Can I Rely on An Answer from SeekersGuidance?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Shaykh Abdurraghman Khan, in this article (https://seekersguidance.org/answers/halal-and-haram/is-it-permissible-to-watch-stranger-womans-awra-in-movies-etc/), said that some scholars held the opinion that it is permissible to see the opposite sex in TV programs without desires. Can you give me some examples of the scholars who held this opinion? Is it Mu’tabar? Can I use this opinion to keep me from going away from the Din?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
SeekersGuidance Answers service adheres to strict guidelines and traditional frameworks, and our published answers have been approved by at least two qualified scholars.
The opinion discussed in the linked answer is held by many Shafi‘i scholars, as discussed in the references mentioned in the answer (Khatib Shirbini, Mughni al-Muhtaj & Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Tuhfat al-Muhtaj). The answer was provided by a qualified Shafi‘i Scholar (Shaykh Abdurahmaan Khan) and approved by a senior qualified scholar (Shaykh Faraz Rabbani). This is generally the standard throughout the answers on SeekersGuidance.org, and Allah knows best.
Scholars emphasize the importance of self-accountability in consuming media. They advise individuals to consider the impact of their media consumption habits on their spiritual health and relationship with Allah (Most High).
Using Opinions to Prevent Going Away from the Din
At times, one is left with a choice of the lesser of two harms to prevent a more significant harm. If following a particular scholarly opinion helps you maintain your connection with your faith and prevents you from engaging in more significant harm, this might be a valid consideration.
However, this approach should be taken cautiously and ideally in consultation with a knowledgeable and trustworthy religious guide or scholar. The goal should always be to strive for what strengthens your Din (religion) and brings you closer to Allah (Most High) while adhering to Islamic principles and ethics.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and, for six years, the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
