Q: Some scholars say it is not permissible to make Islamic videos or take videos, but viewing it is permissible because Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) looked at idols, therefore it is permissible to view!
A: Just as producing videos is impermissible in Islam, viewing them is also impermissible. The one who is viewing these videos is in reality condoning and endorsing the sin of picture making. Hence, he will also be sinful in the court of Allah Ta’aala. Hadhrat Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah when he had seen the idols and statues of Hadhrat Ebrahim (Alayhis Salaam) and Hadhrat Ismail (Alayhis Salaam), he immediately destroyed it and cursed those who were involved in their making. Hence when we find any videos, we should also destroy them in emulation of the action of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال دخلنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مكة وفي البيت وحول الكعبة ثلاثمئة وستون صنما تعبد من دون الله فأمر بها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأكبت على وجهها ثم قال جاء الحق وزهق الباطل إن الباطل كان زهوقا ثم دخل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم البيت فصلى فيه ركعتين فرأى فيه تمثال إبراهيم وإسماعيل وإسحاق وقد جعلوا في يد إبراهيم الأزلام يستقسم بها فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قاتلهم الله ما كان إبراهيم يستقسم بالأزلام ثم دعا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بزعفران فلطخه بتلك التماثيل (اتحاف السادة المهرة 7/39)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)