Fatwa ID: 08395
Answered by: Maulana Nuski Cassim
Question:
Can I please ask you is it possible For children to re enact a prophet story ( any prophet) and play the role of that prophet?
For Eid some of the community members want the kids to perform. We are not sure the permissibility.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Children enacting stories of the past can be something praiseworthy. However, caution must be taken to not portray those people who are not to be enacted–throughout all times–as they are those people who are to be shown respect and veneration in every way. Such people are the Ambiyah (‘as) in general and the Prophet ﷺ in particular.
وَرَفَعۡنَا لَكَ ذِكۡرَكَ
“And did We not raise for you your mention?” – [سورة الإنشراح، رقم الآية: ٤]
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا. لِتُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُعَزِّرُوهُ وَتُوَقِّرُوهُ
“O Prophet, We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good news and a warner, so believe in Allah and His Messenger and help and respect him” – [سورة الفتح، رقم الآية: ٨،٩]
This respect, shown through not enacting them, should be conferred to all the Prophets as they are all deserving of this, and it is from their rights (huqooq) that they be shown respect.
Furthermore, the Ambiyah (‘as) are from the signs of Allah ﷻ and it is from the taqwa and iman of a person that they venerate and show respect to the signs of Allah ﷻ.
وَمَن يُعَظِّمۡ شَعَـٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقۡوَى ٱلۡقُلُوبِ
“And whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” – [سورة الحج، رقم الآية: ٣٢]
With that said however, it will be permissible for children to enact the story of any prophet (‘as) and the characters involved without playing the role of the prophet whose story it is. The roles of the companions, angels, etc., must be played with the utmost respect and dignity.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
