seriously, Harry Potter in particular is just a story book. It has no evil intentions. It's just to read for enjoyment.

 

[Woodrow]

Without trying to direct anyone to believe as I do and without expressing my own opinion I will just reply with some questions.

1. Is there any benefit to be found in the Harry Potter books?

2. Is the book a harmless distraction from reality, or an introduction into the occult?

3. Are there better books to refer a young person too?

 

[doorster]

Basically, your emphasising that people try to learn magic from Harry Potter. I'm saying that this almost never happens.

I agree learning magic is wrong and harmful for the soul. But seriously, Harry Potter in particular is just a story book. It has no evil intentions. It's just to read for enjoyment.

Basically, your emphasising that people try to learn magic from Harry Potter. I'm saying that this almost never happens.

can you show me where I emphasised that?

 

[Banu_Hashim]

Is that not your main objection to reading harry potter?

 

[doorster]

Is that not your main objection to reading harry potter?

fear of corrupting the aqeedah (belief system) of children is my objection

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shinqiti, Director of the Islamic Center of South Plains, Lubbock, Texas, states the following:

".....

According to the trustworthy people who (have) read the works of “Harry Potter” it is all about magic and mythology. Therefore, I would not advise young people to read it or parents to give it to their children.

The attractive way in which these works are done is very dangerous and might negatively affect the basic concept of `aqeedah or Islamic creed and values of our youth. People of knowledge recognize the impact such artistic works might have on the mind and soul. The late well-known Muslim poet, Muhammad Iqbal, is quoted to have said: “Aridity of logic cannot overwhelm the beauty of poetry.”

Therefore, a Muslim is advised to stay away from these attractive but poisonous works."

 

[Banu_Hashim]

Right, OK. That's fair enough. I didn't find it particularly damaging to my Emaan or aqdeedah, but there you are.

 

[doorster]

Right, OK. That's fair enough. I didn't find it particularly damaging to my Emaan or aqdeedah, but there you are.

lololol! you had to have the last word, regardless!

like I said it before, repetitively, 'To me my deeds, and to you your deeds".

but if you want to promote an opinion or idea here as being compatible with the Muslim creed, then as per rule 18, provide evidence otherwise just say that it is what you personally like based on nothing but you own experience, logic and desires/likes/dislikes

 

[BlackMamba]

Haha it's Harry Potter cmon guys there are SO many worse things that Muslims could and are doing than reading fiction books. Why focus on this. Yes, I guess you could make the argument that it is timewaster (laghw) and Allah tells us not to engage in those activities. But reading does have benefits, so I wouldnt consider it a timewaster. Playing halo or gta or fifa would be worse than reading harry potter. So people that consider it haraam also have to consder MANY more thingss haraam than the average Muslim would...like halo

 

[Banu_Hashim]

lololol! you had to have the last word, regardless!

like I said it before, repetitively, 'To me my deeds, and to you your deeds".

but if you want to promote an opinion or idea here as being compatible with the Muslim creed, then as per rule 18, provide evidence otherwise just say that it is what you personally like based on nothing but you own experience, logic and desires/likes/dislikes

I'm afraid it's a habit . What is this rule 18? The bit that you quoted from the Sheikh?