Ruling on Watching TV Dramas While Fasting in Light of Qur'an and Hadith
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (Hafizahullah)โ A Sharโi Review of Watching TV Dramas During Fasting
To determine whether watching TV dramas during fasting is permissible or not, it is essential to reflect deeply on the purpose of fasting as taught in Islamic teachings, and to assess the content of what is being watched in light of the Qurโan and Sunnah.
โ Purpose of Fasting
Allah Almighty says:
"ููุง ุฃููููููุง ุงูููุฐูููู ุขู ููููุง ููุชูุจู ุนูููููููู ู ุงูุตููููุงู ู ููู ูุง ููุชูุจู ุนูููู ุงูููุฐูููู ู ููู ููุจูููููู ู ููุนููููููู ู ุชูุชููููููู"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 183)
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa (piety)."
Insight: The core purpose of fasting is not merely refraining from food and drink, but developing taqwa (God-consciousness) by avoiding sinful actions and inclining toward righteousness.โ Prophetic Explanation of Fastingโs Reality
The Prophet ๏ทบ said:
"Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, then Allah has no need for him to abstain from his food and drink."
(Sahih Bukhari: 1903)
Explanation:This Hadith clearly establishes that fasting demands abstaining from all sinful and idle behavior, not just eating and drinking. Immoral speech, lying, and meaningless indulgences defeat the purpose of fasting.
โ Sharโi Evaluation of Watching TV Dramas During Fasting
(A) If the Drama Contains Un-Islamic Elements:
If the TV drama includes any of the following, then watching it is prohibited during fasting and even outside of Ramadan:
โ Indecency and vulgarity: Unlawful interactions between non-mahram men and women, romantic scenes, inappropriate attire, or suggestive dialogue contradict Islamic values.
โ Music and singing: Islamic teachings discourage indulgence in music and musical entertainment, especially during acts of worship like fasting.
โ False beliefs or un-Islamic traditions: Some dramas promote values, rituals, or ideologies that conflict with Islamic creed, thus endangering one's faith.
โ Wastage of time: Ramadan is a sacred time, and wasting it on idle pastimes diminishes the spiritual rewards of fasting.
Conclusion: Dramas with such content should be avoided entirely, especially during Ramadan.(B) If the Drama Has Educational or Positive Content:
If a drama focuses on education, reform, Islamic knowledge, or promotes moral values and does not include anything haram, then watching it may be permissible in principle.
However, even in this case, it is far more virtuous to spend time in:
โ Recitation of the Qur'an
โ Remembrance (Dhikr)
โ Duสฟฤ and reflection
โ Learning Islamic rulings
โ Giving charity and performing good deeds
Ramadan is a month of spiritual opportunity, and even permissible entertainment should be minimized to maximize reward.โ Final Ruling โ Should One Watch Dramas While Fasting?
If the dramas contain indecency, sinful content, or musical elements, then:
Watching them is not allowed during fasting.
They harm the spiritual goals of the fast. Even in the case of clean or beneficial content, it is better to refrain during fasting hours, as fasting is a time for increased devotion, not distraction.โ Best Alternatives to Watching Dramas During Fasting
โ Recitation of the Qur'an
โ Making Dhikr and Duสฟฤ
โ Studying authentic Islamic knowledge
โ Performing righteous deeds and helping others
โ Fulfilling Sunnah acts of worship
By focusing on these activities, one aligns with the true spirit of fasting, which is to attain taqwa and draw nearer to Allah ๏ทป.
Conclusion
Watching TV dramas during fasting hoursโespecially those containing impermissible contentโis harmful to the spirit and objective of fasting.
Even if content is permissible, it remains more rewarding to invest one's time in acts of worship and spiritual growth.
May Allah enable us to use Ramadan for what it was truly meant for: achieving closeness to Him through sincere worship and righteous deeds. ฤmฤซn!
