Do I Need Tawba for Encountering Profanity in Readings or Videos?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

If I encounter profanity while reading, watching videos, or sharing content without approving of the bad language, am I sinful? Do I need to make tawba every time, or is it enough to deny it in my heart?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

As a matter of law, anything that is impermissible to say is impermissible to listen to when avoidable. [Birgivi, al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya]

Knowingly reading a book or watching content that one is reasonably sure to have sinful language is sinful and requires repentance. If, however, one is reading a book or watching content and is suddenly surprised at the presence of foul language, they did not expect it is sufficient to reject it in the heart and seek forgiveness of Allah Most High.

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.