Are we as Muslims allowed to watch television?

Amreen Shaikh
Bolton 
 
Dear sister Amreen Shaikh
I hope that you are well. Aameen.

Thank you so much for confiding in the Islamic Times and writing to us in the post. Your letter was received by the editor, Sajjad Miah and was forwarded to me for a response. Insha Allah, your question with my answer will appear on the Islamic Times website www.islamictimes.co.uk but I’m not quite sure whether or not it will appear in the newspaper as this is decided by the editor and the editorial team.

With the grace of Allah Taa’la and your noble du’aas, I am able to give you at your request a written answer for future reference to your question:

ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                   1) I believe that television cannot be classified as either Halaal or Haraam. In relation to this, let’s begin by looking at the definition of MUBAH. Mubah refers to those actions which merit neither reward nor punishment, i.e. using television as a means of propagating Islam would be accepted but watching porn on it would be strongly prohibited! I would say that watching television is exactly like getting involved in reading books. Whatever affects, ethics and religion negatively is Islamically unacceptable, and what is supportive to them is Islamically recommended. I will not argue the fact that it is true that most of the programmes as also the advertisements shown on television come under the category of being prohibited, but, there are healthy and informative programmes too and watching them is not prohibited. Ulama (scholars of Islam) have all along been warning against the evils of television.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (Alayhi Rahmah) writes in Qawaa’id Fiqhiyyaah that there is a principle which states, "Al Waasaa’il ta’khudhu Hukm al-Ghaayaat," meaning, "The means takes the same ruling as the intention of what is trying to be attained." A television set, with its wires, screen, box, and plug is nothing more than a means. It is what is trying to be attained by that box that makes it Haraam or Halaal.

The Holy prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said, 'The eyes commit adultery; the tongue commits adultery; the hands commit adultery; the feet commit adultery and then the private parts confirm it or deny it.' (Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (Alayhi Rahmah)). From this Hadith it is crystal clear that pornographic pictures and movies are Haraam.

One of the most powerful tools to propagate Islam especially to the non-Muslims in this day and age is through the means of the media. I encourage that people should watch and support channels such as QTV, Unity Channel (Muslim Lifestyle) and Islam Channel in order to gain knowledge and then to spread the truth about Islam as oppose to being influenced by the sheer propaganda and lies about Islam in the mainstream media.

I hope I have been able to answer your question, but, if you feel that you are still unsure about something, please do not hesitate to contact me, Insha Allah.

Verily, Allah Taa’la is All-Knowing.

I hope this is useful to you.

Wassalaam Ma’al Ikraam
 
 SHAYKH Hafeezud Din