Why Watching Food Videos While Fasting is Not Haram in Islam
C.J Ahmed-18.04.2023
There is no evidence in Islam stating that watching or looking at food videos or food is disliked or prohibited. Islam is silent on this topic. The Prophet (sal) said,
“Verily Allah has obligated the obligations – so do not neglect them. And He has limited the limits – so do not transgress them. And His silence about things is from His mercy, not forgetfulness, so do not investigate them.” (Graded Hasan Sahih by Albani-Ad-Darqutni No. 4/199 and Al-Baihaqi No. 10/122)
The general dislike among some is the argument that looking at food videos is a waste of time while fasting and a Muslim can evote his time in the worship of Allah. Just because it is a waste of time for you does not mean it is a waste of time for someone else. Watching videos on the smartpone or television is not haram while fasting.
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 videos or television have said that listening to the radio is allowed. This argument is also wrong because even the radio contains haram music according to their argument
1)Aisha reported: She prepared a lady for marriage to a man among the Ansar. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “O Aisha, do you have any entertainment? Verily, the Ansar are fond of entertainment.”(Bukhari)
Entertainment was sought fter even by the companions of the prophet (sal) and the Ansar are the foremost cmpanions of the prophet (sal). Th e prophet (sal) said,
“Love for the Ansaar is a sign of faith and hatred for the Ansaar is a sign of hypocrisy.” (Bukhari)
If even the Ansar loved entertainment, how come Muslims nowadays fuss on entertainment?. There is no difference between watching food videos while fasting or not and there is nothing haram in watching food videos while fasting.
There is no evidence in Islam stating that watching or looking at food videos or food is disliked or prohibited. Islam is silent on this topic. The Prophet (sal) said,
“Verily Allah has obligated the obligations – so do not neglect them. And He has limited the limits – so do not transgress them. And His silence about things is from His mercy, not forgetfulness, so do not investigate them.” (Graded Hasan Sahih by Albani-Ad-Darqutni No. 4/199 and Al-Baihaqi No. 10/122)
The general dislike among some is the argument that looking at food videos is a waste of time while fasting and a Muslim can evote his time in the worship of Allah. Just because it is a waste of time for you does not mean it is a waste of time for someone else. Watching videos on the smartpone or television is not haram while fasting.
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 videos or television have said that listening to the radio is allowed. This argument is also wrong because even the radio contains haram music according to their argument
1)Aisha reported: She prepared a lady for marriage to a man among the Ansar. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “O Aisha, do you have any entertainment? Verily, the Ansar are fond of entertainment.”(Bukhari)
Entertainment was sought fter even by the companions of the prophet (sal) and the Ansar are the foremost cmpanions of the prophet (sal). Th e prophet (sal) said,
“Love for the Ansaar is a sign of faith and hatred for the Ansaar is a sign of hypocrisy.” (Bukhari)
If even the Ansar loved entertainment, how come Muslims nowadays fuss on entertainment?. There is no difference between watching food videos while fasting or not and there is nothing haram in watching food videos while fasting.