Recommended forms of Entertainment in Islam

If the limits mentioned in Quran and authentic Sunnah are adhered to, all other forms of entertainment would be considered halal, there are, however, some forms of entertainment that have been encouraged in Islam by the Prophet (pbuh). We should strive to use these means to entertain ourselves.

Spending time with spouse and children

There is no form of relaxation and fun more rewarding in both the worlds than that of spending time with one’s family. The Prophet’s encouragement of this can be found in many hadiths mentioning that he played, joked and raced with his wives. They would tell him stories, and he would play with the children and make them laugh. The Prophet (pbuh) was a role model as a family man. Indeed, it would take an entire book to discuss the Prophet (pbuh) as a role model within the family.

Spending time with one’s family and having fun together is a major factor in keeping the family united and close. It develops trust and love for each other and brings peace to the household. True Muslims find peace and enjoyment at home with their own families and do not need to escape from them to be entertained.

It is this family unity that has been lost in the modern age, when each member of the family lives a separate life. Sadly, although the members of a family may live under one roof, they may not even meet to share a meal together. If we are to revive the unity of our families, we must revive the concept of family time.

The following are some hadiths that shed light all the importance of and reward for spending time with one’s family:

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Any act devoid of the remembrance of Allah is void except four: shooting, training a horse, playing with one’s family and swimming.” (Recorded by 8ayhaqi and at-Tabarani with a good chain of narrators)

“A’ishah (ra) narrated that while she was on a journey with the Messenger of Allah, she had a race with the Prophet (pbuh) and won. Later, after she had gained some weight, she again had a race with him, and be won. He said: This is for that.” (A sound hadith recorded by Abu Dawood)

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “When a Muslim spends something on his family, intending to receive Allah’s reward, it is regarded as charity for him.” (Bukhari)

The time that married couples spend together also falls into this category. Besides spending time with the children, it is important that spouses spend time with each other, enjoying each other’s company and increasing their love for each other. Sex, including foreplay, is an important ingredient for a happy married life; it is also an act for which one is rewarded. One of the best forms of permissible entertainment is for spouses to enjoy each other physically. The only specific prohibitions between a husband and wife are anal sex and sex during a woman’s menstrual period and post-natal period. Anything else that spouses do to satisfy each other is permissible, but it is forbidden for the husband or the wife to discuss their sexual relations with others. The following are some important hadiths regarding spousal relationships:

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “You shall be rewarded for every deed that you perform solely for Allah’s pleasure, even if that deed is putting something in the mouth of your wife.” (Bukhari)

The Prophet (pbuh) once told a young Companion who married an older, previously-married woman: “Why haven’t you married a virgin who would have played with you, and you would have played with her?” (Bukhari)

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Every tasbeeh (saying subhan Allah (glory be to Allah)] is charity; every takbeer [saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)] is charity, every tamheed [saying alhamdulilldh (all praise is for Allab)] is charity, every tahleel [saying la ilaha illa Allah (there is no God but Allah)] is charity, enjoining what is good is charity, forbidding what is evil is charity and in your sexual act is charity. The Companions asked: Oh Messenger of Allah! How can one of us get rewarded for fulfilling his desires? The Prophet (pbuh) replied: Do you not see that you are sinning and are punished if you fulfil it in a hararn manner? Similarly, you get rewarded for fulfilling it in a halal manner.” (Muslim)

Pondering the creation of Allah

In many places in the Quran, Allah has invited us to ponder and reflect on His beautiful creation as a means of getting to know Him; increasing our love, awe and respect for Him; and increasing our faith. Pondering the creation of Allah is also one of the best ways of relaxing the mind. One truly finds peace in one’s heart when surrounded by nature.

Different recreational methods of pondering over Allah’s creation include visiting nature reserves and other places where animals are present, watching nature documentaries and taking walks on the beach or in the park. All of these are recommended ways of enjoying Allah’s creation.

