All praise is for Allah Lord of the Worlds and Peace and Blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad May Allah send peace and blessings upon him whom He sent as a mercy for the worlds.
Without doubt in the modern innovation of television there lies a host of un-Islamic factors. Insha Allah in this article I shall present a number of these factors with reasons for their impermissibility so that no doubt remains as to when television is illegal.
I ask Allah the Almighty that He, through His Infinite Grace and Mercy, forgives all those people who took part in the production of this booklet and those who seek to derive benefit from it, Aameen.
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The Pictures of Television
The Holy Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"The severest punished on the Day of Qiyaamah will be the picture makers." (Agreed)
Without any doubt, the consensus of Islamic legal opinion is that pictures of living objects are Haraam. Not a single Islamic Law book or a single jurist of Islam has given a contrary opinion. It is only some of the ‘learned’ ones of the 20th century who have and are endeavouring to abrogate the Law of Allah by despicably attempting to legalise absolutley any picture of an animate object. There are however a few purposive exceptions to this rule such as identification, security, medical and evidenciary material, etc that fall under rules of necessity and readers should refer individual cases to reputable scholars who can take all circumstances into consideration before advising. This article is concerned with the unnecessary display and vision of material of animate creation. The Law of Allah on unnecessary pictures of human beings or animals is final and irrevocable. Such pictures are condemned and outlawed by Shari'ah.
Television is a medium whose life and existence is dependent on pictures and the institution of picture production. Without pictures there is no television. The very term television means:
"The electrical transmission of pictures in motion…"
Islam forbids:
(i) the making of pictures,
(ii) the keeping of pictures,
(iii) entering houses wherein there are pictures displayed and
(iv) looking and gazing at pictures with desire or satisfaction are all forbidden in Islam.
A person who keeps a picture or a photo of an animate object is guilty of transgressing one or two of the above-mentioned Islamic prohibitions associated with pictures, for he may keep a picture without displaying it and looking at it occasionally. But, one who purchases a television set and enjoys its programmes is guilty of breaching all the Islamic prohibitions set out above. Let us deal with each factor individually.
Return to TitleMaking of Pictures
The first and foremost warning of Islam against pictures is directed at the picture-makers. Our Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"Every picture maker will be in fire."
"The severest punished on the Day of Qiyaamah will be the picture makers." (Agreed) "The severest punished persons on the Day of Qiyaamah will be those who imitated Allah’s aspects of creation." (Agreed)(NB: Our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam made this statement while destroying a picture.)
The television is a medium that not only displays, but also actually produces pictures. By switching on your TV set you are actually assisting in image-production. Thus, those who indulge in TV are guilty of the Kabirah (great) sin of producing pictures for which terrible chastisement has been threatened by our Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam.
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Keeping of Pictures
Islam has likewise forbidden the keeping of pictures of animate objects. Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"The Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there are pictures or a dog." (Agreed) Hazrat Aisha radiyallahu anha narrates, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihe wasallam returned from a journey and I had screened (the entrance) with a curtain on which were pictures. Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam ripped it (the curtain) off and said, ‘The severest punished people on the Day of Qiyaamah will be those who imitate Allah’s aspects of creation (i.e. life)."
Another reason for the prohibition of keeping pictures is the factor of Tashabbuh bil kuffar or imitating the unbelievers. Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi says, "One of the factors for the prohibition of pictures is Tashabbuh bil kuffar."
Angels of Mercy do not enter your home when your TV set is portraying the pictures of animate objects. Our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam commanded that pictures are destroyed, but the lover of television acts in direct contradiction to the command of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam by bringing into existence pictures by the use of the Television set.
So, when you switch on your television set then remember that you are guilty of a Kabirah sin of keeping and displaying pictures in your home. Your home is therefore deprived of Allah’s Mercy; the Angels of Mercy do not approach it; the Shayateen enter it and Allah’s wrath and our Nabi’s sallallahu alaihe wasallam displeasure settles with you. In maintaining pictures on your TV screen you are just as guilty as the one who decorates his walls and home with still pictures/portraits. You should know that the pictures on the television screen are also still pictures like all other pictures or photos. The motion you see on your TV screen is illusory and false. The ‘motion’ depicted on the screen is simulated by the rapid transmission of a large number of still pictures.
The Encyclopaedia International states:
"The illusion of motion in television is produced by showing 30 still pictures, or frames, each second. Through persistence of vision the brain retains each picture until the next comes along. We are not aware of the fact that our eyes are really seeing a rapidly changing sequence of a large number of slightly different still pictures."
There is a difference of opinion as to whether viewing transient live visual feeds as opposed to recordings fall into the same category as recorded static images or motion pictures.
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Entering Homes Wherein Pictures are Displayed
The abhorrence of Islam for pictures of living things is so great that even entry into houses wherein pictures are displayed is not permissible. The Angels of Mercy do not enter such houses. The Holy Messenger sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"The Angels (of Mercy) do not enter homes wherein there is a dog or picture."
Prophets of Allah do not enter homes wherein there are pictures displayed. The following incident in this regard is related by the noble wife of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam, Hazrat Aisha radiyallahu anha:
She had purchased a cushion decorated with pictures. When Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam saw it, he remained outside at the entrance, and did not enter. She perceived disgust on his face, hence she said, "O Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihe wasallam, I repent unto Allah and His Messenger. What sin have I committed?" Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam replied, "What is this cushion for?" She said, "I bought it for you to sit on and recline." Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, "Verily, the owners of these pictures will be punished, and it will be said to them, ‘Give life to that which you tried to create." Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam added, "Verily, the home which has pictures in it is not visited by Angels."
(Agreed)The Fuqahaa (Jurists of Islam) say on the basis of these Ahaadith that it is not permissible for a Muslim to enter a house in which pictures of living beings are displayed.Imaam Nawawi rahmatullahi alaihe states in Sharhul Muslim that Imaam Zuhra rahmatullahi alaihe said, "It is not permissible to use an object with pictures on it nor is it permissible to enter a house wherein there are pictures."
Now when you switch on your TV set remember that you are guilty of the sinful act of displaying pictures in your home. When the TV is playing in your home it is not permissible for Muslims to enter your home. The Angels do not enter such a home and Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam did not enter and chose to remain outside in disgust. In playing your TV set you are guilty of aiding and abetting a naked act of Haraam. And, Allah commands in the Holy Qur’aan:
"And do not assist each other in sin and transgression."
(Qur’aan 5:6)Return to TitleLooking at Pictures of Animate Objects
The Shari’ah of Islam has declared pictures of animate objects totally Haraam, hence it is not permissible to derive any type of benefit or use from pictures. The prime purpose of a picture is to look at to gaze at it thus deriving mental satisfaction and pleasure. A picture is of no use to a blind person. He cannot admire or criticise it. Since a picture is produced to be admired, to be looked at, to be gazed at, looking with admration or looking with satisfaction at it will constitute the fulfilment of the actual and prime purpose of picture making. A picture is meant to be looked at and admired. Thus in fulfilling the purpose of pictures which are Haraam we are aiding this Haraam practise of pictures, and in so doing we are transgressing Allah’s command in the Qur’aan,
"And do not aid (each other) in sin and transgression."
(Qur’aan 5:6)The Shari’ah ordains:To derive pleasure (or satisfaction) by looking at Haraam objects is Haraam.
Even if no evil factor is associated with the picture, looking at it is not permissible because a picture according to Allah’s Law is Haraam, and the most important use or benefit of a picture is to look, gaze and admire it. If any un-Islamic element or evil factor is associated with the picture, e.g., the picture is of a female or a man whose satar is uncovered or the picture is of a person consuming or advertising alcohol, etc., then the prohibition of looking at such a picture will be stronger.
(NB: Satar, i.e. that part of the human body the covering of which is compulsory according to the Shari’ah. The satar of a man is from the navel to just below the knees. The satar of a woman is from head to feet.)
It is not permissible for men to look at women,
Hazrat Jabir radiyallahu anhu reports, "I asked Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam about the gaze which falls suddenly (and unintentionally on a woman), and he (Rasoolullah) ordered me to divert my gaze (from the woman on which the gaze fell suddenly."
(Muslim)Like it is not permissible for males to gaze at females it is not permissible for females to gaze at males. The following verse of the Holy Qur’aan is explicit in this prohibition."Say (O Muhammad) unto the believing men: cast down your gaze and guard your modesty…
And say unto the believing women: cast down your gaze and guard your modesty…"
(Qur’aan 23:30-31)Our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam also ordered women not to gaze at men:Umme Salamah radiyallahu anha narrates that she and Maimunah radiyallahu anha were with Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam when Ibne Umme Maktoom (who was a blind Sahaabi) came to him. Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam ordered them (i.e. his wives): "Seclude yourselves from him (the blind Sahaabi)." I said, "O Rasoolullah. But he is blind, he cannot see us." Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam replied, "Are both of you blind as well? Can you not seen him?"
