Assalaamo Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu,
From As-Sunnah Bi-Monthly Newsletter
Compiled by Shawana A. Aziz
Television has become the most common way of entertainment and amusement today. It has replaced many physical activities, like sports and reading, which were previously utilized by people to spend their leisure time. However, television is not the correct substitute for those activities, which besides entertaining also enhance skills and talents. Researches performed on the impact of television undoubtedly prove its ill effects upon the viewers! Moreover, most part of the entertainment programs displayed on television transgress Islamic bounds…
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: *“Everything with which a man amuses himself is Baatil (baseless, null and impermissible) - except three, his practicing with bow (and arrow); his training the horse and his playing with his family.” *[Saheeh al-Bukharee] This Hadeeth encourages the Muslims to choose amusements that benefit him, either by improving skills or strengthening family ties. Television, on the other hand, severs family bonds. Television programs dealing with family and personal matters suggest a lifestyle far from reality; single-parent families, children out of wedlock, continuous disputes and problems are publicized as normal way of life and divorce is portrayed as the easiest way out!
Islam does not allow any amusement, which make people negligent of Allah. Television does not only make one negligent of Allah’s remembrance, but it also makes people negligent of their obligatory duties, especially the Salaah (prayer).
Television transmits fictitious stories, which greatly attract the viewers, as it takes one away from the reality into the world of desires and fantasy. Islam is in strong opposition to such illusions, because illusions make man negligent of death and Hereafter. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Make mention of the destroyer of desires (i.e. death) very often.” (Hasan) at-Tirmidhee no: 2049, and Ibn Majah no: 4258]
Television also destroys the Muslim’s Aqeedah, Character, Health, Wealth, and it has also become a cause of wasting time, as we shall see in the following:
Destruction of Aqeedah:
Television displays images and stories of Shirk, un-Islamic cultures and rituals that inevitably influence the viewer’s belief. Many Muslims have been lead to believe in the false ideas and beliefs presented on the television - the proof for this is the increasing number of un-Islamic beliefs that are rampant in the Muslim society, like spirit possession, belief in good luck charms and amulets, belief in auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of particular days and numbers, belief in fortune telling and astrology, etc.
Sometimes, television propagates false ideas and beliefs in such subtle way that the viewer learns them unknowingly, especially in children programs, where ‘super heroes’, like superman, etc. are often portrayed as the saviors of the Universe and its inhabitants, who reach anywhere and everywhere to help people and protect them from any kind of dangers!! Such ideas corrupt the basic beliefs of Islam that Allah Alone is the Ruler and Savior of mankind and He alone can protect the people from all harm.
So, television can gradually destroy our Aqeedah and subsequently ruin our Hereafter, because Aqeedah is the foundation of Islam. It is necessary that the Aqeedah be free from all un-Islamic influences, in order to escape the Hell-Fire. This requires that we avoid all chances and means that cause danger to our Aqeedah - one of which is watching television!
One should not only be concerned about his beliefs and actions, but he should also take precautions to safeguard the Aqeedah of his family members, since on the Day of Judgment, everybody will be accounted for his actions and the actions of those under his guardianship. Allah says in the Qur’aan:** “Oh you who believe, save yourselves and your families from the fire which is fueled by men and stones. Over it are Angels who are stern, and strong, who do not disobey Allah’s orders and they do what He orders”** [Soorah at-Tahrim (66): 6] The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:* “Every one of you is a protector and a guardian of his immediate charge and is responsible for the actions of those people who are committed to his charge. A man is a guardian in respect to the family members of his house. A woman is a guardian in respect to her husband’s house and his children.”* [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
Destruction of Islamic Morals:
Immoral behavior, violence, crime, music, singing, use of tobacco, alcohol and cigarette are some of the many un-Islamic behaviors taught by the Television. Especially children, television teaches them to lie, cheat and steal from early ages!
Music is an integral part of television - Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: *“Verily, I forbid two voices, which are imbecilic and sinfully shameless; one, a voice (of singing) accompanied by musical instruments and Shaytaan’s wind instrument…” *[al-Hakim] Scholars mention many wisdoms behind the prohibition of music, like music sprouts hypocrisy, prevents the heart from Allah’s remembrance, excites sinful desires, etc. but the fact that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) called it the voice of Shaytaan should be enough for the believer to understand the great harm and danger associated with music!
Advertisements on television fully exploit female voice and use semi-nude female pictures to promote and sell their products. Whereas, Islam has even prohibited the women to speak in soft voice with the strangers, Allah says: “…be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery, etc.) should be moved with desire, but speak in a honorable manner.” [Soorah al-Ahzab (33): 32]
Immodesty, nudity and free mixing of men and women are the most apparent evil spread by the television. Islam teaches that modesty is a part of Eemaan and prohibits the mixing of sexes. But television puts great emphasis on immorality and fornication (zina) regarding which Allah says in the Qur’aan, “…come not near to zina. Verily, it is Fahishah (immoral sin) and an evil way.” [Soorah al-Isra (17): 32]
Islam does not only consider the actual act of fornication to be zina, but Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: *“The zina of the eyes is the gaze (at which is unlawful, e.g. Nudity); the zina of the ears is to listen (to the unlawful, e.g. talks of nudity which excite illicit desires, music, etc.); the zina of the tongue is to speak (what is evil); the zina of the hand is to touch (the female who is unlawful to you); the zina of the feet is to walk (towards unlawful); the zina of the heart is to desire (what is unlawful) and it is the private parts which either commit or shuns the actual act of fornication.” *[Saheeh Muslim]
So, watching nudity and evils displayed on television is zina of the eyes, listening to them is zina of the ears, and the illicit desires aroused by them means zina of the heart. Allah says: “Verily! Hearing, Sight, and the heart, all will be questioned (by Allah).” [Soorah al-Isra (17): 36]
Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) writes, ‘the person will be asked about them (all parts of the body) on the Day of Resurrection, and they (all parts of his body) will be asked about him and what did he do with them?’
Repeatedly watching the evil displayed on television so adversely influence the viewer’s mind that he considers them to be the acceptable mode of behavior, he gradually looses his Haya (modesty, shame and shyness) and imitates the evil. Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “…If you do not have Haya, then do whatever you want.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
Imaam an-Nawawi (rahimahullah) said in the commentary of this Hadeeth, “When he looses his Haya, he will freely indulge in what Allah has prohibited. This is similar to the Hadeeth, “…Let him take his seat in Hell-Fire.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] meaning he will take his seat in the Fire… what prevents a person from indulging in sin is al-Haya that he has. When he abandons al-Haya, he will be like the one whose character and habits order him to indulge in every type of evil.” Researches testify to the fact that many people actually enact the crime and violence displayed on television!