Question:

 

Is it permissible for a woman to spend extended periods of time watching male dominated television shows even if they are of an Islamic nature? Additionally holding the male presenters in high esteem and praising them as individuals in front of her husband? Is it not possible that women whilst watching television could become attached to the television personalities and should avoid spending unnecessary amounts of time watching men on television? Similarly is it permissible for a male to watch television shows dominated by women even if they are wearing Hijab and then to praise the females in front of his wife?

 

Answer:

 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

It is Haram for men and women to watch television shows which have male presenters and female presenters. It is obvious that the different presenters will express their various talents in the presentation to impress their viewers. A female viewer will definitely be attracted to the male presenter’s masculine qualities and once that germinates in her heart, it is the beginning of her spiritual decay. Her days and nights will revolve around her male hero. Her husband, father, brother, grandfather will all be insignificant to her in relation to her TV hero. Some people even think of their male heroes when in Salaah and Naoozubillah, when with their husbands.

It is also Haram for males to watch female presenters who will give her all in her presentation, her facial expression and smile coupled with makeup will most definitely allure male viewers. The feeling travels to the depth of the heart and mind and stays there for a long time. The form and shape of such presenters robs one of Ruhaniyyat and closeness to Allah. Such shows are a grave danger to ones marriage.

It is the height of immorality that the husband tolerate’s his wife looking at male presenter’s or for a female to tolerate her husband engrossed in viewing female presenter’s. In most cases, the contents f the presentation is not the purpose. It is the form, shape and other attractions of the person that is considered.

All that is nothing but Fitna, and detrimental to ones Iman and spirituality.

 

Ask yourself these questions while watching TV:

 

• > Is my Allah happy with me in this state?
• > Am I truthful to my Allah with my heart and eye’s whilst watching TV?
• > Is my wife happy with me admiring the female presenters?
• > Is my husband happy with me admiring the male presenters?
• > Am I not washing away the Noor of my Ibadah (Salaah, Quran, Zikr etc) in my heart by watching TV?
• > What if my time is up to die at this time and point while watching TV/What a disgraceful death!

All you need is a little courage to wean yourself of the TV. Nothing can be achieved without courage. Consider the benefits of not watching TV. The most important is you will be saving time. You will be able to spend quality time in other important issues in life.

 

All the Ulama are unanimous on the various detriments of the TV.

The harmful effects of the TV outweigh any perceived benefits of the TV.

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

Idealwoman.org

This is a general advice and it is not designed in response to any conflict on the issue.