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:

Is there anything wrong with watching films and listening to music eg Bollywood/Hollywood? I am a big fan of Indian films, British and American soaps but is this wrong? I stay in the UK and watching films etc is unavoidable as they are always on TV. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Watching T.V. films

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.

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!

Your Statement: I stay in the UK and watching films etc is unavoidable as they are always on TV. 

My dear and beloved Sister in Islam, regardless of where one chooses to reside in this Universe, as long as one has professed belief in Allah and the Last Day, one is duty bound to submit their will to His Will, if indeed it is His Pleasure, Good-Will, Mercy and Forgiveness is what they seek.

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