Is Watching TV Permissible or Prohibited? An Islamic Ruling and Clarification
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Volume 1, Page 861
❖ Question:
Is watching TV a sin or is it allowed?
I am very fond of watching television, especially dramas. However, I also fear Allah. I cannot live without watching dramas. Maybe you also have a TV in your house?
✿ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Watching TV is, without doubt, a sinful and prohibited act (ḥarām).
This action falls under the warning contained in the following verse of the Qur’an:
﴿وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ…﴾
[Surah Luqmān: 6]
“And among the people are those who purchase idle tales…”
Your statement that you fear Allah but still cannot give up watching dramas is quite contradictory.
Whether the drama contains obscene content, or is based on fictional lies, indulging in it and enjoying it is prohibited.
This attitude is similar to someone saying:
“I fear Allah, but I can’t stop committing fornication.”
Such a claim of taqwā (piety) and fear of Allah is completely devoid of sincerity.
In reality, this proves that there is no true fear of Allah in the heart.
As a poet once rightly said:
“Performed Hajj of the Ka‘bah, bathed in the Ganges —
Wanting both the pleasure of the Most Merciful and that of Shayṭān.”
As for your remark that:
“Maybe you also have a TV at home.”
Dear sister, that assumption is false.
It is not appropriate to assume that everyone is like yourself.
Let me assure you:
There is not even a tape recorder in my home.
Therefore, kindly correct your perspective and actions.
This is what I understand. And Allah knows best what is correct.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
