Fatwa ID: 08375

Answered by: Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad

Question:

Is it permissible for us to play video games which has human-like characters with facial features?

Sometimes it is possible to remove the face of the character by ourselves, but it can be seen that other players will use the facial features anyways.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

There is a difference of opinion when it comes to digital pictures. Some have outlawed it altogether, some have allowed moving digital pictures and videos (as in the case of video games), and some have unrestrictedly allowed digital pictures due to their temporary nature. Some scholars differentiate between generated and realistic pictures. To avoid this issue, the best is to adopt Taqwa and avoid video games altogether. The more important issue with video games is that they adopt elements of Lahw (amusement) and La’ib (play) and may include unislamic aspects. It is best to replace video games with other Halal means of entertainment.

Considering that leaving video games may be difficult for certain individuals and that each person’s situation is different, you may follow the Usool (يختار أهون الشرّين) and choose the lesser of two evils. Know that the elements of Lahw and La’ib still remain and that it is better to break this habit.

Regarding digital pictures, the opinion many scholars adopt is that due to their temporary nature and lack of permanence and perpetual continuity, they would not fall under the ruling of Tasweer. Mufti Rafi Usmani explains:

There are those who have excluded it from the issue of falling under the ruling of prohibited imagery (taṣwīr) looking at its reality. The reason for this is that the digital image is a combination of tiny electronic rays, that do not have a physical structure, and are in the form of many pixels that cannot be counted. The electric signals move from the digital device and the digital camera to the screen, walls or curtains. These pixels appear in a specific sequence, which bring into existence visible forms (images) on the screen. However, these forms do not remain on the screen or walls etc.

The more acceptable view according to us is that it is permissible, since what appears on the screens from the imagery and scenes, under the digital platform is not a ‘picture’ in actuality, nor a reflection, shadow or trace.

As for it not being a picture; A picture in its true meaning, comes into existence when it is carved, drawn or formed onto something with the quality of permanence and perpetual continuity in its existence. These digital images that appear and are visible on screens etc. have no permanence nor perpetual continuity in their existence on something. Rather the image comprises of divisions of electronic rays that continue to be transmitted from the camera to the screen and appear on it in such a manner that there is no permanence in terms of its appearance and its disappearance. Meaning that it either appears or disappears on an immediate basis without any form of permanence on it, with exemplary speed.

The extent of this, is that one digital image comprising of 19 390 000 pixels originates 60 frames which appear and disappear in a second on a screen of an average resolution computer. Thereafter, one can recall the image again and again without any break. With this method, these rays appear on the screens and disappear immediately and are followed subsequently by other electronic rays and disappear rapidly in this manner. It therefore is apparent from this description that the images and scenes that appear on the screens do not have permanence nor perpetual continuity, rather they appear and disappear in a second, 60 times. This is the reason the digital image cannot be regarded as a ‘picture’ ‘ṣūrah’ or ‘taswīr’ in actuality.

References:

The Issue of Photography, Camera, Videos and Drawing (Shaykh Muftī Rafi’ Usmānī)

Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.

Written by Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham