Do I Need to Sell or Throw Away My Impermissible Video Games?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I’m trying to reduce my sins, and I have discovered that all of my video games are haram which I’m despondent about. I also learned that selling these games will not be allowed as they have impermissible things in them, like animate beings and shirk. I was wondering if it would be okay if I did an eBay listing of my 3ds at a high price and then had the games listed as free in the bundle.
I guess this way, technically, I’m not selling the games, but I am selling the 3ds. Or would I have to throw all the games away instead? Could I keep them in a drawer I don’t touch instead of throwing them away as they have sentimental value?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Video games generally fall under amusement (lahw) in Shari’a, thus detested and should be avoided. You should ideally bin them as you mostly have impermissible video games. And if you were to sell them, the money you generate would have to be given in charity without any reward.
You say you have some attachment to them and they hold some sentimental value, then in that case, think if you were to sacrifice something which is not pleasing to Allah Most High, He will recompense you with better, no doubt. So keep the faith!
Allah Most High will Replace with Something Better
Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah Most High but that Allah Most High will replace it with something better for you.” [Ahmad]
The Ruling of Impermissible Items
Those items which are impermissible, for example, video games that consist of obscene content, violence, and vulgar is also impermissible to buy or sell. Those items which are disliked will also be disliked to buy and sell. And those items used in permissible and impermissible activities, then its buying and selling is permissible. [Mufti Shafi, Ma’rif al-Quran; Al-Ashbah wa al-Nadha’ir]
Perfection of Faith -Abstain from Useless Amusement
The perfection of a person’s faith and obedience that he abstains from useless amusement which is of no benefit. Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) said the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Part of the perfection of one’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him.” [Tirmidhi]
Check this link
video games Archives – SeekersGuidance
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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 UK. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’an in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK 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’an, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
