Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

assalamoalikum
dear brother u say in your one answer that there is no harm if we saw television in ramadan aur in other monthhs but what about sin of seeing na mehram and in television for a women a men is namehram and for men the women is na mehram and with out a men or a women there is no programs and how it is not harm if there is nothing islamic in the programs u written this but u dont know people take it so easily and watching television that there is no harm it is sin to watching television for a muslim because there is songs in every step and muslims r not allowed to listen these types of music and in europe and america ufffff u know every thing and u write that there is no harm for watching television i pakistan or in india we cant say that we c those channels cause they r full of lie and full of (behayayi)24 hours songs how u say i wont believe there is no writeen in quran that we can do such thing like watching television for children they r giving programs but what they tought nothing islami bas few programs that children dont like to c please make it clear thank u 

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Answer:

Watching T.V.

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Beloved sister in Islam, the television was obviously not invented at the time of the Revelation of the Quran, and thus obviously the Quran and the Sunnah are silent on the particular subject. Thus the scholars in Islam have the responsibility of forming an opinion on such issues in light of the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 24 Surah Noor verses 30-31:

30 Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

31 And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 33: Say: The things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah for which he hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.

There are basically three views amongst people regarding television:

Some people take one extreme and declare it absolutely forbidden and impermissible to watch any television.

Some people take the other extreme and watch everything that comes on television.

And some people take the medium route, and watch only the good and educational programs on television, and abstain from the shameful and indecent programs which you have so rightly pointed out.

Beloved sister in Islam, in our humble opinion, the television if put to good use is a great invention and must be used effectively by the Ummah to propagate the Truth of Al-Islam, or used to watch good scientific or educational programs, or news programs, etc. There are many Islamic Channels on television like the Iqra Channel, or Saudi Channel 2, etc. which are extremely good and wholesome, and at times they invite some of the best scholars of our times on their programs to give their views and sermons. There is absolutely no harm in watching these channels on television which have absolutely no ‘fahisha’, or indecency, or songs, or dances, etc.

But if indeed, one watches the regular channels which are nothing but a door-way to ‘fahisha’, and indecency, and songs, and dances, and other evils; then indeed it would be considered a sin.

Thus it is not as if the product itself is illegal or evil, it is what one does or how one utilizes the product which will dictate its condition! One can use the same logic with many of the new inventions of man, like computers, or cars, or planes, etc. and declare them all forbidden because they can be (mis)used by people!

There are literally thousands of good web-sites on the internet where one can gain wholesome knowledge; and there are literally thousands of evil and illegal web-sites which advocate indecency! Similarly one may use a car to drive to a mosque, or one may use the car to drive to the bars and discos! Or one may use the plane to fly to Las Vegas, or one may use the same plane to fly to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage!

It is not that the product itself is evil or illegal; it is how we use and utilize it, which will determine whether it is lawful or unlawful.

Allah Subhanah has bestowed upon man two things which He has not bestowed on any amongst His creation (except Jinns):

Intelligence and the Power of Reasoning

A Free Will to choose the path one wishes to lead his life.

If man uses his intelligence and power of reasoning to recognize His Creator, and of his own free will chooses to obey and follow the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws); he will deserve a huge reward from Allah Subhanah.

And if man with his given intelligence and power of reasoning denies His Creator, and of his own free will denies to submit to the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws); he will deserve the Wrath and Anger of Allah!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan