Question:
Q1-Is it permissible to play computer games with animate pictures if Salaat etc is not missed because if they have nothing to play or do at home then they go with bad friends?
Answer:
In Fatwaa no. 067/04 we made mention of the various harms of playing computer games and that the Shari’ah disapproves of it. The greatest harm is of addiction which causes a person to become neglectful to ones Salaah. The time lost in playing computer could rather be utilised in attaining Islamic knowledge.
If it is feared that the child will choose bad company if not kept in the home,, then it will be permissible for the child to play such computer games as long as Salaah and all other Shar’i duties are not neglected, money is not wasted on it and one does not become addicted to it. Today computer games can be more harmful than bad friends; therefore parents should ensure that the children do not play such games which will be detrimental to their upbringing. (Aapke Masaail aur Unkaa Hal, Vol. 7, Page 336)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Ebrahim bin Zainul Abedeen Backus
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
06 April 2004
15 Safar 1425