Making funny videos

Q: I wanted to ask about what is the ruling on making funny videos using Islamic elements in it? I saw a video where a man asked two guys that what is their name. So the first guy answered that his name is Yunus. So the questioner said if you can recite the Surah Yunus then I will give you 100 dollars. The first guy failed to recite the Surah. When the questioner asked the second guy that what is his name. He said, my name is Kawthar and started smiling weirdly. It is like he lied about his name and chose the name of an easy Surah so he can get the money. 

So I wanted to know is it permissible to make such funny videos using Islamic elements? And what is the ruling on laughing at such videos?

A: Pictures of all animate objects are declared forbidden and haraam in Islam. Severe warnings have been sounded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith for the one who has any involvement in this grave sin. Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: 

عن عبد الله قال سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول إن أشد الناس عذابا عند الله يوم القيامة المصورون (بخاري 2/880) 

“Undoubtedly, the people subject to the worst forms of punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah are those involved in picture-making.”

Hence, if the videos which are produced have pictures of animate objects or any other haraam elements e.g. music, intermingling of sexes, obscenity, then it is haraam for one to make, sell, buy or even to view these videos. Apart from this, if the videos contain any deeni content which is prepared as entertainment for people to view and amuse themselves, then this is extremely detrimental and serious. 

Apart from being haraam, it also borders on kufr (blasphemy), as deen is being made a subject of laughter and amusement. Through viewing these types of videos, there is great fear of one losing his imaan through laughing at some aspect of deen. 

Our deen is too precious to be made an article of entertainment and amusement. Therefore, a Muslim should be cautious in this regard and avoid risking his imaan and deen through getting involved in these grave sins.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)