Religious requirements for using computer games

10-5-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

A while ago I convinced my mom to buy us a play station (Video game console), and she bought it because I wanted it. But recently my brother has been playing games on it, but these games are violent and may not be appropriate for Islam and he doesn't listen to me. Do I get his wear every time he plays or his friends play, because I bought it, even though this was not my intention? Because there are also good games. Please answer me, urgently.

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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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

Entertainment and amusement are permitted in Islam provided the religious requirement are met; for instance these games should not preoccupy one from the mention of Allaah, or from the prayer, or any other obligation, and they should not contain forbidden things like forbidden pictures, or are accompanied with music, or gambling, and they should not encourage evil or any act of deviation, and other prohibited things. There is no harm if these games include fighting or wrestling provided the above requirements are met.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 83778 and 86146.

So, if you and your brother use this game fulfilling the above requirements, then there is no harm on you. Besides, you are not sinful if your brother uses it in what is forbidden, rather he is the one who is sinful as long as you are not pleased with it and you are unable to prevent him from doing so. Allaah Says (what means): {And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls [another] to [carry some of] its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he should be a close relative.}[Quran 35:18]. However, you are obliged to advise him.

Allaah Knows best.