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding – who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth [saying]: Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the fire.” {Qur ‘an 3: 190-191)

Physical activities

Participating in a physical sport is a recommended form of entertainment. The specific forms of sports that the Prophet (pbuh) recommended – or participated in himself – include foot races, horse races, wrestling (or any form of self-defense training), swimming and archery.

Physical sports are important to keep Muslims fit and ready to defend themselves, their families or their religion, should the need ever arise. Islam places great emphasis on maintaining the body, but one should note that moderation is important.

While Islam prohibits us from overeating, being lazy and growing fat as a result of it, it is not right for Muslims who excel at sports to force others to be like they are. Allah has created humans with different interests. Some may be interested in sports, while others may prefer books and studying, and there may be some exceptional ones who do both.

All of this is acceptable as long as people take decent care of their bodies and do not become unfit; this is the minimum that Muslims should do. More than this is recommended, of course, but a sport should not be forced on a person who is not interested in it.

This is an important point for Muslim parents to note, because it is important to take into consideration the personality and interests of each child and channel them in an appropriate direction. It can be very harmful to the children’s mindset and relationship with you if you force them into things that they are not interested in.

The following hadiths prove that physical sports are recommended:

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Any act of entertainment done by a believer is void (batil) except three: playing with one’s family, training a horse and practicing shooting.” (A reliable hadith recorded by Ahmad and at- Tirmidhi).

“A’ishah (ra) narrated that while she was on a journey with the Messenger of Allah, she had a race with him (pbuh) and won. Later, after she had gained some weight, she again had a race with him, and he won. He said: This is for that.” (A sound hadith recorded by Abu Dawood)

“The Prophet (pbuh) passed by some people of the tribe of Bani Aslam who were practicing archery. He said: 0 Bani Isma’eell Practice archery, as your father Isma’eel was a great archer. Keep on throwing arrows, and I am with Bani so-and-so. One of the parties ceased throwing. Allah’s Apostle asked: Why do you not throw? They replied: How can we throw while you are with them [that is, on their side]? Hearing that, the Prophet (pbuh) said: Throw, and I am with all of you.” (Bukhari)

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever learns archery and then gives it up is not from us.” (Muslim)

However, the ruling for watching professional sports is different, although playing sports or watching others perform them is permissible as proven by the following hadith:

A’ishah (ra) narrated: “I recall that once the Messenger of Allah screened me with his mantle, and I saw the sports of the Abyssinians. I was only a girl, and so you can well imagine how a girl of tender age is fond of watching the sport.” (Muslim)

Thus, watching a sport is permissible in itself, as long as there is nothing wrong with the content; for example, the participants of a sport should not be dressed in a haram manner.

Despite this, though, It strongly discourage watching professional sports competitions for the following reasons:

1. Wasting time: There is no doubt that fans of any professional sport waste many hours of their lives watching every match they can. This leads to their neglecting their duties to Allah and to other people. Such people often choose to watch a match over attending an Islamic programme, which is not the attitude of a believer.

2. Wasting knowledge: Sports fans tend to know the names and life stories of many players of their favorite teams, yet because of their preoccupation with this useless information – which will not even benefit them in this world, let alone the hereafter – such people tend to be ignorant of Islamic knowledge. This is completely unacceptable and hararn.

3. Hero worship: Some fans of professional sports begin to exaggerate in praising their favorite players, and they try to emulate and revere them in every way. This leads to hero worship, including having more reverence for the sports player (generally a disbeliever) than the heroes of Islam and even the Prophet (pbuh), and many sins are committed because of this. Such people would prefer to imitate their favourite sports players rather than the Prophet (pbuh), which is a great act of disrespect and could reach the levels of kufr.

Ibn al-Qayyim said: One day Shaykb al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah sanctify his soul) said to me concerning some permissible matter, “This does not befit a man who aspires to attain a high status, even though avoiding it is not a condition of salvation. The wise man will refrain from many permissible things so as to protect himself, especially if that permissible thing falls in between halal and haram.”

