Appearance of 'Ulama on TV or YouTube'

· 6 Safar 1434 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

In light of recent developments in our country what is the view of the senior 'Ulama and Muftiyan concerning the appearance of 'Ulama on TV - in particular "Islamic" TV Channels or YouTube?

Answer

The television is one of the main tools of Shaitaan in spreading obscenity, immodesty and shamelessness. Furthermore, producing pictures of animate objects as well as viewing them have been severely condemned in the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). In order for one to propagate Islam via the television, one is required to appear on the television. This demands that one allow his photo to be taken and to be videoed whereas this has been prohibited by Allah Ta'aala and his Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). All the four madhabs are unanimous upon the fact that picture making of animate objects is forbidden in Islam. Islam is not in need of adopting haraam means to spread its message. Hence, it is totally impermissible for anyone to propagate Islam via the television or YouTube.

In one Hadith Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned:

Those involved in picture-making will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the day of Qiyaamat. (Bukhari 2/880, Muslim 2/201)

For a detail explanation on this topic, refer to our kitaab “Photography and Modern Challenges.”

And Allah Ta'ala knows best.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

إن أشد الناس عذابا عند الله يوم القيامة المصورون (صحيح البخاري 2/880 ، صحيح لمسلم 2/201)

Answered by
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Mufti Online — Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, please ask a Mufti. Report an issue

For corrections or mistakes, please email us at fatawasa786@gmail.com.

People also ask

Is watching TV, movies or series permissible?

“The main focus of AFDA is on education related to film, television and entertainment. Such activities are not permissible in Shari’ah. In principle, it is not permissible to fundraise for impermissible activities.”

Ask Imaam · 231 fatawa from 7 Darul Iftas on this

What the Darul Iftas say