Question:

Assalaamu ‘alaikum

Respected ‘Ulama

I was wondering, what are the spiritual and worldly harms of showing children/teens cartoons and movies etc.? Children watch cartoons such as Arthur and Wild Kratts on a daily basis, and movies such as Avengers once a week. What are the spiritual and worldly risks of these, and what are the rulings on both types of entertainment i.e. cartoons and movies?

Is it true that jinns can reside in these devices and in the movie characters and cause harm to the watchers?

Jazakallah

Answer:

Bismihi Ta‘ala

Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh

Respected Sister in Islam

1. It is impermissible to watch such cartoons and movies. Over and above the impermissible pictures of people and animate objects, they contain music and many other impermissible elements. Furthermore, there is no doubt that the contents and themes portrayed in these cartoons and movies are extremely harmful and detrimental to one’s imaan and Islamic identity. Often, the harms are very subtle and the full impact is not realized – until it is too late. Movies and cartoons completely change the thinking of a person. Many researchers have documented that cartoons and movies today are designed to impart and promote haraam, anti-Islamic values such as LGBTQ, zina, oppression and violence, wine, drugs, gambling, nudity, and a host of other illicit activities and shameless actions. In many cases, even Satanism is promoted through these media. What will be the result of one’s imaan when he is exposed to such impermissible, poisonous content, multiple times a week? Therefore, neither children nor adults should watch any cartoons or movies.  

2. We are not aware if jinns can reside therein. However, the angels flee from places where pictures of animate objects are displayed, which is a constant factor in movies and cartoons. Also, the shayaateen flock to places where any wrongs take place. When a person’s home is devoid of angels and frequented by the shayaateen, then it is likely that one will be harassed and troubled by jinn and shayaateen. Furthermore, the content of movies and cartoons often sows the seeds for mental and psychological problems which sometimes cannot be reversed. (Read this article for more details in this regard).

Answered by:

Uswatul Muslimah Panel of ‘Ulama