For these reasons, among others, Muslims are strongly discouraged from following professional sports. If one wishes to watch a sport, it should be a casual viewing, and the players should be Muslims. This is to ensure that one avoids seeing anything that is haram. We should organize our own sports tournaments, in which some youth can participate and others can watch. This way, none of the limits of the Sharia will be broken.

Beneficial books, stories, games and videos anything that benefits Muslims and brings them closer to Allah, or benefits them in an aspect of science, is recommended in Islam, as long as it is free from prohibited content. The Qur’an is full of stories that have many lessons. Allah has informed us: “There was certainly ill their stories a lesson for those of understanding …” (Qur ‘an 12: 111)

From this verse, we come to understand that the stories of Islam should to be analyzed for their lessons and not just learned for historical value. We can further deduce from this verse that any story from which a person can benefit is recommended.

Of course, priority should be given to the stories of the Qur’an and the life of the Prophet (pbuh), as well as his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the pious predecessors. However, as long as a story contains morals and lessons, we can read or listen to it and learn from it.

The same ruling applies more broadly to include any other form of media. If a game is beneficial, it should be given preference over those that just waste time. If a video is beneficial, it should be given preference over other halal videos. I n any area of entertainrnent, one should seek out and give preference to the beneficial over the futile, even if the latter is permissible.

“… So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought” (Qur ‘an 7: J 76)

In general, any game, video or story that is not beneficial and does not waste time would be permissible in itself, although it is recommended to choose that which is beneficial over it.

“And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it [meaning His way] in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.” (Qur ‘an 31: 6)

This verse has been explained by the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and later scholars to refer firstly to musical instruments and idle songs, and secondly to any idle speech that distracts people from the straight path.

Nasheeds (Islamic songs)

The music industry has gained so much popularity that an Islamic alternative is greatly needed. In fact, to face the current situation, it is recommended that Muslims produce and promote wholesome Islamic songs that spread the teachings and morals of Islam. Songs have a strong influence on people. Thus, we should be choosing songs that influence us to be better Muslims rather than listening to the evil that is promoted through popular modern songs.

Alhamdulillah, today we find the nasheed industry on the rise. Unfortunately, however, many singers are using musical instruments. We should try our best to stay away from nasheeds with music and stick to those that are definitely permissible. Children who are raised with nasheeds should be encouraged from an early age to be practicing Muslims.

Proofs for the permissibility of nasheeds and the hand-drum include the following:

“It has been narrated by’ A’ishah (ra), the wife of the Prophet, that once the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came home, and at that time, two little girls were singing songs about the battle of Su’ath. The Prophet (pbuh) lay down on the bed and turned his face away. Then Abu Bakr (ra) came and scolded her, saying: These musical instruments of Satan in the house of the Prophet of Allah! Prophet Muhammad turned to him and said: Leave them. In the words of’ A’ishah (ra):

“When Abu Bakr got busy in other matters, I told the two girls to leave, and they left. That was the day of Eid. The Abyssinians were playing in the mosque with shields and lances. Then either I asked the Messenger (pbuh), or he himself said: Do you want to have a look? I said yes, so he let me stand behind him, with my cheek against his cheek, and said: Canyon, Banu Arfidah. When I became bored, he asked: Is that enough for you? I said yes. He said: Then you may leave.” (Bukhari)

“A’ishah (ra) narrated that on the days of Mina (the 11th, 12th, and 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah), Abu Bakr (ra) came to her while two young girls were beating the duff [hand­ drum] and the Prophet (pbuh) was lying covered with his clothes. Abu Bakr scolded them, and the Prophet (pbuh) uncovered his face and said to Abu Bakr: Leave them, for these days are the days of Eid and the days of Mina.” (Bukhari)

