Fatwa ID: 05737
Answered by: Shaykh Ahmed bin Mohamed Umarji
Question
I love games that are story-based with choices or graphic novels and movies but there is no way that any of these things makes people act like Muslims I have watched and played many things like this but it doesn’t affect my behaviour as this is fictional the fatwas online say it is haram but I know that many of them follow the strict opinions or only the 4 schools of thought I want to know that if there is any Shiekh who was made this halal like with music Imam el Ghazali (the Sunni) made it halal although the 4 schools of thought have made it haram I think you understand the concept.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Our religion of Islam is a balanced one. Islam allows relaxation and enjoyment.
It has been established that some of the Sahabah would relax and enjoy some free time to re-energize themselves for worship.
1 قال أبو الدرداء إني لأستجم نفسي بالشيء من اللھو فیكون ذلك عوناً لي على الحق وقالعلي كرم ﷲ وجھھ روحوا القلوب فإنھا إذا أكرھت عمیت الكتاب: إحیاء علوم الدین – الناشر:
دار المعرفة – بیروت – مجلد: 4 صفحة: 376
Having said that as Muslims, what we do for enjoyment or relaxation should also be beneficial.
2. Abu Hurairah narrated from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: “Indeed among the excellence of a person’s Islam is that he leaves what does not concern him.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2317]
Though these games which you are referring to may have some benefit, the harm outweighs the benefit. Many of these games and stories have themes that are against the teachings and values of Islam.
According to Hanafi jurists, spending time on futile activities is Impermissible.3
Only Allah knows best
Written by Shaykh Ahmed bin Mohamed Umarji
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
⦁ عَنْ أبَيِ ھرَُیْرَةَ، قاَلَ قاَلَ رَسُولُ َّ ﷲِ صلى ﷲ علیھ وسلم ” مِنْ حُسْنِ إسِْلامَِ الْمَرْءِ ترَْكُھُ مَا
لاَ یعَْنیِھِ “
⦁ فاللَّ عِبُ وھوَُ اللَّ ھْوُ حَرامٌ باِلنَّ ِّ ص قالَ – »لھَْوُ المُؤْمِنِ باطِلٌ إلّا فيِ ثلَاثٍ: تأَدِْیبھُُ فرََسَھُ« -الكتاب: رد المحتار على الدر المختار – الناشر: دار الفكر-بیروت – مجلد: 6 – صفحة: 348
