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Name
firoz
- Canada
Profession
Question
How do you evaluate Muslims’ experiences in the entertainment field?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
I think Muslim experiences in the entertainment field are of two categories: 1) As consumers of entertainment, and 2) As producers of entertainment. As consumers, I think that we consume too much of the wrong types of entertainment. As producers, we find ourselves lagging behind the rest of the world in almost all aspects of entertainment production (creativity, professional production, mass distribution, etc.). In other words we have a great deal of work to do.
Name
Monir
- Algeria
Profession
Question
Do you think there is really an Islamic entertainment? What about dealing with non-Muslim products?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
We do have Islamic entertainment currently being produced. However, it has not yet reached a mass audience and there are significant issues related to distribution of those entertainment products.
For example, the Iqraa satellite television service that is broadcast in the Middle East, provides a broad range of programming that can be classified both as informational and/or entertaining. Thanks to ART in Egypt, many of these programs are subtitled in English. Unfortunately though, Iqraa is not mass marketed and distributed to reach mass audiences in places such as the USA.
This lack of distribution is directly linked to demand. There is no significant demand for Iqraa in the USA and therefore satellite services such as Dish Network and DirectTV simply don't carry it.
Thus we are left to pick and choose from typical western entertainment products.
Name
Sally
- United States
Profession
Question
I think there are many independent and alternative documentaries and movies that need to be supported by us, do not you see it as a solution to confront the commercial entertainment?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
Independent film and television is an excellent field for Muslims to be in right now. With the popularity of people such as Michael Moore (Fahrenheit 911, Bowling for Columbine), major entertainment companies are realizing that alternative media has a well-defined audience and that such media can be a strong source of revenue.
In my opinion, there has never been a more appropriate time for a new generation of Muslims to step to the fore with creative and engaging documentary films, alternative television programming and other alternative media.
Additionally, we have seen the rise of music subcultures in the last decade which has thrown the door of opportunity open to musicians and other artists.
Just think, a decade ago, mainstream American was calling Rap Music and Hip Hop culture just another passing fad. Now, that same culture sells K-Mart products. There's no reason why Muslims can't participate as a subset of this culture, putting out Islamic and humanistic themes for the public to consume.
Name
Muslim man
- Mexico
Profession
Question
Do you think that the mainstream entertainment is decayed structurally or can it be reformed?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
By the way, I'm so happy to have your question from Mexico. We have a growing number of Muslim converts in California from Mexican heritage, and we hope that new Muslims keep coming from this great culture.
As Muslims we never despair and we always maintain hope and faith in Allah (SWT). So my short answer is, "YES!!"
I am sure that Muslims during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked the very same question with reference to the Quraish or the Byzantines or the Romans, all of which were societies dominant to the Muslims at that time with their own unique and popular forms of entertainment.
But we must remember, that when we do our job of sharing the message of Islam with non-Muslims correctly and respectfully, the sky is the limit.
Social history is a tale of cycles. Things become popular, things then fall from public interest. Morality gives way to immorality and vice versa.
People tend to forget that the 1920s in the USA (and Europe for that matter) was a period of social excess in many respect. In the USA, it was called the "Roaring Twenties". But then came 2 world wars and period of relative moral conservatism.
I think that Western society, in particular, is about to move from one period to the next as far as entertainment is concerned. With the USA at war in the Middle East, westerners are seeking out entertainment that is more substantive (Michael Moore). Muslims need to be ready for that.
Name
Safya
- United States
Profession
Question
When shall we avoid certain kind of entertainment?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
I think your question has really struck at an important issue for Muslims, because there are many truly startling trends in entertainment media today of which Muslims should be aware.
I grew in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. Therefore I remember a time in the USA when entertainment was much more conservative. And I can tell you from experience that there are many R-Rated filmed in theaters today that would have been considered pornographic in the USA back in the 1970s. So we as Muslims in the West live in societies where the standards of morality in entertainment are constantly being relaxed.
This is also the case in the Middle East where I live and work. Ten years ago, Nancy Ajram and Tamer Hosny could not have made the types of music and videos that they do now.
But what Muslims must consider is not what was acceptable 10 year ago, but was acceptable 1425 years ago when our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions tackled the issue of how to spend their leisure time.
Name
absulsalam
- India
Profession
dentalsurgeon
Question
As-Salamu `Alaykum, is it prohibited for a Muslim to attend festivals of non Muslims like Christmas and onam (a festival of Hindus in Kerala). Is it haram for us to eat the food prepared for those celebrations? Is there any examples to quote wherein Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) attended any such celebrations and ate the food prepared for it?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
I must apologize and say that I am not an Islamic scholar, and therefore cannot give you a ruling on what is permissible and what is not regarding festivals and the like. I would encourage you to submit that question to the IslamOnline Fatwa Bank.
However, I will say the following: Festivals and other festive gatherings can be a wonderful form of entertainment if they conform to basic Islamic standards.
For instance, a few years ago, a benefit music concert was done in Los Angeles to help support Imam Jamil Al-Amin of Atlanta, who was accused of murdering and wounding two Atlanta police officers. He professed his innocence and the community rallied to support him in his legal battle.
The concert featured both Muslim and non-Muslim performers, there were also booths and vendors and other attrations. All in all, it was a positive event that put forth positive messages. Alcohol was not allowed and there was cooperation from the police and community to make sure the event was family friendly.
I think such festivals and entertainment opportunities can be a wonderful way for Muslims to enjoy themselves and to spread the message of Islam amongst non-Muslims.
Name
M
- United States
Profession
Question
As-Salamu `Alaykum, what are good halal entertainment shows within the media that you recommend for young kids to watch??
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
I think we need to be very careful with reference to our youth and young children. I know that in the Middle East there are Islamically nurturing shows for the youth (although there needs to be more). However, in the West, we need to pick and choose.
