TELEVISION AND VIDEO

Q: Referring to a question asked in your newspaper Al Haadi, Vol. 1 No. 4, Friday, January 29, 1988, regarding whether it is Haraam to eat at the house of a person who owns a video store, your answer was "yes!"

My husband was unaware of this fact, and we live off an income from a video store. What should we do? Should we close the video store or continue accepting the Haraam money since we have no other means of livelihood?

A: Before addressing your question directly, it would be beneficial to understand the consequences of consuming forbidden (Haraam) things.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said that the one who consumes Haraam food will not enter Paradise. According to another Hadith, the Du'a (supplication) of a person whose food and dress are Haraam will not be accepted. Allah Ta'ala has provided us with many halaal means to earn our living. It is we who make life difficult for ourselves. However, if we wish to lead a simple life, it will be very easy for us to find a means of livelihood that enables us to live accordingly. All we need is a little courage.

According to a Hadith in Bukhari, a person came to Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallaahu anhuma) and informed him that he earned his living by making tasweer (engraving). Hadhrat 'Abdullah (Radiyallaahu anhu) cited the following Hadith:"Whoever makes tasweer (drawings and engravings of animated objects) will be punished by Allah Ta'ala until he succeeds in giving life to these pictures, and he will never succeed in giving life to them."Thereupon, Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallaahu anhuma) commanded him to cease the profession he was practising.

It is also important to mention that in Islam, there is a provision known as "The Law of Necessity." According to Quranic law, if a person has no other food or drink, and their life is at risk, they are allowed to consume Haraam items such as pork, alcoholic beverages, or dead animals. However, it is crucial to note that this concession should not be abused, as any excess beyond necessity is forbidden.

In light of all this, you can already form an idea of Islam's position on your situation. Even if it were permissible for you to engage in the business of renting video cassettes, you would not be permitted to use more than what is absolutely necessary for your livelihood. Here, it is important to understand what "necessity" means. For example, you would not be allowed to consume meat or fish if inferior, cheaper foods are sufficient to sustain you. In other words, if the Shariah allows the consumption of Haraam items in the case of necessity, it is Haraam to consume more than what is necessary.

However, I do not believe that you are in such a critical situation. There are many halaal means by which you can earn your livelihood. If necessary, you can even seek assistance from your parents, friends, neighbours, or voluntary associations, which, Alhamdu lillaah, abound in almost all neighbourhoods.

By the grace of Allah Ta'ala, you have not yet reached this point, and may Allah Ta'ala protect us all. It is therefore out of the question for you to continue operating your video cassette business. An alternative must exist, especially in the current context.

[English version of "‎ Revenu d'un vidéo club" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 9]