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:

Does Islam leave any room for music, movies, entertainment, dancing, etc of any kind be that of any country? Or is a devoted true muslim meant to devote his spare time and time in general to Islam. Is it automatically viewed as worshipping entertainment and where you focus of worship should be to God? Does the same apply to drawing? I am a keen drawer of people but I dont worship, so is there not indeed a fine line between islam and having other interests. As long as you grow fanatic? I want to know Islams exact saying on this and where it is stated too. Thank you. 

(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:

Is Islam against Sports, Entertainment, Dancing…

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.

Entertainment is a natural demand of man, and Islam is a Way of Life that accommodates everything which is natural and wholesome. Islam does not stop the believers from wholesome entertainment; neither does it stop one from being happy and joyful on a joyous occasion, nor does it stop one grieving in a sad occasion. But Islam is a Deen which believes in moderation, not excesses! In happiness and in sadness, one must remain in the boundaries laid down by Shariah, if indeed he fears Allah and the Last Day.

For example, when a loved one dies, Islam permits the believers to grieve for the loved one, and it is only natural that the heart will pain, and the eyes will shed tears. But if one kills or hurts himself or others in his grief, or wails, or tears his clothes, or beats himself, etc. then he will move towards the extreme and transgress the boundaries.

Similarly, on joyous occasion one may celebrate to his heart’s content; but he must not transgress the boundaries of Shariah! One should not make entertainment an excuse to spread indecency and ‘fahisha’.

If entertainment means sensual string music, or vulgar movies, or mixing of the sexes, and dancing, etc.; then that would indeed be a lame excuse for practicing indecency and fahisha in the name of ‘entertainment’!

If entertainment means spending quality time with the family and friends, or picnics, or enjoying a good bar-be-que on the beach or mountains, or playing wholesome sport, etc.; there is absolutely no harm…rather this sort of entertainment is a natural demand of man, and is encouraged in Islam.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) himself used to enjoy wholesome entertainment with his family and friends; and there are many authentic narrations where he enjoyed sitting in date gardens with his companions and enjoying the bounties of Allah Subhanah; or sitting with his uncovered lower legs hanging over a well.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.23 Narrated by Abu Musa Al Ashari

I performed ablution in my house and then went out and said, "Today I shall stick to Allah's Apostle and stay with him all this day of mine (in his service)." I went to the mosque and asked about the Prophet. They said, "He had gone in this direction." So I followed his way, asking about him till he entered a place called Bir Aris. I sat at its gate that was made of date-palm leaves till the Prophet finished answering the call of nature and performed ablution. Then I went up to him to see him sitting at the well of Aris at the middle of its edge with his legs uncovered, hanging in the well.

Good, wholesome entertainment with friends and family is encouraged in Islam, but one cannot drink alcohol, or gamble, or watch indecent movies, or listen to indecent music, etc. in the name of entertainment! That sort of ‘entertainment’ would indeed be an excuse for practicing and spreading indecency and ‘fahisha’ in the name of entertainment!

Your Questions: Does the same apply to drawing? I am a keen drawer of people but I dont worship, so is there not indeed a fine line between islam and having other interests.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.845 Narrated by Abu Juhaifa

that he had bought a slave whose profession was cupping. The Prophet forbade taking the price of blood, and the price of a dog, and the earnings of a prostitute, and cursed the one who took or gave (Riba') usury, and the lady who tattooed others or got herself tattooed, and the picture-maker.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.834 Narrated by Muslim

We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet (saws) saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers.' "

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.448 Narrated by Abu Talha

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.428 Narrated by Said bin Abu Al Hasan

While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures." Ibn 'Abbas said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Apostle. I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' " Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn 'Abbas said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures, I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects."

There is absolutely no harm in drawing in-animate objects; but the Messenger of Allah (saws) guided the believers from drawing pictures of humans and animals, for they will be amongst those who receive the severest punishments from Allah Subhanah on the Day of Judgement.

And Allah Alone Best.

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