What is the ruling on listening to radio broadcasts that transmit the Torah?
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The student: In some radio stations, there is recitation from the Torah. Is it permissible for the common people and students of knowledge to listen to it?
The Shaykh : Prove this to me, may Allah reward you. I am demanding the accuracy of the transmission.
The student: I heard it from the radio with my own ears.
The Shaykh : In Saudi Arabia?
The student: No, it is in Lebanon, O Shaykh...
The Shaykh : And who can prevent the airwaves? No, it is absolutely not permissible. It is narrated that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab showed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) a page from the Torah, so he became angry and said: Absolutely not, and it is not permissible. But the problem is, who can prevent the airwaves? I am hesitating whether we should warn the common people against listening to these radio stations. Because, unfortunately, this radio station’s voice comes in loud and very clear. Should we warn people? There is a difficulty in that, because if you warn people, you open the door for them to listen; they will ask, "What is the one that was warned against?" And if you leave them alone, most people do not listen to it, and praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh : Prove this to me, may Allah reward you. I am demanding the accuracy of the transmission.
The student: I heard it from the radio with my own ears.
The Shaykh : In Saudi Arabia?
The student: No, it is in Lebanon, O Shaykh...
The Shaykh : And who can prevent the airwaves? No, it is absolutely not permissible. It is narrated that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab showed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) a page from the Torah, so he became angry and said:
