FATWA ON ISLAMIC BANKING AND ISLAMIC TV CHANNELS: RIGHT OR WRONG?

by M UBASHI R SHAI KH on 2008/09/07 15 COMM ENTS in CURRENT AF FAI RS , I SLAM ,RELI GI ON

Pakistan also known as Fort Of Islam has once again succeeded in keeping alive the tradition of Giving Unexpected & Strange Decisions regarding Religious Matters. The scholars of Islam have given fatwa in which Islamic banking and Islamic TV channels have been declared Haram or illegal [in Islam]. On one side some scholars are part of governing bodies of Islamic Banks and on the other side some scholars have declared it as Haram. To whom we follow in this regard, is getting difficult for us. Regarding TV channels, scholars have said that they show the pictures of scholars [Aalims] and picture taking and showing is haram in islam, I totally agree with them, but there are some rules regarding pictures, which have been made clear by Dr. Zakir Naik in his debates & lectures and Sheikh Abd al-wahhab al-turayri [former professor of al-imam university Riyadh] has also thrown some light on the rules regarding pictures in islam. I would like to quote some of the rules which they have told us in their lectures. Its written in Sahi Bhukari and Sahi Muslim [Books of Ahadees], that whoever paints or portraits the picture of any living thing [humans, animals, plants] by his hand, will be told at the day of judgment to give them life, to make them alive, and if you failed to do this, you will be punished. Those pictures which are used by childrens to play and to learn are allowed in islam, and its proof is one hadith of Sahi Muslim and Sahi Bhukari, in which Hazrat Aisha [razi allah tallah anha] says that I use to play with dolls along with my friends in front of Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], and He never stopped me. Photography [by camera] is also not prohibited in islam, because the pictures taken out from camera are not made by hand, they are the reflections which we capture on paper, if this is prohibited then why we watch in Mirror ? thats also the reflection. TV channels show

the video, and video is nothing but just the pictures which are shown in speed i.e., 24 pictures per second and it looks like live scene. Way of communication is changed now, there was a time when people use to walk from one city to other to post letters, but if we will do this thing now, well be called fool, because we have the facility of automobiles, and we should use that. Today the best way of communication is Media [TV, Radio Fm], If our adults can copy the movie actors, to whom they watch on TV, if our womens can act and deliver same dialogues which they hear and see on Star Plus Serials, this proves that TV has got power to bring change in people. So if we will show Islamic Programs, Lectures and Debates of Famous Scholars, that surely can bring a change, not to all but atleast few muslims can become Good Muslims. By the help of TV we can tell the non muslims that what exactly ISLAM is, we can portray the correct image of ISLAM, we can prove all those people wrong who are spreading the wrong information in the name of Islam. Every invention has its benefits and disadvantages, but for the sake of some disadvantages we cannot stop using that invention, especially when we are getting a huge benefit from it. Though our scholars are more educated than us but with sorry I want to say that the recent decision taken against Islamic TV Channels is wrong [In My View]. mubashirshaikh326@hotmail.com

Islamic Tv Channels Haram ?

by W AQAS on 2008/08/29 17 COM MENTS in I SLAM

I recently read an article in Jung magazine (of Pakistan) that says Television is Haram and teaching of Islam on television and the banking systems that banks of Pakistan follow are haram. I have not been in any Islamic school in Pakistan that focuses on Islam so I am not so sure how the system works. One thing I found very much out of proportion was that there was not a single reference either from the Quran or the Hadiths that prohibit it. I have heard this earlier that TV is haram. According to what I have learnt Tv is not haram and you do not need a Hadith or a Quranic verse to Prove that one can simply prove it with logic. If I have a television sitting at home that has never been turned on and is not plugged in is having that

television haram ? The other argument might be the television is not haram as long as you do not plug it in. I might agree with that logic but lets compare the situations and see what is different. When the television is powered of it has no channels but when the television is powered on, it does so the television on its own is not haram but what you watch on the television depending on what it is might be haram or halal. So the first point I would like to establish is Television is Halal depending on what you watch on it. The article states that the people who do Dawah on television or Islamic lectures are Haram because its a form of video. I do not exactly know what the references are for this or whether this was the statement because the article said its Haram. There was no logical, scientific or Islamic reasoning given. What I do know for a fact gaining knowledge for a Muslim is farz. Also the fact that Islam says to gain knowledge and tells you to preach (correct Islamic knowledge with references) . In fact that was the whole mission of the apostle, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is mentioned in Surah Nahl Chapter 16 verse 35 The worshippers of false gods say: If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped aught but Him neither we nor our fathers,- nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His. So did those who went before them. But what is the mission of apostles but to preach the Clear Message? The problem stated was that the problem is with teaching on television. The word television does not appear in the Quran nor does it appear in Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Maliks Muwatta and Sunan Abudawud. This could be explained as Television or form of videos was not invented during that time .This further gives room to ponder that Islam will only forbid something which is either harmful to health or morally wrong . Islam has everything stated very clearly and the concept of doing Dawah was the mission of the Prophet so therefore can not be false. What I fail to understand is how this concept has been derived. According to my knowledge of Islam this can not be Haram in fact doing Dawah is farz and doing Daawah to millions is better then doing in your own community to a hand full of people. Television gives a larger audience to preach . Also the constant media propaganda and open obscenity can be outnumbered by increasing the number of true Islamic channels . If there is a platform to easily spread knowledge among people I think it should be appreciated . Television and media are a means of global communications and hence there is no apparent harm in using them , provided that boundaries of ethics in Islam are followed . An example of using communication to spread Islam can be seen when Prophet wrote letters to kings in nearby Kingdoms inviting them

to Islam . This shows that Prophet too utilized the mode of communication available to spread the word of ALLAH .

For the Banking culture in Pakistan if it is Ribba Free banking according to shariah then it can not be deemed Haraam .

The Quran clearly states :

Those who eat Riba (usury) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitan (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: Trading is only like Riba (usury), whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Riba (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to judge); but whoever returns (to Riba (usury)), such are the dwellers of the Fire they will abide therein. (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #275) Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, alms, etc.) And Allah likes not the disbelievers, sinners. ( Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #276) O you who believe! Eat not Riba (usury) doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. ( Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #130) To further highlight the concept of banking in Islam , I would Inshallah do a separate post to cover the aspect INSHALLAH.