Am I Being Too Dogmatic about Watching Television?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I have specific sub-questions I would like guidance on, please:
Given most films/documentaries have women not wearing hijab, is it technically a sin for a man to be watching such films even if the content or story is “good” or “educational” and he is not looking at the women with desire?
I like to watch nature videos (non-vocal), which are often solely accompanied by musical instruments. Should I mute the T.V.?
There are T.V. serials that are “Islamic” themed, but they are accompanied by music. Is it permissible to watch such a T.V. series? One popular one is based on Ertugrul Ghazi?
What about animated films that contain animated objects and music given drawings are haram? What about children’s programs/films (non-animated)?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
You are not being dogmatic but principled in righteousness; this is the way forward in all our matters.
It is haram for an adult man to look at any part of the body of a strange, adult woman with desire. It will be something that you will have to judge for yourself.
Yes, you may mute the sound, as what matters is not the music but the educational content.
These historical semi-fiction dramas have music, women characters, and many hourly-long episodes and series. One should think about the following:
If by watching drama series and anything on T.V., spending time on social media for that matter, if one’s life purpose is distracted, worshiping Allah Most High, performing the daily prayers, obeying one’s parents, fulfilling the rights of others, etc., guarding of the gaze, spending endless hours, is compromised then it would be obligatory to avoid, and one should focus what matters.
Watching them would also be permissible as long as the images and content, in general, are clean. This means no immoral pictures or themes. One should be especially careful with content that promotes indecent behavior by making it fun.
Children should be encouraged to read and read to, also. If there are any educational programs, then they can watch them. It is always good to be supervised and engaged with the children. Balance is essential so the potential detriment is nullified. Spend time with the children, and do activities when they are home which they look forward to more than watching T.V. Do not let the T.V. be the one that raises your child.
Check these links:
To the Rulings of Looking Apply to Pictures and Television? (seekersguidance.org)
Unveiled Woman on T.V. – SeekersGuidance
Is It Permissible To Watch Movies and Cartoons if I Fast-Forward the Kissing Parts? – SeekersGuidance
What Is the Ruling of Watching T.V. Where a WomaWoman’sedness (Awra) Is Revealed? (seekersguidance.org)
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?
SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)
I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Turkey.
He started his early education in U.K. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’Qur’anIndia, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in U.K. where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then travelled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’Qur’anjwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in U.K. and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the U.K. where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in U.K. with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
