2 Proofs Why Watching Television Is Not Haram During Ramadan
C.J Ahmed-09.04.2023
Watching television while fasting during the month of Ramadan is not hara because there I no evidence to prove that entertainment is haram. The general discouragement among some scholars that the month of fasting is to engage in acts of worship and watching dramas or television is a form of evil actions. They quote the following hadith,
"Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”. (Bukhari)
The word “evil action s” in this hadith is used as an umbrella term by some scholars to prohibit television but this is nothing but an assumption. There is nothing g wrong in engaging in worldy en tertai nment and even the prophet (sal) engaged in sexual reations with his wives while fasting.
Narrated by Aisha (Rali), “The prophet (Sal) would hv sexual relations when he was Fasting, and would place a cloth between him and her, meaning over the private part.”
(Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh. Its Isnad is Good (Jayyid)).
Many who try to falsely argue by saying that that watching T.V is haram amazingly justify using the internet in the computer or smart phone. They wrongly argue that if you switch on the television channel you will anyway come across watching programs which contain things which are haram. If that argument is put forward in browsing the internet, then according to their argument browsing the internet is more dangerous than watching T.V because you can watch anything that is haram the way you like and can be done privately. On the other hand you cannot watch any television program the way you like because you have to watch the programs which are broadcasted by the television station. Below are the two hadith proofs proving why it is not haram to watch television.
First Hadith-Aisha(rali)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to my house when two girls were beside me singing songs of Bu’ath. The Prophet laid down and turned his face to the other side. Then, Abu Bakr came in and spoke to me harshly, saying, “Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet?” The Prophet turned his face toward him and he said, “Leave them alone.” When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to the girls and they left. It was the day of Eid and the Abyssinians were playing with shields and spears. Either I asked the Prophet or he asked me whether I would like to watch and I said yes. Then the Prophet made me stand behind him while my cheek was touching his cheek and the Prophet was saying, “Carry on, O tribe of Arfida.” I became tired and the Prophet asked me, “Are you satisfied?” I said yes, so I left.(Bukhari and Muslim).
The above hadith is clear evidence that the prophet (sal) allowed Aisha (rali) to watch the Abyssinians play with spears in the mosque as a form of entertainment. Similarly using T.V to watch programs which does not contain things that are haram is allowed in Islam and Muslims should not go in to extremes. Many scholars who have forbidden watching T.V have said that listening to the radio is allowed. This argument is also wrong because even the radio contains haram music. In conclusion, watching T.V is not haram if used for a purpose that does not go against the teachings of Islam like all the other gadgets and services.
Watching T.V is not haram because television can be made use for various good purposes. Many try to say that television has many evils and can corrupt the mind of the Muslim by watching things which are haram. The truth is everything has a thing that could leave one to do something that is haram. For an example, using the internet is one such thing. Many who try to falsely argue by trying to say that that watching T.V is haram amazingly justify using the internet in the computer or smart phone. They wrongly argue that if you switch on the television channel you will anyway come across watching programs which contain things which are haram. If that argument is put forward in browsing the internet, then according to their argument browsing the internet is more dangerous than watching T.V because you can watch anything that is haram the way you like and can be done privately. On the other hand you cannot watch any television program the way you like because you have to watch the programs which are broadcasted by the television station.
Second Hadith-Aisha(rali)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to my house when two girls were beside me singing songs of Bu’ath. The Prophet laid down and turned his face to the other side. Then, Abu Bakr came in and spoke to me harshly, saying, “Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet?” The Prophet turned his face toward him and he said, “Leave them alone.” When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to the girls and they left. It was the day of Eid and the Abyssinians were playing with shields and spears. Either I asked the Prophet or he asked me whether I would like to watch and I said yes. Then the Prophet made me stand behind him while my cheek was touching his cheek and the Prophet was saying, “Carry on, O tribe of Arfida.” I became tired and the Prophet asked me, “Are you satisfied?” I said yes, so I left.(Bukhari and Muslim).
The above hadith is clear evidence that the prophet (sal) allowed Aisha (rali) to watch the Abyssinians play with spears in the mosque as a form of entertainment. Similarly using T.V to watch programs which does not contain things that are haram is allowed in Islam and Muslims should not go in to extremes. Many scholars who have forbidden watching T.V have said that listening to the radio is allowed. This argument is also wrong because even the radio contains haram music according to these Muslims.
Conclusion
Watching television while fasting during the month of Ramadan is not haram in Islam because Islam never forbids entertainment. Those who try to forbid entertainment modes such as watching television are arguing without any evidence from the teachings of Islam.
