Question: Some fasting people spent most of the day of Ramadan watching movies, drama series on video and on the television, and playing cards? What is the opinion of the religion on that?
Answer: “It is obligatory upon the fasting person and other than them from the Muslims to fear Allah, the Exalted in regards to what they come to and what they leave behind at all times. And that they are cautious of what Allah prohibited upon them from watching obscene films which have apparent in them what Allah prohibited from naked pictures, semi-naked pictures, and bad words. Likewise what is apparent in the television from that which opposes the Legislation of Allah from pictures, music, musical instruments, and calls to misguidance. Just as it is obligatory upon every Muslim who is fasting and other than him to cautious of playing with instruments of amusement from cards and other than it due to what is in that from witnessing evil and doing evil. Also due to what is in that from causing hardheartedness, sickness of the heart, and belittlement the legislation of Allah. And also creating laziness regarding what Allah obligated from the prayer in congregation or other than that as well as leaving off the obligatory matters and falling into many prohibitions. Allah, the Exalted said:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُواً أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ * وَإِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا وَلَّى مُسْتَكْبِراً كَأَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْراً فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e.music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah, the Verses of the Quran) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire). And when Our Verses (of the Quran) are recited to such a one, he turns away in pride, as if he heard them not, as if there were deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment [31:6-7]
Allah, the Exalted said in Suratul Furqan regarding the characteristics of the believers:
وَالَّذِينَ لا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَاماً
And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity [25:72]
And (الزُّورَ) includes all types of detested evil. The meaning of witnessing is that they are not present. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
لَيَكُونَنَّ مِنْ أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ يَسْتَحِلُّونَ الْحِرَ وَالْحَرِيرَ وَالْخَمْرَ وَالْمَعَازِفَ
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.
It is reported in Bukhari in his Saheeh [no. 5590] in Mu’allaq form [suspended form] and he was certain regarding it [i.e. it’s authenticity]. The intent of (الحر) is the unlawful private parts and the intent of (المعازف) is music and musical instruments. This is because Allah, the Exalted prohibited the Muslims from the means of falling into prohibitions and no doubt watching evil films and what is displayed on the television of evil is from the means of falling into evil. Or lenience in not changing it. In Allah aid is sought”
[https://www.binbaz.org.sa/fatawa/543]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
