❀ Islamic Ruling on Publishing Immoral Content in Magazines ❀
This fatwa is taken from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the rulings of the Scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
What is the ruling on publishing magazines and journals that contain indecent images of women, romantic photos, and news related to actors and actresses? Additionally, what is the Islamic ruling regarding those who work for, buy, or distribute such magazines?
Publishing magazines and journals that feature images of women, promote fornication, obscenity, homosexuality, and intoxicants is strictly impermissible (ḥarām). It is also prohibited to work for such publications—whether by writing, editing, promoting, or distributing them.
This is because such actions fall under cooperation in sin and transgression, spreading corruption on Earth, moral decay, and the promotion of evil character. Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ﴾
(5 – Al-Mā'idah: 2)
“Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«من دعا إلى هدى كان له من الأجر مثل أجور من تبعه... ومن دعا إلى ضلالة كان عليه من الإثم مثل آثام من تبعه...»
“Whoever invites to guidance will receive the reward equal to those who follow him without it decreasing their reward in the least. And whoever invites to misguidance will bear the sin equal to those who follow him, without their sins being decreased in the least.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
The Prophet ﷺ also warned:
«صنفان من أهل النار لم أرهما بعد... ونساء كاسيات عاريات مائلات مميلات...»
“There are two types among the people of Hell whom I have not yet seen: men holding whips like the tails of oxen with which they beat people, and women who are clothed yet naked, inclined (to evil) and cause others to incline (towards them)... They will neither enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance...”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
This ruling is further supported by multiple Qur’ānic verses and authentic Prophetic narrations.
We pray to Allah Almighty to grant the Muslim Ummah the ability to engage only in acts that promote righteousness and lead to their reform and salvation. May He guide those involved in media and journalism to uphold integrity and safeguard the moral fabric of the Muslim society. Surely, He is Most Generous and Most Kind.
(Shaykh Ibn Bāz رحمه الله)
This fatwa is taken from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the rulings of the Scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on publishing magazines and journals that contain indecent images of women, romantic photos, and news related to actors and actresses? Additionally, what is the Islamic ruling regarding those who work for, buy, or distribute such magazines?
❖ Answer:
Publishing magazines and journals that feature images of women, promote fornication, obscenity, homosexuality, and intoxicants is strictly impermissible (ḥarām). It is also prohibited to work for such publications—whether by writing, editing, promoting, or distributing them.
This is because such actions fall under cooperation in sin and transgression, spreading corruption on Earth, moral decay, and the promotion of evil character. Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ﴾
(5 – Al-Mā'idah: 2)
“Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«من دعا إلى هدى كان له من الأجر مثل أجور من تبعه... ومن دعا إلى ضلالة كان عليه من الإثم مثل آثام من تبعه...»
“Whoever invites to guidance will receive the reward equal to those who follow him without it decreasing their reward in the least. And whoever invites to misguidance will bear the sin equal to those who follow him, without their sins being decreased in the least.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
The Prophet ﷺ also warned:
«صنفان من أهل النار لم أرهما بعد... ونساء كاسيات عاريات مائلات مميلات...»
“There are two types among the people of Hell whom I have not yet seen: men holding whips like the tails of oxen with which they beat people, and women who are clothed yet naked, inclined (to evil) and cause others to incline (towards them)... They will neither enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance...”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]
This ruling is further supported by multiple Qur’ānic verses and authentic Prophetic narrations.
We pray to Allah Almighty to grant the Muslim Ummah the ability to engage only in acts that promote righteousness and lead to their reform and salvation. May He guide those involved in media and journalism to uphold integrity and safeguard the moral fabric of the Muslim society. Surely, He is Most Generous and Most Kind.
(Shaykh Ibn Bāz رحمه الله)
