He Said to Her: "If You do Such-and-such, You Are Forbidden (to Me)," Then She Did it Forgetfully

Question :

A man purchased a television and he said to his wife: "If you turn on the television to any program other than a religious one, then you will be forbidden to me." Then he entered and found the television showing a series and he asked her about it and she said: "I forgot to turn it off after the religious program." What is the ruling on this?

Answer:

If the situation is as mentioned, that she forgot to turn it off after the religious program, then his oath has not been broken. But his saying at the start: "If you turn on the television to any program other than a religious one, then you will be forbidden to me," is not permissible, indeed it is a transgression against the Right of Allah. Declaring forbiddance and permission is for Allah, Alone. Allah, Most High says:
"O you who believe! Make not unlawful the Tayyibat (all that is good as regards foods, things, deeds, beliefs, persons) which Allah has made lawful to you, and transgress not. Verily, Allah does not
like the transgressors."

and He says:
"O Prophet! Why do you forbid (for yourself) that which Allah has allowed to you, seeking to please your wives? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving. Most Merciful."

It is an obligation on the wife not to turn on the television except for the religious programs and to be careful to turn it off when the religious program is over. The husband must make atonement for an oath if she deliberately turned it on to view one of the program her husband wanted to prevent her from watching. This is because this saying falls under the ruling of an oath, according to the most authoritative saying of the scholars.

It is incumbent upon all Muslims not to turn on the television to watch these forbidden programs; those that include singing, music, and those reprehensible series and other things which Allah has forbidden.

And Allah is the Granter of success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 6 Pages 391-392