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Fatwa CenterHow to Stop a Muslim from Watching Movies of Bad Influence
Question
If an ignorant Muslim brother is watching Hindu or English movies that have music women not dress properly, much Kufr and many things against Islam, how should I stop it? Do I have to use my hand, fist or tongue or heart? If it is hand, how can I use my hand to stop it? Can I break the tapes or video player or T.V secretly so he wouldn't know it's done by me? If I or his parents advice him to practice according to our religion (Islam) and if he doesn't act what should I do to stop it? This effect to my family (4 years old daughter and my wife) whom I am trying to tell to practice true Islam according to Qur'an and Sunnah and watching these movies are wrong. They don't have a strong faith yet. May Allah guide them to the straight path? Could you tell me what to do in a situation like this?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Watching films that contain prohibited actions is forbidden. So, in this situation, you have to do your duty concerning enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil with your hand; if you cannot do that, then with your tongue; if you cannot, then you should abhor the evil action in your heart. Furthermore, you have to do according to the above-stated order: start with tongue, hand, etc.
Know that damaging such films depends on the ruling that states: The duty of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil should not result in a major abominable action, or ever giving rise to another vice. In other words, if such a work is replaced by another ignoble action, similar or greater, then it is impermissible to spoil such films. For example, one may – in such a state – buy more and worse. Here, it is better to resort to advice with kindness and wisdom, since removing the love of such films by force will be fruitless, let alone giving rise to another vice. If you can spoil them in secret, without the possibility of giving rise to another vice, then it will be good.
As for your wife and children, it is your duty to do every possible means to keep their religion in a safe state and to prevent them from entering Hellfire, since you are responsible for them on the Day of Judgment. Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.} [Quran 66:6]
So, you are to stop giving them money that may help them in disobedience, since you will be held responsible for your wealth: the manner that you gained it and where you spent it.
Know that your children will be opponents to you on the Day of Reckoning if you don't guide and direct them towards the true religion and don’t help them in this regard.
Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them.} [Quran 64:14]
Thus, you are to prevent your children from watching such films. In addition, you have to force your brother – if he refuses to accept your advice – to watch such films in his private room.
Allah knows best.
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