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:

I have a problem that has been bothering me for a while and I pray that Allah will guide me to a solution. I am 18 years old and have been seriously performing my salah for about a year now. I have changed alot during this time, to the point where I do not even go out after school anymore or spend time with friends because I do not want to miss my prayers.

However, I recently volunteered (without giving much thought to it) to be involved in a short skit for school in which we are portraying our teachers in a "murder mystery". It is a funny skit and the teachers are all in favor of it. I will be acting as my English teacher. I was very excited as I love acting and being on stage...but the more I thought about it, the more worried I became. First of all, doing this skit involves missing some of my prayers, which I never do unless I have no choice. I of course would make them up, but I know that it is not recommended to do so.

Another problem I have is if this haram to participate in, since it is portraying murder, even if we are purely kidding around. I am very confused as to what I should do....as a Muslim should we avoid all sports or after school activities if we have to miss our prayers? What about all the muslim teens who play soccer, football, do drama club, etc.?

What if you enjoy doing those things every now and then, but you never forget Allah? Am I putting my desires before my duties to my Lord? What should I do, as if I wait much longer, I will not be able to get out of this skit at all?

(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:

School drama

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 20 Surah Taha verse 14:

14      "Verily I am Allah: there is no god but I: so worship thou Me (only) and establish regular prayer for My Remembrance.”

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 103:

Indeed,  the salaat is a prescribed duty that should be performed at the appointed times by the believers.

A man came to the Prophet (saws) and said “ O Prophet of Allah (saws),  what is the act or deed most loved by Allah?”

The Prophet (saws) replied:  “To pray ones prayers on time.”

The man asked further:  “What (deed or act most loved by Allah) next?”

The Prophet (saws) replied:  “Obedience to ones parents.”

The man asked further:  “What (deed or act most loved by Allah) next?”

The Prophet (saws) replied: “Jihaad in the Way of Allah.”

Related by Bukhari

If this drama requires you to delay your prayers then it is not advisable to partake in such activities. It is not that Islam prohibits one from good sports or other good extra curriculum activities, but one should guard their salah times strictly.

Ref: Murder mystery skit drama

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 70 Surah Mairaj verses 42-44: Therefore, leave them engrossed in their vain talk and sport, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they are being promised; when they shall be rushing out of their graves as though they are racing towards the shrines of their deities. Their eyes shall be downcast and abasement shall be covering them.  That is the Day they are being promised.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 29 Surah Ankaboot verse 64: And the life of this world is nothing but a sport and a pastime.  The home of real life is indeed the Hereafter.  Would that these people knew (what awaits them)!

Those who have taken this worldly life as their real home, and exert their utmost to gain more and more wealth and more power, do not realize that the real abode for the believers is the Hereafter…  Thus leave them engrossed in their sport and plays…. Until they come face to face with the reality as promised by Allah in the Quran.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6  Surah Anam verse 32:

This worldly life is but a sport and an amusement.  In fact, the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who desire to be safe from harm.   Will you not, then, use your common sense? 

Sister if the play does not have a good moral or story to help people better themselves, then one who fears the last day should not participate in a drama which involves murdering one's teacher for fun or comedy.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4972  Narrated by Mu'awiyah ibn Jaydah al-Qushayri

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘Woe  to him who tells things, speaking falsely, to make people laugh thereby. Woe to him! Woe to him!’

For a believer, who indeed fears Allah and the Last Day, his mission and goal should be to work towards the Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah Subhanah.

In our humble opinion it would be purest and safest if you could find yourself an alternate skit/drama assignment in which you can use your skills for spreading good ideas and knowledge and stay within the boundaries laid down by Allah and His Messenger (saws) Rather than getting involved in assisting or facilitating something which does not benefit anybody and come near the suspicious or dubious matters related to your deen.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith  3.267        Narrated by An Numan bin Bashir

The Prophet (saws) said "Both the ‘halaal’ (legal) and the ‘haraam’ (illegal) things are obvious, and in between them are (suspicious) doubtful matters. So whoever forsakes those doubtful things lest he may commit a sin, will definitely avoid what is clearly illegal; and whoever indulges in these (suspicious) doubtful things bravely, is likely to commit what is clearly illegal. Sins are Allah's Hima (i.e. private pasture) and whoever pastures (his sheep) near it, is likely to get in it at any moment."

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

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