“Ar-Rabi bint Mu’awwidh narrated: After the consummation of my marriage, the Prophet (pbuh) came and sat on my bed as far from me as you are sitting now. Our little girls started beating the tambourines and reciting lamenting verses, mourning my father who had been killed in the battle of Badr. One of them said: Among us is a Prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow. Hearing that, the Prophet (~) said: Leave this [saying] and keep on saying the verses that you had been saying before.” (Bukhari)

Dolls and toys that represent living things

Many scholars hold the view that dolls of living beings are prohibited as toys because of the general prohibition of drawing and sculpting animate objects, as narrated by ‘A’ishah (ra) in the following hadith:

“I bought a cushion that had pictures [of animals]. When Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) saw it, he stood at the door and did not enter. I noticed the sign of disapproval on his face and said: O Allah’s Apostle! I repent to Allah and His Apostle. What sin have I committed? Allah’s Apostle asked: What is this cushion? I replied: I have bought it for you so that you may sit on it and recline on it. Allah’s Apostle said: The makers of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them: Give life to what you have created [that is, these pictures]. The Prophet (pbuh) added: The angels [of mercy] do not enter a house in which there are pictures [of animals].” (Bukhari)

However, children’s toys are an exception to this ruling, as proven by the following hadith, also narrated by ‘A’ishah (ra):

“I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet (j§;), and my girlfriends also used to play with me. When Allah’s Apostle used to enter (my dwelling place], they used to hide themselves. However, the Prophet would call them to join and play with me.” (Bukhari)

“When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) arrived after the expedition to Tabook or Khaybar [the narrator is not sure which], the wind raised an end of a curtain that was hung in front of A’ishah’s storeroom, revealing some dolls which belonged to her.

He asked: What is this? She replied: My dolls.

Among them, he saw a horse with wings made of rags, and he asked:

What is this I see among them? She replied: A horse.

He asked: What is this that it has on it?

She replied: Two wings.

He asked: A horse with two wings?

She replied: Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings’? She said: Thereupon, the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) laughed so heartily that 1 could see his molar teeth.” (A reliable hadith recorded by Abu Dawood)

Narrated’ A’ishah (ra): “Allah’s messenger married me when I was seven years old. I was taken to his house as a bride when I was nine, and my dolls were with me.” When he died, she was eighteen years old. (Muslim)

A Companion, Ar-Rabi bini Mu’awwidh (ra), said: “We used to fast on that day [ashoorah] and also make the children fast. We would make toy figures out of wool for them, and if any of them cried for food, he would be given one until it was time to break the fast.”

This exception can be extended to include all forms of animation intended for children as long as the content is not hararn. Some scholars also include all forms of animation with an educational benefit, which would include children’s books with pictures and animated videos with halal content.

In this regard, Shaykh Nasiruddin al-Albani stated:

These two hadiths (the hadith of ‘Aishah’s dolls and the hadith about the Companions’ practice of giving their fasting children toy figures to distract them from their hunger) indicate the permissibility of creating images and of owning them when there is an educational benefit in doing so, one that will help in the cultivation and development of the personality. Whatever else is of benefit to the Muslims and Islam may be included in the same ruling of permissibility of picture making and use, but everything besides that remains under the basic prohibition.”

Providing alternatives

The final point to be mentioned on this topic is that it is recommended that Muslim parents, scholars and community leaders provide permissible alternatives to our children and youth to replace all that the West has produced.

Cinemas, nightclubs and other dens of vice are extremely alluring and attractive, while many Muslims have made their homes and mosques hostile to the youth. In such a situation, we should not be surprised when the youth fall into sin to entertain themselves.

It is important that we establish alternatives to entertain our youth while benefiting them and helping them grow as Muslims. Halal entertainment centers, nasheeds, Islamic videos and games should be developed for the benefit and protection of the Muslim community. We should invest great effort in producing high quality Islamic products and attractive Islamic entertainment centers to draw the youth away from the traps of Satan.

Last, but not the least, teach the youth that life is not to go about entertaining oneself, rather it is to spend time in the Worship of Allah in every possible way!