{"id":40451,"date":"2026-02-06T12:54:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T12:54:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daruliftabirmingham.co.uk\/home\/?p=40451"},"modified":"2026-02-06T21:09:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T21:09:34","slug":"the-hanafi-ruling-on-engaging-in-modern-video-games-containing-music-violence-fantasy-themes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daruliftabirmingham.co.uk\/home\/the-hanafi-ruling-on-engaging-in-modern-video-games-containing-music-violence-fantasy-themes\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hanafi Ruling On Engaging In Modern Video Games Containing Music, Violence, & Fantasy Themes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fatwa ID: 08754<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Question:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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These games often contain elements such as:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Combat and violence, including killing in fictional settings or through cartoonish graphics<\/span><\/p>\n

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Music, sometimes in the background<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mildly immodest character designs, without explicit nudity<\/span><\/p>\n

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Supernatural powers or fantasy themes, often with magical abilities or fictional gods<\/span><\/p>\n

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Addictive gameplay, which may affect time management, including neglecting obligations such as prayers or family duties<\/span><\/p>\n

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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<\/span><\/p>\n

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My questions are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

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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?<\/span><\/p>\n

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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:<\/span><\/p>\n

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If a player skips the music or does not engage in in-game purchases<\/span><\/p>\n

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If they avoid violent actions in the game or focus on non-violent modes (e.g., <\/span>puzzles or exploration)<\/span><\/p>\n

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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? <\/span>I seek clarification on the guidelines for engaging with such games in a manner that aligns with Islamic principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Answer:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nMusic 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. E<\/span>xcessive or realistic violence in games may be makruh or even haram, especially if it promotes a violent mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Time is a blessing and must be used wisely. If gaming causes negligence in prayer, family duties, or work, it becomes sinful. <\/span>Loot boxes and gacha systems resemble gambling, which is strictly forbidden in Islam due to being exploitative. <\/span>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. V<\/span>ideo games are permissible, as long as they do not contain something that is clearly haram or harmful according to Sharia.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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References:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Sahih al-Bukhari 5590<\/span><\/p>\n

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“\u0642\u064f\u0644\u0652 \u0644\u0650\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0624\u0652\u0645\u0650\u0646\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u064a\u064e\u063a\u064f\u0636\u0651\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u0623\u064e\u0628\u0652\u0635\u064e\u0627\u0631\u0650\u0647\u0650\u0645\u0652 \u0648\u064e\u064a\u064e\u062d\u0652\u0641\u064e\u0638\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0641\u064f\u0631\u064f\u0648\u062c\u064e\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u06da \u0630\u064e\u0670\u0644\u0650\u0643\u064e \u0623\u064e\u0632\u0652\u0643\u064e\u0649\u0670 \u0644\u064e\u0647\u064f\u0645\u0652<\/span><\/p>\n

(Surah An-Nur, 24:30)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sahih Muslim 2658a<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0635\u0652\u0631\u0650. \u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0633\u064e\u0627\u0646\u064e \u0644\u064e\u0641\u0650\u064a \u062e\u064f\u0633\u0652\u0631\u064d<\/span><\/p>\n

(Surah Al-Asr, 103:1\u20132)<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u0623\u064e\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0631\u064e\u0633\u064f\u0648\u0644\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u0650 \u0635\u0644\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647 \u0639\u0644\u064a\u0647 \u0648\u0633\u0644\u0645 \u0642\u064e\u0627\u0644\u064e \u200f\u00a0“\u200f \u0644\u0627\u064e \u064a\u064e\u0646\u0652\u0628\u064e\u063a\u0650\u064a \u0644\u0650\u0635\u0650\u062f\u0651\u0650\u064a\u0642\u064d \u0623\u064e\u0646\u0652 \u064a\u064e\u0643\u064f\u0648\u0646\u064e \u0644\u064e\u0639\u0651\u064e\u0627\u0646\u064b\u0627 \u200f”\u200f \u200f.\u200f<\/span><\/p>\n

Sahih Muslim 2597a<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u064a\u064e\u0627 \u0623\u064e\u064a\u0651\u064f\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0630\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0622\u0645\u064e\u0646\u064f\u0648\u0627 \u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u062e\u064e\u0645\u0652\u0631\u064f \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0633\u0650\u0631\u064f… \u0631\u0650\u062c\u0652\u0633\u064c \u0645\u0651\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u0639\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0644\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0634\u0651\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0637\u064e\u0627\u0646\u0650 \u0641\u064e\u0627\u062c\u0652\u062a\u064e\u0646\u0650\u0628\u064f\u0648\u0647\u064f<\/span><\/p>\n

(Surah Al-Ma\u2019idah, 5:90)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Only Allah knows best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Written by Alimah Aisha Qureshi<\/span><\/p>\n

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah<\/span><\/p>\n

Darul Ifta Birmingham<\/span><\/p>\n

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