Ruling on Watching Films and Television and Playing Cards During the Daytime of Ramadan
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Question: Some of the fasting people spend most of the daytime of Ramadan watching films and series from video and television, and playing cards. What is the opinion of the religion regarding this?
Answer: It is obligatory for the fasting people and other Muslims to fear Allah the Exalted in what they do and leave in all times, and to beware of what Allah has forbidden them, such as watching obscene films in which what Allah has forbidden is displayed, including naked images and near-naked images, and reprehensible statements, and likewise what is displayed on television that contradicts the Shari'ah of Allah, including images, songs, instruments of amusement, and misleading calls.
It is also obligatory for every Muslim, whether fasting or not, to beware of playing with instruments of amusement, such as cards and other instruments of amusement; because of what is in that of watching what is wrong and doing what is wrong, and also because of what is in that of causing the hardness of hearts and their sickness, and their taking lightly the Shari'ah of Allah, and their reluctance toward what Allah has made obligatory, such as prayer in congregation or other leaving of obligations and falling into many of the forbidden things. And Allah the Exalted says: [Luqman: 6-7], and He the Exalted says in Surat al-Furqan regarding the description of the slaves of Allah: [al-Furqan: 72].
And al-zur includes all types of what is wrong, and the meaning of "they do not witness" is: they do not attend. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 5590 narrated by al-Bukhari in his Sahih, as a hanging hadith that is affirmed. And the intended meaning of al-hir –with a kasrah on the haa, a sukun on the alif, and a sukun on the raa– is the forbidden private part.
And the intended meaning of al-ma'azif is: singing and instruments of amusement; and because Allah the Exalted has forbidden upon the Muslims the means of falling into the forbidden things.
And there is no doubt that watching reprehensible films, and what is broadcast on television of the wrong things, are means of falling into them, or being lenient in not refuting them. And Allah is the One to be sought for help.
Answer: It is obligatory for the fasting people and other Muslims to fear Allah the Exalted in what they do and leave in all times, and to beware of what Allah has forbidden them, such as watching obscene films in which what Allah has forbidden is displayed, including naked images and near-naked images, and reprehensible statements, and likewise what is displayed on television that contradicts the Shari'ah of Allah, including images, songs, instruments of amusement, and misleading calls.
It is also obligatory for every Muslim, whether fasting or not, to beware of playing with instruments of amusement, such as cards and other instruments of amusement; because of what is in that of watching what is wrong and doing what is wrong, and also because of what is in that of causing the hardness of hearts and their sickness, and their taking lightly the Shari'ah of Allah, and their reluctance toward what Allah has made obligatory, such as prayer in congregation or other leaving of obligations and falling into many of the forbidden things. And Allah the Exalted says:
(6) And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment. (7) And when our verses are recited to him, he turns away arrogantly as if he had not heard them, as if there was in his ears deafness. So give him tidings of a painful punishment.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ.وَإِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا وَلَّى مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًا فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍAnd [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًاAnd al-zur includes all types of what is wrong, and the meaning of "they do not witness" is: they do not attend. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful.
ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازفAnd the intended meaning of al-ma'azif is: singing and instruments of amusement; and because Allah the Exalted has forbidden upon the Muslims the means of falling into the forbidden things.
And there is no doubt that watching reprehensible films, and what is broadcast on television of the wrong things, are means of falling into them, or being lenient in not refuting them. And Allah is the One to be sought for help.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.