Letter from an Aalim of SA who now lives in Madina - response to "Islamic" TV

[e-student]

here is Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani db(muhtamim of darul ulum deoband)talks to TwoCircles.net
while fatwa of deoband we all read,so whats u say?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YNCQV6D-Ec

[Abu Suliman]

Assalamu alaykum,

May Allah reward Mawlana Ayyub Jeena Sahib for his piece. His deep pain on the condition of the umma is something for all to reflect upon. Fa jazahullahu khayran

However, I would like to mention a few points from the other side of the argument, which are just as pertinent and important to contemplate.

1. Whilst a great number of our senior ulama are still opposed to the opening of Islamic TV channels, and rightfully so, there are many eminent ulama who are now calling for this ever-expanding vacuum to be filled by people of our own manhaj and ideology. These are not juveniles like myself, but senior akabir ulama. Mufti Ashiq Ilahi Sahib rahimahullah said that no mufti of today can match our akabir; there's no disagreement with that. However, Mufti Sahib rahimahullah was in a position to say that, as he was of a different calibre and belonged to what we can perhaps refer to as the transition stage between the akabir and the asaghir. On the other hand, we are very far from that level and the living ulama of our times are our akabir. On the demise of Hadhrat Mawlana Ilyas Sahib rahimahullah, people began comparing Hadhrat Mawlana Yusuf Sahib rahimahullah to his father and commenting that he can never replace or be like his father. Upon this situation, Hadhrat Shaykh rahimahullah said that a time will come when people will look towards the successors of Hadhrat Mawlana Yusuf rahimahullah and make the same remarks. Value what you have, as they are the Junaids and Abdul Qadirs of your era (this is the gist of what he said).

Bearing this in mind, the likes of Hadhrat Mawlanas Asad Madni, Mufti Rafi Usmani, Shaykh Yunus Jonpuri, Mawlana Zahid Rashidi, Mufti Farooq Meeruthi, Shaykh Yunus Jonpuri and other senior ulama have all expressed the importance of establishing an Islamic TV channel - some of the above have gone to the extent of saying that we may be questioned on the Day of Judgment if we do not respond to this pressing need of our times. Add to the list the many ulama whose bayans are clearly video recorded (I'm not referring to a shaky mobile phone recording by a layman in the front saffs): Mawlana Arshad Madni, Mufti Taqi Usmani, Mawlana Pir Saifullah Khalid, Shaykh Abdul Hafeez Makki, Mawlana Tariq Jameel, Mawlana Fazlur Raheem, Allama Khalid Mahmood, Shaykh Abdur Raheem Sahib etc. All these ulama - according to TheMajlis - are evil ulama, insane and worse than devils - wa'l iyaadhu billah.

2. The truth of the matter is that TV is the least of our worries in comparison to the tidal wave of the internet, smartphones, iPads etc. which have taken the media to a totally different dimension. The majority of people illa masha Allah have TVs in their homes - that's the undeniable truth. The few who don't are still accessing the same poison on the internet and smartphones, so there's no escaping the problem. This in itself is not a reason to declare Islamic TV channels to be permissible and, likewise, this is not just about trying to blindly compete with others who have established channels. The problem is much deeper than that....

To my knowledge, there are three Shia channels, some of which openly abuse the Shaykhayn (radhiallahu anhuma). A whole array of Barelwi channels are propagating their innovations and false beliefs, some of them doing what they do best and calling Deobandis kafir on air. MTA has always been spreading its Ahmadi propaganda. And then we have no shortage of juhhaal answering each and every question posed to them on Q & A programmes, even if they may not be sure of the answer.

This fitna can only be combatted adequately if we adopt the same means. On the importance of an Islamic TV channel, I remember Shaykh Yunus Sahib daamat baraktuhum saying, "If falsehood is coming on the main route (shahe raah), it is not enough to fight it on the side, but rather it needs to be opposed through the same means."

I'll end on two clips (video clips unfortunately!!) which address this issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dAjeStR0BM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l6RLtDw66s Mufti Rafi Sahib explains towards the beginning of his speech...


May Allah guide us all to the truth and protect our iman. Amin.

Wassalam.

Very well said Mufti sahib, it is very sad to see that ulema use language which is very degrading and harsh towards fellow ulema because they disagree with them on something.
Where is akhlaq and comapassion towards each other even in disagreement?

[UmHasan]

2. The truth of the matter is that TV is the least of our worries in comparison to the tidal wave of the internet, smartphones, iPads etc. which have taken the media to a totally different dimension. The majority of people illa masha Allah have TVs in their homes - that's the undeniable truth. The few who don't are still accessing the same poison on the internet and smartphones, so there's no escaping the problem. This in itself is not a reason to declare Islamic TV channels to be permissible and, likewise, this is not just about trying to blindly compete with others who have established channels. The problem is much deeper than that....

This is very true. We need to use the technology available to us to promote Islamic thought and practice to a wider audience. I look at all my young cousins, their friends, all the young girls attending madrasah- the only way they really pay attention to what you have to say is if they hear you through one of the mediums mentioned above. There are many women who come to study in madrasah in addition to the parents of children, who ask questions on Islam starting off with the same sentence: 'I heard a shaykh on Islam channel say this...' These are people who initially had no inclination to listen to a shaykh speak about anything whatsoever, but are now interested enough to be asking questions and discussing what they heard on TV and youtube videos.

The ulamah need to reassess how they can use this resource to the best of their ability to further the cause of Islam. Whilst I am in no way saying we should all support Islamic television or indeed accept it's permissibility, we, the laymen, need to acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion regarding videos and DVDs and there are fatwas that declare that it is permissible, although undesirable, for a woman to see the image of a scholar if there is no fitna or desire. On these premises, we should allow the ulamah to settle on a conclusion on this amongst themselves or accept that there is a difference of opinion without the layman resorting to condemnation of those with an opposing view.