(Ahmad, Tirmizi, Abu Dawood)Hazrat Ali radiyallahu anhu narrates that he was once with Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam when he asked, "What is best for women?" They (the Sahaabah) remained silent (i.e. no one answered). Hazrat Ali radiyallahu anhu said, "When I returned (home) I asked Fatimah (radiyallahu anha) ‘What is best for women?’ She replied, ‘They should not look at men nor should men look at them (women).’ I then narrated this to Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam who replied, ‘Fatimah is a part of me (i.e. she said what I wanted to say – she understood it well)."There are many other Ahaadith of our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam on the same subject, i.e. forbidding the sexes gazing at one another. Leave alone gazing at women; our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam forbade males looking at even the thighs of men:
Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, "O Ali! Verily, the thigh is an object of concealment (satar). Never reveal your thigh, nor look at the thigh of a living or a dead person."
(Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah)And, leave alone looking at the satar of men or women, the Shari’ah ordains that it is not permissible to look at even the clothing of women if this stirs up passion in a man."Verily, looking at clothes (of a female) with lust is forbidden even though the clothing be such that the body cannot be seen through it."
(Durrul Mukhtar)It will be seen that ‘looking with lust’ is a crime in Islam. Now, wherever this element is present, the ruling of prohibition will apply. Whether looking at a woman or at the picture of a woman, the ruling of prohibition will apply because the element of lust exists in both cases. The Fuqahaa have clarified this point for us:"…this (the prohibition of looking with lust) is contained in the chapter of ‘looking at a female via a mirror or water (i.e. looking at her reflection in the mirror or in water)… …looking (at females) is forbidden because of the presence of the lust, and that (element of lust) exists here (i.e. looking at a woman or at her reflection in a mirror)."
The Shari’ah has forbidden ‘looking with desire’ at women; it has declared Haraam ‘looking without even desire or lust’ at the satar of males or females; it has banned ‘looking at the garments of females with lust’. The Shari’ah has forbidden ‘looking with desire’ at even alcohol. The Shari’ah ordains that it is forbidden to look at even the reflection of women in a mirror – therefore it can never be permissible to look at pictures of women, especially the pictures of scantily clad women on TV performing in a ‘lifelike’ manner.
You will now be in a position to easily understand that the Shari’ah has forbidden looking at unlawful things with desire or lust, and most pictures on the television screen is Haraam, hence looking with satisfaction, amusement and enjoyment at those pictures is Haraam. You are committing a Kabirah sin by your constant gazing at the Haraam on your television screen.
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Nudity, Immorality and Television
The most glaring evil propagated by the television media of the world is the crime of nudity and sexual immorality. Commercialised nudity and sexual immorality under the camouflage of educational pictures are accepted and necessary features of world television. The Modern World is haunted by the obsession of illicit sex, and it is this carnal obsession of illicit sex coupled with the unbelievers’ god of materialism that makes capital of the female body on TV as well as all other mass media.
The Islamic concept of morality and modesty is the very antithesis of the immorality dished out to the world via TV. Islam demands the concealment of the female body. The Holy Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"The woman is an object of concealment."
(Tirmizi - Mishkat)TV is an institution which is widely used to exhibit the female body. Islam has banned all forms of immorality and immodesty, but TV exhibits immodesty and immorality in their crudest forms by depicting the actual sex acts and, above all, it audaciously and shamelessly passes these off as educational. Television as a prime agent of immorality is very well borne out by the following report:The Evening Post dated 21st February, 1975, reports:
"In the film Dr. Christopher is seen holding up a contraceptive sheath and explaining its use to a class of boys and girls. Called ‘Sex and the 14 year old’, the film concentrates on advising young people how to avoid pregnancy."
The above quoted extract will suffice to indicate the sordid mess and mass of unspeakable immorality portrayed by the TV. Leading non-Muslims too have voiced their concern over the evils and filth shown on TV.
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Television as an Agent of Zina (Fornication)
Allah says in the Holy Qur’aan:
"And come not near to Zina."
(Qur’aan 18:32)The term, ‘come not near,’ means:Stay away from all such things and practices which lead to Zina – which are stepping-stones to fornication.
