Knowledge Every Muslim Should Know (Book One)

Wasting Time with TV and Games

WASTING TIME WITH TV AND GAMES

 

Muslims, whether they are fasting or not, should fear Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) with regard to what they are doing and not doing at all times. They must avoid that which Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has forbidden, namely watching obscene movies which show things that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has forbidden such as naked and semi-naked pictures, or reprehensible programs, or things which appear on TV that go against the laws of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), such as images, singing, musical instruments and misleading ideas. Every Muslim, whether he is fasting or not, must avoid playing with cards and other kinds of games, because that involves witnessing evil and doing wrong, and because it also causes hardness and disease in the heart, makes a person take the laws of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) lightly and makes him find it too difficult to do the things that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has enjoined, such as praying in congregation and other obligations, and makes him fall into doing many haraam things.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says (interpretation of the meaning): “And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) without knowledge, and takes it (the path of Allah [Glorified and Exalted is He], or the Verses of the Qur’aan) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire). And when Our Verses (of the Qur’aan) are recited to such a one, he turns away in pride, as if he heard them not—as if there were deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment.”[Luqmaan 31:6-7] 

And He says in Soorat al-Furqaan, describing the slaves of the Most Merciful (interpretation of the meaning): “And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.”[al-Furqaan 25:72] 

Falsehood (al-zoor) includes all kinds of evil, and the phrase “do not bear witness” means that they do not attend where these things are happening. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There will be among my ummah people who will permit adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh in a mu’allaq majzoom report). What is meant by adultery is illegal sexual relations, and musical instruments include singing. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has forbidden to the Muslims all means that lead to haraam things, and undoubtedly watching bad movies and the evils that are shown on TV are among the means that lead to haraam things or lead one to take such matters lightly without denouncing them. And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) is the One Whose help we seek.

Source: Islam QA

www.islamqa.info