[Taliban1]

so....whats the difference between youtube and tv?

I attest to what Maulana has said in his letter as I was born in Saudi Arabia and currently living in Madinah Munawwarah. When Ulama start coming on TV, it changes the whole society. The situation is very bad in Saudia. You just need to visit their homes to know this. In our Pakistani society, it is unthinkable that an Alim have TV at home and his wife and daughters watch tv all day! But here in Saudia, its very difficult to find an Alim who doesn't have TV at home. This has changed the whole mentality of the society. They watch dramas all day when the Shaikh is not at home. They watch movies all day. And nobody thinks its bad.

I was in Makkah 2 months ago and there was a TV in our room. I switched in on to see Makkah channel and find out if Mataf is crowded or not. The channel that came on was some movie channel in arabic and the ad was "SHAHRUKH KHAN WEEK"!!! Can you imagine Shahrukh Khan week in Saudia? It doesn't even happen in Pakistan! Shahrukh Khan doesnt make arabic movies.

The thing is when Ulama start coming on TV, the "burai" of TV is removed from the hearts and it becomes normal. You don't even realize what you are doing is wrong! Those who come on TV are also Ulama so we can't say its haram.

Khair, the question is whats the difference between youtube and tv?

The Difference is that youtube can't make each and every bride in the country wear White christian dress in their weddings and TV has done just that. You just need to see the dressing of saudi women and you will get an idea what TV has done.

TV makes strange things acceptable in a society whereas youtube can't. And it's simple why it can't do it because the whole family does not sit infront of youtube and watch dramas.

[abd7861]

I attest to what Maulana has said in his letter as I was born in Saudi Arabia and currently living in Madinah Munawwarah. When Ulama start coming on TV, it changes the whole society. The situation is very bad in Saudia. You just need to visit their homes to know this. In our Pakistani society, it is unthinkable that an Alim have TV at home and his wife and daughters watch tv all day! But here in Saudia, its very difficult to find an Alim who doesn't have TV at home. This has changed the whole mentality of the society. They watch dramas all day when the Shaikh is not at home. They watch movies all day. And nobody thinks its bad.

I was in Makkah 2 months ago and there was a TV in our room. I switched in on to see Makkah channel and find out if Mataf is crowded or not. The channel that came on was some movie channel in arabic and the ad was "SHAHRUKH KHAN WEEK"!!! Can you imagine Shahrukh Khan week in Saudia? It doesn't even happen in Pakistan! Shahrukh Khan doesnt make arabic movies.

The thing is when Ulama start coming on TV, the "burai" of TV is removed from the hearts and it becomes normal. You don't even realize what you are doing is wrong! Those who come on TV are also Ulama so we can't say its haram.

Khair, the question is whats the difference between youtube and tv?

The Difference is that youtube can't make each and every bride in the country wear White christian dress in their weddings and TV has done just that. You just need to see the dressing of saudi women and you will get an idea what TV has done.

TV makes strange things acceptable in a society whereas youtube can't. And it's simple why it can't do it because the whole family does not sit infront of youtube and watch dramas.

Hadhrat

Maulana Taliban - You are back with us? I hope you and family are well by the fadhl of Allah

It is wonderful to see you posting again.

I agree with your points expressed above. Introduction of TV only opens the door of fitnah.

[Taliban1]

Hadhrat

Maulana Taliban - You are back with us? I hope you and family are well by the fadhl of Allah

It is wonderful to see you posting again.

Jee Alhamdulillah All is well here. Hope you are well too. I'm back with many conditions from above :P

Colonel goes, I come.. Colonel comes back, I go

[ummitaalib]

I agree with your points expressed above. Introduction of TV only opens the door of fitnah.

Assalaamu 'alaykum ww
The original letter written by the Shaykh from Madinah Munawwarah says it all. I too agree that it is better to close the doors of all possible fitnah rather than to open them even a tiny bit...Allaahu a'alam. Du'a is a weapon which we can use through which Allah subhaanahu wata'ala, the Most Powerful will open doors we never knew existed. As I've heard many Mashaikh say, how many of us wake up in the middle of the night and shed a tear or two for the ummah? May we get the tawfeeq to obey and turn to Him Who holds power over everything.

[bint_azam]

Assalaamu 'alaykum ww
The original letter written by the Shaykh from Madinah Munawwarah says it all. I too agree that it is better to close the doors of all possible fitnah rather than to open them even a tiny bit...Allaahu a'alam. Du'a is a weapon which we can use through which Allah subhaanahu wata'ala, the Most Powerful will open doors we never knew existed. As I've heard many Mashaikh say, how many of us wake up in the middle of the night and shed a tear or two for the ummah? May we get the tawfeeq to obey and turn to Him Who holds power over everything.

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly.
Audio has always been more than sufficient to get the information around. There is absolutely no need to see the face of the speaker to listen to them.

[jav12345]

The first point is that whether Ulama appear on television or not, people who already have TVs in their homes are going to keep them, and those who don't have TVs are not going to rush to their local electrical goods store to buy one...

Secondly, the reason why certain ulama have now reassessed the situation and passed fatwa in favour of Islamic TV channels is due to the reasons stated previously; in short, the mammoth fitna of deviant sects presenting their erroneous beliefs and practices to the simple layman. People see a beard or Islamic attire and naively accept whatever is being propagated to them.

Nobody is advocating introducing the TV into the home, and even the ulama who are in favour of Islamic TV channels mention the evil effects of TV in general.

[jav12345]

Whenever I've realized that an alim has started appearing on tv or videos, my heart has naturally felt disinclined from listening to them any longer.

That is your own personal inclination and will not reflect upon the fatwa of the ulama.