All practises, things and institutions which aid and foster fornication and immodesty are forbidden by Islam. There are different categories of this abominable crime of Zina. Our Holy Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam said:
"The Zina of the eyes is to gaze (at that which is unlawful, e.g., nudity). The Zina of the ears is to listen (to talks of nudity which excites the carnal desire). The Zina of the tongue is to speak (what is evil). The Zina of the hand is to touch (the female which is unlawful to you). The Zina of the feet is to walk (towards immorality). The Zina of the heart is to desire (what is unlawful), and it is the private part which either commits or shuns the actual act of fornication."
(Muslim)In this Hadith the Holy Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihe wasallam speaks of the Zina committed by the various parts of the human body. Thus, to look at the nudity and evil portrayed on the television screen constitutes the Zina of the eyes as said by Rasoolullah May Allah send peace and blessings upon him:"The Zina of the eyes is to look."
To listen to the immodest and illicit sex talks of the television is Zina of the ears, as Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said:
"The Zina of the ears is to listen."
Lust which is aroused by the display, discussion of nudity and perversion on the TV screen constitutes the Zina of the heart as our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam said:
"The Zina of the heart is to desire."
Television, therefore, is without any doubt a powerful agent and a stepping stone for fornication. In one Hadith our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam said that among the signs of the Final Approaching Hour is that the whole family (mother, father and children) will collectively indulge in Zina. Hazrat Moulana Yusuf Binnuri has interpreted this Hadith as a reference to the modern mother of immorality, the TV. We find today the whole family – father, mother, sons and daughters – sitting huddled together around the TV set viewing the obscenity and the nudity exhibited on the TV screen. Together, in a display of stark shamelessness, the whole family is committing Zina of the eyes, Zina of the ears and Zina of the heart, and Allah knows how many multitudes of men and women indulge in the final act of fornication as a result of watching and being aroused by the evil on the TV screen. Ponder over the words of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam.
Islam lays a great emphasis on modesty, so much so, that our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"Modesty is a part of Imaan (Faith)."
TV with its emphasis on illicit, depraved and bestial immorality is the very negation of the Islamic concept of modesty and shame. Mother, father and children together viewing the Zina – the fornication and vice on the TV screen – what is now left of humanity? May Allah protect us and our children from the filth and depravity of the Modern World sunk in perversion and immorality.
Return to TitleThe Female Voice
The female voice, according to Islam, is also included in the category of satar, i.e. it has to be concealed and not revealed. Since the female voice is satar it is not permissible for males to listen to women singing or even reciting the Holy Qur’aan. Allah, the Creator, is well aware of the lure for men which exists in the female voice, hence women in Islam are not permitted to raise their voices when speaking; neither are they permitted to recite aloud during salaah. When necessity demands that they have to speak to males then their speech should not be attractive, gentle and alluring like the deliberate ‘lure’ put in speech by the ‘trained’ women of the kuffar. Recognising the danger of allurement in the female voice, the Holy Qur’aan commands women thus:
"And do not speak in alluring tones so that he in whose heart there is disease (of lust) desires."
(Qur’aan 33:32)The indulgence in soft alluring speech by women is a cause of raising amorous hopes in the listener, as speech of women is an important source of sexual excitation. Van de Velde in his book ‘Ideal Marriage’, states,"The tone-colour of a voice, and the intonation of a single word – and it may be a word of no special meaning or association in itself – may excite incredible intensity of desire. The unique and precious significance that a woman’s voice can give to ‘you’ or ‘thou’ can suffice to overwhelm man’s power of endurance and control…"
Islam has, hence, forbidden its women to speak in a soft or ‘sexually’ sweet tone. If anyone is aware of the springs of sex-psychology he will clearly see the justification for Islam’s restriction in this matter.
Islam commands the concealment of the female voice and prohibits its display in public, but television demands the contrary. Great use is made of the female voice on TV to advertise, to allure, to excite lust, and female singing with the accompaniment of music is most popular. Mufti Muhammad Shafi sahib says:
"It is categorically Haraam – and it is Haraam without any difference of opinion – to listen on a gramophone to such a voice, the listening to which is Haraam in the real state. For example – singing of women even without music, and singing of men with music."
Television portrays voices, many of which are unlawful according to Islam, e.g., the female voice, the male voice singing with music. And this portrayal of unlawful voices and sounds is done in no small measure. The importance of television programmes, like the importance of all mass media of the kuffar hinges on the maximum exhibition of the female body and the female voice which have been subverted by the bestial culture of the unbelievers, to pamper the inordinate sexual desires of men who have no belief of Allah in them – of men who have no fear of Allah left in them.
