This article is derived from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, which is based on the fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain. The translation has been done by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
✔ Recitation of the Qur’an
✔ Islamic lectures and speeches
✔ Business broadcasts
✔ Political news and updates
However, watching television becomes impermissible if it involves listening to or viewing haram content, such as:
Immoral songs
Indecent speech
Women singing, even if their songs are not obscene
Male singers who imitate effeminate gestures and movements while performing
On the other hand, there are situations where watching permissible content becomes necessary, especially when it benefits one’s self, family, or the Ummah.
Despite this, it is safer and more cautious to avoid television altogether, as it often becomes a means of exposure to impermissible content.
[Fatwa by the Saudi Fatwa Committee]
Question:
What is the ruling on sitting in front of the television to watch religious discussions or purposeful social programs?Answer:
Watching television is permissible under the condition that the content being watched or listened to is not haram. This includes:✔ Recitation of the Qur’an
✔ Islamic lectures and speeches
✔ Business broadcasts
✔ Political news and updates
However, watching television becomes impermissible if it involves listening to or viewing haram content, such as:
Immoral songs
Indecent speech
Women singing, even if their songs are not obscene
Male singers who imitate effeminate gestures and movements while performing
Summary of the Ruling:
The permissibility of watching television depends on the content. If what is being watched or listened to is lawful (halal), then it is permissible. However, sometimes even watching or listening to lawful content can be discouraged due to excessiveness and wastage of time.On the other hand, there are situations where watching permissible content becomes necessary, especially when it benefits one’s self, family, or the Ummah.
Despite this, it is safer and more cautious to avoid television altogether, as it often becomes a means of exposure to impermissible content.
[Fatwa by the Saudi Fatwa Committee]