Watching videos on YouTube

Q: I read one of your fatwas entitled “Nose surgery to straighten one's nose” where someone asked a question mentioning watching a YouTube video of some Shaikh. As you replied to the answer, you also added that “ Viewing YouTube videos is impermissible. If you had viewed it, then you should make taubah and refrain from repeating this sin in the future”.

I have a small question, rather request a clarification whether it is a sin viewing any video (including of Ulama) or particularly those illicit immoral videos.

A: Pictures of all animate objects have been declared haraam and forbidden in shariah. The hadith has sounded severe warnings for those who get involved in these types of grave sins. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Those involved in picture-making will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the day of Qiyaamah."

Hence, if the video contains pictures of animate objects, then through viewing them, one will enter under the purview of this Hadith. Further, if the video contains immoral and despicable scenes, it will be even worse and it will compound the sin.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)