Most, if not all, households in the West have a television
nowadays. It is so common and part of every day life that many may consider it odd if you
don't have one.
As Muslims we need to take care of our Deen first. So is television Halaal or Haraam? Some
consider it totally haraam due to what is broadcasted nowadays. Here are some points from a lecture
given by Dr. Saalih as-Saalih [A] to clarify this issue insha'Allaah whether or not TV is haraam.
Dr. Saalih as-Saalih started by going through the ill-things that are shown in television.
Television shows violence, criminals, fights.. it contains unlawful music. It shows superficial and
unrealistic things. It shows free-mixing of sexes, nakedness, gays, lesbians... distorted information
about Islaam and Muslims. In soap operas you witness cheating, unlawful relationships, drinking haraam things.
The extent of these things vary but in many cases they exist.
Watching television falls under three cases:
(1) Watching that which is of benefit for one's Deen / beneficial matters of
this life - this is ok yet conditional -> it should not become a means to watch
haraam.
(2) Seeing that which is harmful to one's deen -- this is haraam. The mu'min, believer, is
obligated to protect himself and his family in Deen.
(3) Seeing that which is of no benefit or harm. This is non-sense. It is
wasting time.
We should understand that the TV is an instrument. In itself there's no rules regarding it.
The ruling applies to its use. If it is used in haraam (showing haraam pictures,
foolishnes, cheating, deviant creeds, altering realities, inciting fitan etc) then it is clearly
haraam.
If it used for the recitation of Qur'aan, enjoining what is right and forbidding what
is wrong etc it becomes permissible from this angle.
If the evil exceeds the good things, it becomes haraam.
[A]TV yes or no?
(you can find the lecture under Muslim Life -> FAQ -Clarifications - General Topics -> TV - Yes or No?)
You can also read the full transcript of this lecture:
Tv - Yes or No?
(please note that this is not a direct link to the article. The article is found under the topic "Muslim Life")
Further Reading:
The Ruling on Television by Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee.
The Ruling on Looking at Women on the Television
The Ruling Concerning a Women Looking at Men on Television and on the Streets.
The Messenger of Allaah (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Everything with which a man amuses himself is Baatil (baseless, null and impermissible) - except three, his practicing with bow (and arrow); his training the horse and his playing with his family." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has said: "There are two blessings that many people lose, health and free time." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
