Fatwa ID: 08754

 

 

Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi

 

Question:

 

I have a question regarding the permissibility of playing video games in Islam, particularly within the Hanafi madhab. I am referring to games that are commonly played today, including titles such as first-person shooters, action-adventure games, multiplayer games, and role-playing games.

 

These games often contain elements such as:

Combat and violence, including killing in fictional settings or through cartoonish graphics

Music, sometimes in the background

Mildly immodest character designs, without explicit nudity

Supernatural powers or fantasy themes, often with magical abilities or fictional gods

Addictive gameplay, which may affect time management, including neglecting obligations such as prayers or family duties

In-game rewards systems (like loot boxes or gacha systems) where players can spend currency (real or virtual) for chances to unlock items or characters

 

My questions are as follows:

Is it permissible to play these types of video games in Islam, according to the Hanafi madhab? Specifically, do the above elements render them haram or makruh?

If a game contains haram elements (such as violence, gambling-like mechanics, or music), but the player avoids engaging with these elements, is the game still permissible to play? For example:

If a player skips the music or does not engage in in-game purchases

If they avoid violent actions in the game or focus on non-violent modes (e.g., puzzles or exploration)

If the game does not directly encourage immoral behaviour, but contains potentially problematic content (e.g., killing in a fictional context or themes of polytheism), does this impact its permissibility? I seek clarification on the guidelines for engaging with such games in a manner that aligns with Islamic principles.

 

 

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

 

 

Answer:

 

Video games is a common form of entertainment, especially among youth. However, as Muslims, we are required to ensure that all our actions, including recreation, coincide with the Sharia. Many modern games include content such as violence, music, immodesty, magic or fantasy, and potentially addictive or gambling.

Music is prohibited (haram), especially when used for entertainment. If a game includes background music, the player should mute or disable it whenever possible. immodest clothing, even if there is no nudity. While this may not involve direct zina, it still contradicts the Islamic command to lower the gaze and avoid exposure to inappropriate images. Excessive or realistic violence in games may be makruh or even haram, especially if it promotes a violent mindset.

 

Time is a blessing and must be used wisely. If gaming causes negligence in prayer, family duties, or work, it becomes sinful. Loot boxes and gacha systems resemble gambling, which is strictly forbidden in Islam due to being exploitative. The permissibility of video games depends on their content and impact. The Qur’an warns against distractions that leads a person away from the remembrance of Allah. Video games are permissible, as long as they do not contain something that is clearly haram or harmful according to Sharia.

 

 

References:

 

قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عَامِرٍ ـ أَوْ أَبُو مَالِكٍ ـ الأَشْعَرِيُّ وَاللَّهِ مَا كَذَبَنِي سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ لَيَكُونَنَّ مِنْ أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ يَسْتَحِلُّونَ الْحِرَ وَالْحَرِيرَ وَالْخَمْرَ وَالْمَعَازِفَ، وَلَيَنْزِلَنَّ أَقْوَامٌ إِلَى جَنْبِ عَلَمٍ يَرُوحُ عَلَيْهِمْ بِسَارِحَةٍ لَهُمْ، يَأْتِيهِمْ ـ يَعْنِي الْفَقِيرَ ـ لِحَاجَةٍ فَيَقُولُوا ارْجِعْ إِلَيْنَا غَدًا‏.‏ فَيُبَيِّتُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَضَعُ الْعَلَمَ، وَيَمْسَخُ آخَرِينَ قِرَدَةً وَخَنَازِيرَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏”‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 5590

 

“قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ

(Surah An-Nur, 24:30)

 

 عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ كُتِبَ عَلَى ابْنِ آدَمَ نَصِيبُهُ مِنَ الزِّنَى مُدْرِكٌ ذَلِكَ لاَ مَحَالَةَ فَالْعَيْنَانِ زِنَاهُمَا النَّظَرُ وَالأُذُنَانِ زِنَاهُمَا الاِسْتِمَاعُ وَاللِّسَانُ زِنَاهُ الْكَلاَمُ وَالْيَدُ زِنَاهَا الْبَطْشُ وَالرِّجْلُ زِنَاهَا الْخُطَا وَالْقَلْبُ يَهْوَى وَيَتَمَنَّى وَيُصَدِّقُ ذَلِكَ الْفَرْجُ وَيُكَذِّبُهُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 2658a

 

وَالْعَصْرِ. إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ

(Surah Al-Asr, 103:1–2)

 

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ لاَ يَنْبَغِي لِصِدِّيقٍ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَعَّانًا ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 2597a

 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ… رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ

(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:90)

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham