{"_id":"6858bc5ed5c5e2b9a0868821","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Is it permissible to watch movies?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Is it permissible to watch a movie that has men and women interacting together? For example, a (non-romantic) movie (ex. an action movie) where the main characters are of the opposite gender. Would this be considered free mixing and therefore haram to watch?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"What You Watch Shapes You\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nAs believers, we are called to be conscious of what we consume, not only in our diets, but in our hearts and minds. Imām al-Ghazālī said that the eyes and ears are windows to the soul. What we allow to pass through them leaves an imprint, often subtle, sometimes lasting. Whether it's images, sounds, stories, or ideas, we are accountable for the impact they have on our hearts, our actions, and our relationship with Allah.\\n\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Entertainment Has Its Place, But Also Its Limits\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nArt, games, and storytelling are not inherently forbidden in Islam. They are part of every human civilization. However, like all human activity, they must remain within the bounds set by the Sacred Law. Enjoyment isn’t ḥarām — but it should never come at the expense of your modesty, principles, or spiritual well-being.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Examples from Our Tradition\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\nEthiopians Dancing and Performing with Spears\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"ordered\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"The Prophet ﷺ explicitly affirmed the value of joy and cultural expression — and he rejected the notion that Islam is joyless or overly strict. Narrated by ʿĀʾishah: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ standing at the door of my room while the Ethiopians were playing with their spears in the mosque. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was shielding me with his cloak so I could watch their display, and he remained standing for my sake until I chose to leave.” \"},{\"insert\":\"[\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5236\"},\"insert\":\"Bukhārī & Muslim\"},{\"insert\":\"]\"},{\"attributes\":{\"indent\":1},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nAnd he said: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“Let the Jews know that in our religion there is flexibility. I was sent with a tolerant and easy religion.” \"},{\"insert\":\"[Musnad Aḥmad]\"},{\"attributes\":{\"indent\":1},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n2. Wrestling Matches\\nThe Prophet ﷺ himself participated in wrestling, showing that physical contests can be clean and dignified recreation. \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“The Prophet ﷺ wrestled Rukānah and threw him to the ground. He said, ‘Woe to you, O Muḥammad! How did you do that?’” \"},{\"insert\":\"[Abū Dāwūd]\"},{\"attributes\":{\"indent\":1},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n3. Horse and Camel Racing \\nThe Prophet ﷺ approved of racing and even organized races himself. \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“The Prophet ﷺ raced horses that had been made lean by training, from al-Ḥafya to Thaniyyat al-Wadāʿ, and those that had not been trained from Thaniyyat al-Wadāʿ to the Masjid Banī Zurayq.” \"},{\"insert\":\"[\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://sunnah.com/bukhari:7336\"},\"insert\":\"Bukhārī\"},{\"insert\":\"]\"},{\"attributes\":{\"indent\":1},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n4. Light Play and Laughter with One’s Spouse\\nʿĀʾishah narrates that the Prophet ﷺ raced her on multiple occasions: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“The Prophet ﷺ raced with me and I beat him. Later, when I had gained some weight, he raced me again and he beat me. He smiled and said, ‘This one is for that one.’” \"},{\"insert\":\"[\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://sunnah.com/abudawud:2578\"},\"insert\":\"Abū Dāwūd\"},{\"insert\":\"]\"},{\"attributes\":{\"indent\":1},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n5. Singing and Drumming at Weddings or Eid\\nTwo young girls were singing in ʿĀʾishah’s home while the Prophet ﷺ was present. Abū Bakr tried to stop them, but the Prophet ﷺ said: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“Leave them, O Abū Bakr, for every nation has its festival, and this is our festival.” \"},{\"insert\":\"[Bukhārī & Muslim]\"},{\"attributes\":{\"indent\":1},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Watching Films: Is It Permissible?\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nI cannot say that watching films is categorically ḥarām. Rather, the ruling depends on three things:\\nContent\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"ordered\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"Intention\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"ordered\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"Effect\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"ordered\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Content: \"},{\"insert\":\" Permissible films are those that align with Islamic values, or at the very least, do not promote what Allah has prohibited. Content that includes nudity, sexual indecency, romanticized sin, normalization of homosexuality, glorification of drug culture, or mockery of religion must be avoided. Even when presented artistically, such content cannot be justified.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Intention: \"},{\"insert\":\"Why are you watching this? To relax, to reflect, to learn something, to connect with family or friends? Or is it a moment of heedlessness, an escape that feeds the nafs and distances the heart from Allah? Intentions matter. They shape the weight of our actions. The goal should be to remain spiritually awake; to seek Allah’s pleasure in every moment, even in how we rest.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Effect: \"},{\"insert\":\"Does it leave you spiritually uplifted or distant from Allah? Does it motivate good, or desensitize you to sin? What remains in your mind after the screen goes dark?\\n\\nTo navigate this, use whatever tools are available:\\nParental ratings\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"Faith-based content review sites\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"Real-time filtering apps and devices.\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"These tools help ensure what you watch aligns with Islamic values and avoids clear prohibitions.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Watch Less, Live More\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nFinally, you must consider not just what you watch, but how much. Even permissible content, when consumed excessively, numbs the heart and wastes precious time.\\nEntertainment should serve your life, not replace it. If it begins to distract you from your prayers, your Qur’ān, your family, your purpose, then it's no longer entertainment, but a sugar-coated poison.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fe40b76658b4c23283a","tag":"Contemporary Life: Other","count":137},{"_id":"668d9ff10b76658b4c2329d2","tag":"Relationships: Opposite Gender","count":80},{"_id":"668d9fee0b76658b4c232978","tag":"Contemporary Life: Art","count":43},{"_id":"668da0120b76658b4c232d57","tag":"Contemporary Life: Technology","count":17}],"createdOn":"2025-06-23T02:30:54.672Z"}