Shaykh Muqbil’s fatwaa on television (cont.)

Al ‘Allaamah Shaykh Muqbil’s fatwaa on television (cont.)

Taken from Ijaabatus-Saa’il ‘alaa Ahimm il-Masaa’il, pp.245-246


Translated by Aboo Sumayyah Aqeel Walker
Written by/Said by Al Imaam Muqbil bin Haadee Al Waadi’ee (Rahimahullaah)
Edited by Editorial Staff at tazkiyah.org


Question:


Some people, if you argue against them by mentioning the fact that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam) prohibited the gaze (i.e. looking at members of the opposite sex who are not one’s relatives), and likewise Allaah (glory be unto Him, the Most High) prohibited the gaze (at members of the opposite sex) in a verse (of the Qur’aan), the person does not consider the picture that he sees on the television to be the same as this form or image (of a woman) that he sees on the street, for example. He says (about the picture on TV), “This is just a picture.”


Answer:


Look at this contradiction, my brothers in Allaah’s religion. Some people, if you say to them, “Verily looking at the woman that is on television is forbidden,” the person will respond by saying, “This woman (on TV, her picture) is not like the woman that is on the street. This is just called a picture (the woman on TV).” Then after this, the looking at the picture itself, if it is a picture that is on paper, and her thighs are exposed, and likewise her arms are uncovered and her face is seductive, it is not permissible for a man to look at her, even if it is just the picture of a woman on paper, let alone if it is a picture of her that appears, and moves, and other things as well (like on TV). And has anything caused more corruptive trials and temptations for the people more than the pictures on television? If the people are not being tested and seduced by the pictures, then why don’t they make a television without a picture.


We request from them that they make a television without a picture, we the Muslims. What’s wrong with them that they put pictures of themselves on their books? What’s wrong with them that they take pictures as a part of the curriculums of study, and in other things from the trials and clear matters? The Muslim has no choice in these times but to adhere to his religion and not be concerned with whoever opposes him. That which I advise every brother in Allaah’s religion, is that he adheres to his religion and not be concerned with whoever opposes him. May Allaah help everyone to do what He loves and is pleased with. I ask the brother who is asking the question.


The person will say, “Verily the television contains Qur’aan and Hadeeths and religious admonishment and panels discussions.” I ask the brother, “Do the governments bring in the television in order to spread the religion of Islam or in order to spread their politics?” With all fairness, the governments bring the televisions and the media broadcasts to spread their politics.


So ask Allaah to make it easy for the Muslims to have a means of broadcast that conveys Allaah’s religion in the proper manner that it should be conveyed. And all praise is due to Allaah. If the Muslims establish what is obligatory in the masjids and the obligation of inviting to Allaah’s religion, then this contains an abundance of good, and all praise is due to Allaah, the Lord of all that exists.


The discussion concerning pictures, are they forbidden or not? That which we believe and practice the religion of Allaah upon is that pictures are forbidden, even if there was nothing else to prove it other than the hadeeth about the curtain. And it is the hadeeth related by ‘Aishah, and it is in the two Saheehs (of Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim). The hadeeth states that she (‘Aaishah) covered up the entrance of a small room that she had with a curtain that had images on it. And the curtain was called a Qiraam, which is a type of cloth covering. So the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam) entered and he saw the curtain, or he intended to enter and he saw the curtain, and then he refused to enter, and his face showed that he was upset. Then he said, “O ‘Aaishah, don’t you know that the people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection will be those who make these pictures?” Then, also on another occasion he wanted to enter and found two coushions (in the house) - which means two pillows - and they had images on them. Then he took the two coushions and tore them up.


Therefore, pictures, if they are considered pictures of animate beings (that have souls, such as people and animals), then they are forbidden and it makes no difference whether it is a picture on a peice of paper, or on television or on video tape. This is nothing other than blind following and fear of differing with people. The people say, “It is not considered a picture”, and “it is just like a mirror”, and other things from these different statements. The mirror doesn’t capture the image but the television is a captured image. These are only claims and deceptive tricks upon us so that we remain behind them like cattle.


Anything that is brought to us from the enemies of Islam we accept it and meet it with open acceptance. And Allaah is the One Who is sought for help.


What do you say about the hadeeth of the curtain (of ‘Aaishah), oh our brothers? Is the picture that is on the curtain a three dimensional image or not? It is not three dimensional figure (like a statue). So this is a clear proof that no one can deviate from except someone who is trying to be stubborn or someone who has been effected by some other people or he thinks good about some people (i.e. relying upon them, giving them the benefit of the doubt).


And Allaah is the One Who is sought for help.