Q: I am a businessman from Pakistan. I was looking into a new business opportunity which is in the kids entertainment industry. I was keen to know whether this sort of business is halal or not.
Basically we are looking into opening a kids play area which will have a softplay area and will have a few games like sports e.g. rock climbing or similar games. Mainly our focus will be kids of all ages but we are expecting teenage girls and boys as well. We won't be able to segregate the play areas.
Secondly, we might also have video games which include cartoon characters and some small rides for kids which are shaped as animals or cartoon characters. I am fully aware that music is haram so we are not planning to use any kind of music in the background.
A: All forms of photography and animate objects are haraam and forbidden. Severe warnings have been sounded in the hadeeth for those who are involved in picture making. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “The people to be inflicted with the worst punishment will be the picture makers.” Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has cursed the one who receives interest, the one who gives interest, the tattooist, the tattooed and the picture maker. The hadeeth also explains that the angels of mercy do not enter a home in which there is a picture of an animate object. Hence, refrain from any activity that will entail pictures of animate objects.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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