Question:

Many Muslim homes in our area have been afflicted with the presence of televisions inside the house, under the pretext of knowing international news, events in Muslim countries, and what is happening among others—yet it contains the evils that it contains. Now, satellite dishes have also entered [the homes] with the intention of expanding coverage of world news and other things. This individual is eager to uproot the television from his home, but inevitably, his children and wife might watch it at their parents’, grandfather’s, uncle’s, or maternal uncle’s house. So, what is the best course of action in this matter? May Allah reward you with goodness, O Shaykh.

Answer:

By Allah! My brother, to Allah we complain. One should not be surprised that foreign media outlets broadcast what corrupts beliefs, thoughts, and morals, because they are enemies. All disbelievers are enemies to the Muslim; no matter how much they pretend to be friends, they are enemies, by Allah!

This is by the testimony of Allah Almighty: “O you who have believed, do not take My enemy and your enemy as allies…“ [Al-Mumtahanah: 1].

And the Almighty says: “They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike…“ [An-Nisa: 89].

And He, Almighty, says: “…and they wish you would disbelieve.” [Al-Mumtahinah: 2].

The texts of the Book (the Qur’an) and the Sunnah on this matter are clear. It is not permissible for us to be deceived by the false affection they display with their tongues, nor should we be like an ostrich that buries its head in the sand. They are enemies, but through their lack of faith, they adapt to whatever they see as being in their own self-interest. Based on what we hear, they are now broadcasting on these satellite channels things that a rational person—let alone a believer—would be ashamed to even mention. They broadcast nudity, prostitutes, and immoral women, where a man can be seen with a naked woman.

What do you think, my brother, when such things are propagated in front of youth who are full of vitality, well-fed, and physically healthy? What will happen? The least or most expected outcome will be evil. Consequently, we have heard reports of people committing incest with their own daughters or sisters. This is something we wouldn’t even want to speak about, let alone believe, let alone have it actually happening among us!

Therefore, my view is that a rational person should remove these things from their home. As for the news—are you legally obligated to follow it? By Allah, we hear nothing from the news except that which brings us sadness, because the solution is not in our hands. Who can solve the Kosovo problem right now? Who can? It achieves nothing except tightening the chest and bringing anxiety and grief.

Furthermore, not everyone benefits from the news. With regard to the news, people fall into three categories:

• A category that benefits from it: They understand what is happening to the world, and perhaps the person has a degree of political insight through which they can direct things toward what is beneficial.
• Another category: Those who are dead of heart; they distinguish neither good nor evil. For them, watching such things is simply a waste of time and a waste of money.
• A third category: Those whose hearts are alive, but they possess no political influence or decision-making power. Consequently, they only become saddened and pained, so there is no good in them watching it.

​Therefore, my advice to you is to remove it from your home.

As for them going to relatives and finding this present with them, yes, this is true. If you are able to prevent them from doing so, then prevent them. However, if you are unable to do so because the relatives are very close, or because they are youths whom you cannot control, then adopt an alternative method that provides them with entertainment and steers them away—such as what they call the computer, and films from which you select exactly what you want. And as for the Hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Whoever does not care about the affairs of the Muslims is not of them.”

Yes, this is well-known, but is my concern for the affairs of the Muslims dependent upon watching these calamities? Furthermore, even if we assume that it does encourage concern, its harms are far greater. Who can guarantee me that a person will only watch what is in the interest of the Muslims? For the vast majority of people who acquire these devices, this is neither their intention nor the reality of their situation.