Watching television while fasting during the month of Ramadan is not hara because there I no evidence to prove that entertainment is haram. The general discouragement among some scholars that the month of fasting is to engage in acts of worship and watching dramas or television is a form of evil actions. They quote the following hadith,
"Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”. (Bukhari)
The word “evil action s” in this hadith is used as an umbrella term by some scholars to prohibit television but this is nothing but an assumption. There is nothing g wrong in engaging in worldy en tertai nment and even the prophet (sal) engaged in sexual reations with his wives while fasting.
Narrated by Aisha (Rali), “The prophet (Sal) would hv sexual relations when he was Fasting, and would place a cloth between him and her, meaning over the private part.”
(Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh. Its Isnad is Good (Jayyid)).
Many who try to falsely argue by saying that that watching T.V is haram amazingly justify using the internet in the computer or smart phone. They wrongly argue that if you switch on the television channel you will anyway come across watching programs which contain things which are haram. If that argument is put forward in browsing the internet, then according to their argument browsing the internet is more dangerous than watching T.V because you can watch anything that is haram the way you like and can be done privately. On the other hand you cannot watch any television program the way you like because you have to watch the programs which are broadcasted by the television station. Below are the two hadith proofs proving why it is not haram to watch television.
First Hadith-Aisha(rali)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to my house when two girls were beside me singing songs of Bu’ath. The Prophet laid down and turned his face to the other side. Then, Abu Bakr came in and spoke to me harshly, saying, “Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet?” The Prophet turned his face toward him and he said, “Leave them alone.” When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to the girls and they left. It was the day of Eid and the Abyssinians were playing with shields and spears. Either I asked the Prophet or he asked me whether I would like to watch and I said yes. Then the Prophet made me stand behind him while my cheek was touching his cheek and the Prophet was saying, “Carry on, O tribe of Arfida.” I became tired and the Prophet asked me, “Are you satisfied?” I said yes, so I left.(Bukhari and Muslim).
The above hadith is clear evidence that the prophet (sal) allowed Aisha (rali) to watch the Abyssinians play with spears in the mosque as a form of entertainment. Similarly using T.V to watch programs which does not contain things that are haram is allowed in Islam and Muslims should not go in to extremes. Many scholars who have forbidden watching T.V have said that listening to the radio is allowed. This argument is also wrong because even the radio contains haram music. In conclusion, watching T.V is not haram if used for a purpose that does not go against the teachings of Islam like all the other gadgets and services.
Watching T.V is not haram because television can be made use for various good purposes. Many try to say that television has many evils and can corrupt the mind of the Muslim by watching things which are haram. The truth is everything has a thing that could leave one to do something that is haram. For an example, using the internet is one such thing. Many who try to falsely argue by trying to say that that watching T.V is haram amazingly justify using the internet in the computer or smart phone. They wrongly argue that if you switch on the television channel you will anyway come across watching programs which contain things which are haram. If that argument is put forward in browsing the internet, then according to their argument browsing the internet is more dangerous than watching T.V because you can watch anything that is haram the way you like and can be done privately. On the other hand you cannot watch any television program the way you like because you have to watch the programs which are broadcasted by the television station.
Second Hadith-Aisha(rali)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to my house when two girls were beside me singing songs of Bu’ath. The Prophet laid down and turned his face to the other side. Then, Abu Bakr came in and spoke to me harshly, saying, “Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet?” The Prophet turned his face toward him and he said, “Leave them alone.” When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to the girls and they left. It was the day of Eid and the Abyssinians were playing with shields and spears. Either I asked the Prophet or he asked me whether I would like to watch and I said yes. Then the Prophet made me stand behind him while my cheek was touching his cheek and the Prophet was saying, “Carry on, O tribe of Arfida.” I became tired and the Prophet asked me, “Are you satisfied?” I said yes, so I left.(Bukhari and Muslim).
The above hadith is clear evidence that the prophet (sal) allowed Aisha (rali) to watch the Abyssinians play with spears in the mosque as a form of entertainment. Similarly using T.V to watch programs which does not contain things that are haram is allowed in Islam and Muslims should not go in to extremes. Many scholars who have forbidden watching T.V have said that listening to the radio is allowed. This argument is also wrong because even the radio contains haram music according to these Muslims.
Conclusion
Watching television while fasting during the month of Ramadan is not haram in Islam because Islam never forbids entertainment. Those who try to forbid entertainment modes such as watching television are arguing without any evidence from the teachings of Islam.