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Music And Television
We can consider music as an integral part of television programmes. No TV show is complete without music. Islam has forbidden music in no uncertain terms. Islam categorically forbids all types of music. Music in Islam is regarded as a kabirah (great) sin. Concerning music our Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam said:
"Music sows hypocrisy in the heart like water causes seeds to grow in soil."
(Baihaqi)The following verdicts are recorded in the Law Books of Islam:"Musical instruments are Haram according to the unanimous opinion of the Fuqahaa (Jurists) of all the lands (of Islam)"
"The playing of musical instruments and listening to them are Haraam."
The Fuqahaa say that the verse of the Holy Quraan:
"And among mankind are those who purchase futile talk so as to lead astray men…" was revealed specifically to ban music and singing.
According to the Law of Islam one who participates in music is regarded as a Fasiq, and as such, the Fuqahaa state that the evidence of such a person is not to be accepted.
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Television Diverts Man’s Attention from The Remembrance of Allah
Our Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"Every play (sport or amusement ) of the world excepting three (types of play) is Baatil (baseless, null and not permissible) - (The three types being) your practising with your bow and arrow; your training your horse and your playing with your family."
(Narrated by Hakim in Mustadrak, the Hadith is Sahih in terms of the conditions of Imaam Muslim)Allah Ta’laa says in the Holy Qur’aan, "The life of this world is but play and amusement. And the Abode of the Hereafter is best for those who fear (Allah)."The above stated Hadith and verse of the Holy Quraan, as well as many other verses of the Qur’aan and Ahadith make it Quite clear that Islam does not tolerate futility, idle sport and amusement, This is because amusement and entertainment divert ones attention from the Remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. Amusement and entertainment which Islam describes Lahw, La’b make a person indolent, negligent and irresponsible. Hence, we find The Holy Prophet condemning very strongly even such play as chess and backgammon, etc. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
"Whosoever plays with backgammon (chess) has dipped his hands in the blood of swine."
(Muslim)On the basis of this Hadith as well as other Ahadith and the general spirit of Islam as regards futility and amusement, the Fuqahaa state:"It is forbidden to play chess, backgammon; the indulgence in every amusement (or play) is forbidden because this is futile and idleness. And, this (futility) is Haraam. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
‘The play of a Mu’min (believer) is baatil (baseless, null and not permissible), but on three occasions – his training his horse; his practising with his cross-bow, and his playing with his family.’
And because it (chess) is a kind of play which diverts one’s attention from zikrullah (Remembrance of Allah), and from attention of Jama’at Salaat. Therefore it is Haraam. (Also) Because the Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam said,
‘Whatever diverts your attention from zikrullah is gambling.’
Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad maintain that it is not permissible to offer salutations (to say assalamu alaikum) to people indulging in chess games. This is, so as to act as a warning to them."
(Hidayah, as well as other Fiqh books)Islam can never condone or permit an institution that plays havoc with the spiritual, mental and moral development of mankind. The consequences of television are most disastrous for the well-being of man. Television, in fact subdues and subverts the entire nation morally, culturally and spiritually. The moral fibre of a nation is destroyed by the evil effect of TV. A nation of TV lovers becomes obsessed with immorality and crime.The spiritual development of man is in the Islamic conception of man’s life on earth. Islam categorically states that Allah has created man only for the purpose of worshipping and obeying Him. All other facets and aspects of life are to be made subservient to this prime purpose of man’s life, i.e., obedience unto Allah. Man’s social life, political life, economic life are all to be subjected, governed and controlled so as to foster the spiritual progress of man. Any practice or institution harmful to the spiritual well-being of man; Any agent which interferes with the full realisation of the Purpose for which Allah has created man, can never be tolerated by the benevolent law of Allah.
It is very simple for a believer to understand what the attitude of Islam is with regard to television with its fanfare of immorality when the attitude of Islam to games such as chess and amusement, singing, music, etc., is of unshakeable prohibition.
In the Holy Qur’aan Allah says,
"And amongst men, are those who purchase idle-tales without any knowledge; so that they may mislead (men) from the Path of Allah; And, they make a mockery of the Laws of Allah; They are the ones for whom there is a disgraceful punishment; And, when our Laws are rehearsed to them, they turn away in pride as if they did not hear them; As if there are plugs in their ears; Give them the news of a dreadful punishment."
