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Fatwa CenterRuling on using the ASMR relaxation technique
Question
Asslamu Alaykum Wa Rahamtu Allah Wa Barakatuh. Jazakum Allah khairan for this site and for you efforts in answering our questions. My question may be the first to see about this subject. So there is something called ASMR -Autonomous sensory meridian response- which is a feeling of relaxation that very few people get when listening to certain sounds and basically some people put videos of these sounds for people that have it to listen to when feeling stressed or depressed... Is it permissible to listen to these videos. Knowing that Asmr is just a relaxation feeling and it's not sexual at all. I know my question may be silly but I try to know the ruling of anything before acting. Thank you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Firstly, there has been much talk recently over the Internet and other social networks about such practices. It cannot be denied that the person may be moved or relaxed upon hearing certain sounds. There is no objection to that as long as those sounds do not involve what is deemed prohibited by the Sharee‘ah such as music or other forbidden sounds, like a man listening to the soft seductive voice of a non-Mahram woman. In addition, it should be noted that some of these relaxation programs may include some pagan rituals.
We believe that people’s heedlessness of their Lord, of His remembrance, and of the Hereafter is one of the main reasons for worries, distress, and grief. If people turned to their Lord and remembered Him more often, they would find immunity to worries, distress, and grief. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means):
• {Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allaah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allaah hearts are assured."} [Quran 13:28]
• {And if there should come to you guidance from Me - then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter].* And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."} [Quran 20:123-124]
This is perhaps the hidden reason why early Muslim generations savored genuine bliss and were in no need of such (relaxation) rituals and techniques.
For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 88269.
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