| Bismillah
Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)
Allah Ta’ala says, “And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e.music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allâh, the Verses of the Qur’ân) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire).”
(Surah Number: 31, Ayah Number: 6)
The reason for this revelation is: A Mushrik tradesman named Nadr ibn Harith, bought a singing slave girl, he then made this slave girl sing so that the people stop listening to the Quran and divert their attention to the singing of the slave girl. (narrated by Ibn Abbas in Dure Manthur)
The above Ayat mentions idle talk (Lahwal Hadith) This compound has two meaning according to the Mufassireen (commentators).
1) Music and singing. This meaning is according to Ibn Masud, Ibn Abbas and Jabir (ra) (narrated by Hakim).
2) Aam (general), in another words, any things which make a human being negligent and careless from performing any obligations like, salah etc. This meaning is according to majority of the Sahabas, Tabieen (successors) and general Mufassireen (commentators).
In a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (ra), Prophet (sallalhu alaihi wa sallam) has said,”Everything in this world is idle (Lahw) which is (Batil) false and useless, besides three things, 1) Practice throwing an arrow, 2) Practise and dicipline your horse, 3) Playing with your wife. ” (Mustadrak Al Hakim: Kitabul Jihad)
Know, that Lahw Batil (useless idle) has two stages;
1) Kufr (Disbeleif), which makes oneself astray and others astray too. Like the above mentioned Ayat.
2) Haraam (forbidden), any things which make a human being negligent and careless from performing any obligations like, salah etc. This includes computer games etc.
(Ma’ariful Hadith Vol. 7 Pg. 20-24)
Therefore, Computer games are Haraam. Apart from this there are many other reasons;
1) Any games which do not have any Deeni (relegious) and physical benefit.
2) Games having music and pictures which are prohibited in Islam.
3) Games makes one spend and waste too much time and money and effecting the performance of obligations like salaah, obedience to parents, etc.
4) The nature of the Games offered, for example, karate, shooting, killing, racing, etc. have a potential of raising one’s emotions, thus having far reaching negative consequences in many aspects of ones life. Also, having such impermissible joy and emotions is Haraam.
( Aapke Masa’il Aur Unka Hal Vol. 7 Pg. 336, 337)
Consider the following from the Encyclopedia, 1993-1997 – Microsoft Corp.
“Critics of video games contend that children spend too much time and money
on the games and that immersion in the fantasy of video games can have
adverse effects on personality maturation. There have also been reports that
the flashing graphics can trigger seizures in people who have certain types
of epilepsy.”
It is also not permissible to open a video game shop or centre. The income generated from entertainment video machines will, therefore, not be permissible.
And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK
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