The Harm of Children Watching Cartoons and the Beneficial Alternative to Them
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His Eminence the Shaykh: It is not hidden from you, may Allah preserve you, the impact of cartoons and what are called animated films on the morals of the young, especially in matters of creed. However, if there is—especially at this time—what is called the Atari device and cartridges, would these cartridges be a substitute and alternative to cartoons?
We are often told that the cartoons broadcast on television are harmful, and they may indeed be harmful to the creed. But have you seen or heard of anything specific that would allow us to know whether it contradicts the creed or not? Well, it is not permissible to allow our children, both boys and girls, to watch these cartoons as long as they alter the creed; how can we let them watch them? As for purchasing an alternative, that is necessary. And this alternative is, as you mentioned, what is currently being promoted, namely the Sega device and the Atari. I do not know the latter, but this is certainly an alternative. Even if a video player were used to transfer these images so that the children, both boys and girls, could benefit from them, that would be better.
We are often told that the cartoons broadcast on television are harmful, and they may indeed be harmful to the creed. But have you seen or heard of anything specific that would allow us to know whether it contradicts the creed or not? Well, it is not permissible to allow our children, both boys and girls, to watch these cartoons as long as they alter the creed; how can we let them watch them? As for purchasing an alternative, that is necessary. And this alternative is, as you mentioned, what is currently being promoted, namely the Sega device and the Atari. I do not know the latter, but this is certainly an alternative. Even if a video player were used to transfer these images so that the children, both boys and girls, could benefit from them, that would be better.