Unfortunately, there is not much on television that I would recommend. If I were pressed to make a choice from broadcast television, I would suggest tuning into PBS and their shows such as Sesame Street.
Maybe one of the best options is to support independent Muslims producers who have been creating wonderful programming for children but have not been able to get those shows on television.
One such producer is SoundVision/Astrolabe Productions. Via their website, you can purchase all sorts of age-appropriate entertainment and educational videos.
Name
Hameed
-
Profession
Question
Do we Muslims have many alternatives to "haram" entertainment that is flooding the market? I remember when we talk about, for example, Islamic movies to kids, we only have one or two options, which make the kids bored after some time. Do you have an idea on how we can check for updates?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
I feel your pain with reference to the limited selection of fully Islamic compliant entertainment out there. And it's not just an issue related to children; adults face the same problem. But there is a solution that is directly related to the title of this dialog/chat.
We must REFRAME entertainment.
What I mean by that, is that we need to reevaluate the role entertainment in each of our personal lives. We currently live in a time where much of our daily lives is directed towards either preparing for or recovering from our entertainment endeavors.
Both in the West and in the Muslim world, people are focused on what leisure time activities they plan to do on the weekend. And in my opinion, that is a very "Dunya-minded" approach to life.
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qur'an that we were not put on this Earth except to worship Him. If that is the case, then we need to seriously re-think our almost single-minded pursuit of leisure and pleasure in this world.
And we have to remember that entertainment is only as boring as we make it or as we perceive it. It's all within our power to change.
For instance, poetry used has found a new revival in the USA thanks to Poetry "Slam" sessions and Hip Hop music. Did poetry ever disappear? No. But someone came along and infused it with new life and vigor.
Muslims can do the same thing if we apply ourselves creatively in various entertainment fields. Additionally, we can also stop judging our entertainment fulfillment by Western standards.
Name
Wasim
- Canada
Profession
Accounant
Question
Entertainment is a vital element in today's world and its multi-media. However, we feel that it is being shunned by media outlets and by the more strict Islamic views on music. How do we cope with these two obstacles?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
I think that Muslims simply need to dig deeper within themselves to resurrect the creativity we were famous for in years gone by. Additionally, we have to provide more professional entertainment products and foster professional relationships within the entertainment media.
I simply don't buy the argument that Islam doesn't sell. People used to say that about conservative Christianity, but the people at the Christian Broadcast Network (spearheaded by the Rev. Pat Robertson) and the success they have had. When mainstream media did not broadcast their programs, they grew their own audience and developed new shows and websites and projects that appealed to increasingly larger groups of people. Now, CBN is a media juggernaut that has inspired spin off projects.
As a matter of fact, some of the best selling books in America today are from the "Left Behind" series of apocalyptic novels that all have overtly Christian themes.
Muslims simply need to do a better job.
As far as more strict Islamic views are concerned, it has been my understanding that music and entertainment are fine, as long as the themes are appropriate and as long as entertainment does not interfere with worship and other important aspects of Islamic life. And as long was Muslims are approaching entertainment creatively, we can meet those standards.
Name
Mona Eljammal
-
Profession
Question
In your answer to you the question about when should we avoid certain kind of entertainment, I tend to understand that only when immorality is being propagated that I should avoid. I tend to disagree with you for many reasons. I myself like to look comprehensively at issues, the purpose they are made for and the way it is produced along with the time at which it is being broadcasted. Take for example, the Passion of Christ and all that fuss that was made for it, to me this was not immoral but it was much more that and I would have appreciated that all Muslims boycotted it. In brief, political, social, economic, educational, etc. interests should be viewed as factors in the success and failure of any kind of entertainment and we Muslims should be selective.
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your feedback.
I agree with you that we must take a comprehensive view of life and entertainment. And in another answer I have posted, I have noted that it is important that entertainment not distract us from those clear parts of our Islamic life that are far more important. But entertainment does indeed play a role in life; we simply should overemphasize it.
As far as boycotting media or protesting various forms of media, that may indeed be appropriate when it is in the interest of Muslims to do so. But that has to be carefully thought out and strategically implemented, especially in the West where it may be necessary to understand the non-Muslim entertainment media in order to understand how best to bring the message of Islam to non-Muslims.
Name
Abdul-Rahim
- Somalia
Profession
Question
I just wanted to say "Salaam" to you. After all, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) aid "spread SALAAM".
Answer
Wa `alaykum As-Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
Indeed giving "Salaam" and spreading "Salaam" is important, and I think that appropriate, creative Islamic entertainment can go a long way to do just that.
Name
Rafeeq
-
Profession
Question
Is there any institution or organization in US that produces Islamic movies, nasheeds, etc.?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
As I noted in a previous response, I would suggest visiting the various Muslim websites that sell audio, video and other entertainment products. Astroblabe Productions/Soundvision is a great resource. IslamiCity.com is another place that has a large bazaar section on its website with artwork, books, videos, nasheeds and other products available. The Rumi Bookstore (http://www.rumibookstore.com/) which has some affiliation with Imam Hamza Yousef has an excellent selection of tapes and videos in addition to some very unique calligraphy (art is often overlooked in the discussion of entertainment).
Name
Abdullah
-
Profession
Question
What is the Islamic view on music? And are the Islamic songs with music halal?
Answer
As-Salamu `Alaykum and thank you for your question.
Again, I must say that I am not a scholar so I cannot give a fatwa concerning music.
For a clear and more authoritative understanding please take a look at this IOL fatwa:
With this fatwa in mind, I would say that much of what currently exists in terms of music and other entertainment is not fully Islamically appropriate. So we must strive to find those things that will be pleasing to Allah (SWT).
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank brother Ali Asadullah for speaking to Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We remind our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
