It is Forbidden to Watch These Serials

Question :

What is the ruling on listening to music and singing? And what is the ruling on watching serials in which women appear unveiled?

Answer:

The ruling on that is one of forbiddance and prohibition, because of the turning away from the Path of Allah which that involves, the sickness of the hearts and the occurrence of those evil deeds which Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful has forbidden. Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful says:
"And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (Al-Lahw Al- Hadith) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah, or the Verses of the Qur'an) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hellfire). And when Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to such a one, he turns away in pride, as if he heard them not as if there were deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment."

In these two Noble Verses is an indication that listening to instruments of Al-Lahw (i.e. musical instruments etc.), and singing, are causes of going astray, leading people astray, taking the Verses of Allah in jest, and turning away in arrogance from hearing the Verses of Allah. Allah has promised those who do this that they will suffer a humiliating punishment and a painful chastisement.

Most of the scholars have explained the expression Lahw al- Hadith (idle talk) in the Verse as meaning singing, musical instruments and every voice which turns people away from the Path of Allah.

It is reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari may Allah have mercy on him _ from the Prophet that he said:
"There will be among my community a people who will deem permissible Al-Hir, (the wearing of) silk (by men), alcoholic drinks and musical instruments."

Al-Hir refers to unlawful sexual intercourse. Regarding silk, it is well known that it is forbidden for men. Regarding alcohol, it is well known: It is everything which causes drunkenness and it is forbidden to all. As for musical instruments, they are the instruments of idle talk, such as the lute, the drum and the Tanbur and the like, as explained by the book An-Nihayah and Al-Qamus. The word Al-'Azf means playing such instru- ments, and Al-'Azif means the singer and the musician.

It is incumbent upon every Muslim male and female to avoid these evil things and beware of them. Similarly, watching serials which include unveiled women is forbidden because of the great danger which it entails to the viewer, including sickness of the heart and the loss of honor and self-respect. It may also lead to those things which Allah has forbidden, whether the watcher is a man or a woman. May Allah grant success to all in achieving that which pleases Him, and safety from the causes of His Wrath.