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Fatwa CenterTV programs using documentaries with music in the background
Question
I am the chairman of a non-profit trust that produces a weekly TV program on a community TV station in Auckland, New Zealand; We use documentaries of the known personality, Harun yahya, and other material. The documentaries have some music in the background. Now the question is can we continue using such programs for spreading the religion Islam in New Zealand. The programs are very good and we have been receiving good responses from many non-Muslims. is does the good end justify the means?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
First of all, we ask Allah to reward you for your zeal in spreading knowledge among the Muslim community in your country.
There is no doubt that in general, films are not free some prohibitions, like music and the like, and music is forbidden whether it is in film or not.
Therefore, we advise you to produce programes that are free from such prohibitions and show them to some trustworthy scholars or Islamic centers and foundations in your country before showing them publicly as to make sure that they are free from religious prohibitions.
As regards the documentaries that you mentioned containing music, if you control the matter, do so, if you cannot control the matter, you have to see whether it is confirmed that there is a greater benefit in showing them, the harm of containing music: If so, it is permissible for you to show them, as it is determined in the principles of Shariah that a small harm can be borne if there is a greater benefit.
This does not mean that it is allowed to apply the Machiavellian theory which says: The end justifies the means. This expression is not disciplined by the Shariah.
Lastly, you should remind the viewers of these films, either before showing those films or after showing them, that music is Haram and that you are playing the film because it is difficult to dissociate the music from it.
We remind you as well that you have to be sure that the film is free from anything that contradicts the principles and foundations of Shariah, especially the creed.
Allah knows best.
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