Home » Hanafi Fiqh » Askmufti.co.za » Ulama and TV

Ulama and TV

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Askmufti.co.za

Q: What is your view regarding Ulema appearing on TV? Since nothing of this nature has already been published in the Al-Farouq since this issue arose, I think it is important to provide clarity on this matter.

A: Our stance on TV has been clearly mentioned in several issues of the Al-Farouq and in so many Q and A forums on Radio and in print. There should, therefore, be no reason for any obscurity or ambiguity in this regard. For the record, viewing television in its current form is haraam, for it comprises a number of haraam factors. These are photography, music, display of nudity and intermingling of sexes, advertising of haraam products, portrayal of sexual acts, wasting away time in idle amusement and entertainment.

The decision by some Ulema to appear on TV for the purpose of da’wah has been condemned by the majority of Ulema in South Africa. We, too, are part of this majority. We do not believe that a haraam medium can be used for a halaal purpose. Islamic Da’wah functions within its own, peculiar and unique parameters. Giving da’wah or lecturing on Islam is at the most a muestahabb – an act that is meritorious and virtuous. In the course of achieving something muestahabb one is not permitted by Shariah to perpetrate something haraam. For example, the Ulema have ruled that one cannot deliberately open a banking account to earn interest, with the ultimate aim of distributing that interest to charity or utilizing the money for purposes of da’wah. Charity and da’wah are deeds of great merit, but in the process of executing such deeds we cannot commit a haraam.

Our Da’wah stands completely distinguished from the practices and methods of other religions and creeds. We cannot ALWAYS adopt the methods of the kuffar for propagation. The medium of propagation that the kuffar use, regardless of how successful, does not necessarily make it feasible or viable for Muslims.

While Ulema appearing on TV may achieve a certain degree of success in educating viewers about Islam, the disadvantage of TV becoming acceptable to the Muslim masses and palatable to people who hitherto had never watched TV outweighs the advantage.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai


This answer was collected from AskMufti.co.za, which is operated under the supervision of Mufti Siraj Desai of Darul-Uloom Abubakr, South Africa.

Read answers with similar topics: