On Games, Hobbies and Entertainment
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ
The widespread popularity of video games, cartoons and sports have reached to such a point that it is a general problem concerning every household. In fact, despite the enormity of such a problem, there is little attention given to it especially in today’s age.
Ustādh AbdulAziz al-Haqqān حفظه الله has addressed many issues related to the topic of games, hobbies and entertainment whilst referring back to his scholars in Kuwait to ensure we understand the boundaries between permissible leisure and prohibited activities. This post is a compilation of such questions and answers asked to him. May Allāh ﷻ grant us understanding of His religion.
Q: What is the ruling on shooting games where one can ‘revive’ others, see others highlighted through walls and ‘respawn’ after dying?
“I do not think any of this means resurrection. What is meant is ‘respawn’ or ‘resuscitate’, so I do not see this to be meaning giving life to someone who has died. And Allāh knows best”
Q: Is it permissible to watch the NBA?
“Whatever it is, it is permissible to watch as long as there isn’t something that is haram in it. For example, music, awrah and uncovered women. Some may ask that there is some music in the background, but they do not pay any attention to it. We say Alhamdulillāh we can use the remote to lower the volume to the point where the music is almost not there. The ʽulama have stated the difference between istimāʽ (استماع) and samaʽ (سمع) (i.e active listening and general hearing). Istimāʽ is intending to listen to the music, whereas samaʽ is essentially hearing music (for example, going to the doctor and there is background music being played) and there is no focus to it. Some people listen to music whilst singing along to it - this is haram. Do not sing, listen to it, nor pay attention to it. So In Sha Allāh, if there is some music then you can lower it at the times where music is being played, and when there is no music then you can watch.
But what about if the awrah is showing? The people of ʽilm have stated that if awrah is shown, then do not watch it.”
Q: What is the ruling on watching clips of boxing and the UFC?
“The same thing as the previous question, they are showing their awrah. I don’t know if there are boxing matches or UFC matches where awrah is not shown and there are no women. But I do believe there is no music, right? Because nowadays SubhanAllāh, when they want to advertise something they bring a woman in a bikini so that people watch. This is haram. In terms of watching a match - if the awrah is not showing, then you can watch. This is on the saying (based on what the people of ‘ilm have said) that the ruqbah is from of the awrah”