Ruling
on watching TV Is watching TV permitted in Islam ? If so under what
conditions? 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.
Ahmad ahmad@islamway.com
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