(Qur’aan 31:6-7)The commentators of the Qur’aan and the Fuqahaa say that this verse was specifically revealed to declare as unlawful; music, singing and novels (romances) which divert man’s attention from Allah. The Mufassireen define the terms ‘idle tales’ (lahwal hadith) which appear in these verses as follows:"i.e. That which diverts the attention from things which are of benefit, such as stories which have no true basis, amusements and futile talk."
Although the reason for the revelation of these verses was specific, i.e. they were revealed to forbid music, singing and novels, they have a general application in so far as the guidance of man is concerned. Hence, Allah uses a general term (lahwal hadith). If the purpose of the verse was to forbid only music or novels, then it would have been revealed with specific terms indicating what actually is prohibited – in this case music and novels. However, it is the intention of Allah to save His servants from all such practises which will have the same effect as music, singing and novels on His servants. Precisely for this reason are the terms (lahwal hadith) used. And, the term (lahw) in Arabic means all such things which divert the mind of man – and, in the case of Muslims, divert the mind of the Believer from the Remembrance of Allah. The warning of a dreadful punishment sounded in these verses of the Qur’aan applies not only to, music and novels, but to all such practises and things which constitute (lahw) – futility, nonsense, and diversion from the Remembrance of Allah. Now, if the terrible punishment is for only the single crime of music or novels, then the warning of the verse shall apply to a much greater extent to an institution which is a conglomeration of many evils. Thus, television, on the basis of Principles of Fiqh (Islamic Law) – the Shari’ah – is aptly covered by the above mentioned verses of the Holy Qur’aan, by the Ahaadith of our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam mentioned herein as well as by many other Ahaadith and verses of the Qur’aan.
For all the reasons stated in this article, television can never be passed as lawful on the basis of Shari’ah. The evils are too many, the harmful effects are disastrous, and the immorality gorged out by television is ruinous to the moral structure of mankind. Islam can, therefore have no truck with such a destructive institution as television.
Muslims have a sacred duty and obligation unto Allah, and a sacred responsibility to their children, i.e. to stay away from the evil of television so as to gain the Pleasure of Allah; to be saved from the chastisement of the Hereafter; and, to protect their children from the moral and spiritual destruction which ensues in the wake of television. Allah, in stating some of the noble qualities of the Believers, says in the Qur’aan:
"And, when they hear laghw (futility and nonsense) they turn away from it, and, they say: For us, our deeds, and for you, your deeds. Peace be upon you, we do not follow the ignorant ones."
(Qur’aan 28:55)And Allah says about the Believers,"And when they pass (by chance), upon laghw (futility and sin) they pass by it in noble dignity (i.e. they do not indulge in it)."
(Qur’aan 25:72)The aforementioned quotations will suffice to show that amusement and entertainment are prohibited in Islam. The reasons for their prohibition can briefly be summed up as follows:1. It is futility and idleness which our Nabi sallallahu alaihe wasallam forbade.
2. It diverts ones attention from the Remembrance of Allah and, Remembrance of Allah is in fact the purpose for which Allah has created man.
3. It interferes with one’s Ibadat causing neglect of salaat and jamaat attendance.
4. It causes one to become neglectful of one’s social duties.
The Islamic ban on entertainment and amusement applies to all forms and practises which contain the above-mentioned elements. In fact, the following statement of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam covers all types of diversionary play and amusement:
"The play of a Believer is Baatil."
"Every play of the world is Baatil, excepting three types of play..." (hadith already quoted above).
Besides the four above-mentioned factors (futility, diversion of attention from zikrullah, interference with Ibadat and negligence in one’s social duties) several other outright evil elements (as already explained) exist in television. Research has established the ‘diversionary’ influence of television. The addictive grip that TV exercises on its viewers is such that it very effectively diverts the attention from the Remembrance of Allah and from things of importance. When Islam has forbidden games such as chess because of the existence of two or three harmful factors, it is inconceivable that television with a host of evil and harmful elements could be permissible.
Return to TitleConclusion
In conclusion it has now been seen that in the TV there exists the following un-Islamic factors:
1. Pictures
2. Music
3. Immorality – nudity, etc.
4. Agent of Zina
5. Negation of Hayaa (shame) (e.g., promotion of singing and the female voice)
6. Wasting time
7. Interferes with one’s religious duties
8. Diverts one’s attention from the Remembrance of Allah
9. Falls under the category described by Islam as lahw.
In view of this formidable array of evil factors and harmful effects no one can doubt the impermissibility of TV.
May Allah, in His Infinite Mercy, protect us all from the evils of television, Aameen.
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