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Is it permissible to produce a film about Hajj and screen it in cinemas? The benefits of the film are: (1) people are encouraged to perform Hajj and (2) the method of performing Hajj is learnt, making it easier for people to perform their Hajj, etc. PDF Print E-mail

Producing a Film on Hajj

Q: Ilm-24: Is it permissible to produce a film about Hajj and screen it in cinemas? The benefits of the film are: (1) people are encouraged to perform Hajj and (2) the method of performing Hajj is learnt, making it easier for people to perform their Hajj, etc.

Answer: It is not permissible and in fact Haraam to produce a film about Hajj which portrays the" images of so many living beings. It is also sinful to screen it in cinemas as a form of entertainment and to generate revenue from it. This is tantamount to desecrating acts of Ibaadah, the hallmarks of Islaam, the rites of Hajj, recitation of the Qur'aan and so many other aspects of Islaam. Allaah says, "Whoever respects the things that Allaah has made sacred, then this (respect) is be best for him with his Rabb" Allaah also says: "Whoever respects the things that Allaah has made sacred, then this (respect) is becsuse of the Taqwa of hearts."

Jurists write that it is not permissible for a shopkeeper to recite Tasbeeh or Durood and then blow on the customer to make the goods appealing to him because this is disrespectful to the Dhikr of Allaah. The disrespect is because the motive is to earn something of this world rather than rewards from Allaah. Reciting the Qur'aan and making du'aa in cinemas and for entertainment will have the same ruling as this. Allaah says: "They question you about (the permissibility of) liquor and gambling. Say, "In both is great sin (because of their ill effects) and some benefits for man; but the sin is far greater than their usefulness."

The ruling stated in the books of jurisprudence is famous that staying away from harm is better than attaining some benefit. Hakeemul ummah Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi RAH. gives an excellent example of a person who arranges a dance and then says, Although dancing is Haraam in itself. I am merely arranging the dance so that I say get the people together and then use my influence on them to get them to perform their salaah. They will then soon get into the habit of performing their salaah." Now although the purpose seems good, there are too many evils associated with the event, which will outlaw the event.

Our peeraane peer Hadhrat Abdul Qaadir Jaylaani RAH. said:

1. It is wrong for a person to claim that he is encouraged to remember Allaah by listening to music because Rasulullaah SAW. did not differentiate between one type of music and another when declaring music to be Haraam

2. If such excuses were acceptable, it would then be permissible for any group to listen to their music merely by claiming that it is not a Bid'ah

3. It would then also be permissible for a person to consume wine on the pretext that it does not intoxicate him and helps him stay away from many other Haraam acts.

4. It is also not at all permissible for a person to look at strange women on the pretext that looking at their beauty and sitting alone with them helps him take lessons (and appreciate Allaah's creatve powers). It is in fact Waajib (compulsory) for him to refrain from this because using a Haraam act to take advice is worse than doing Haraam.

The gist of it all is that it is not permissible produce a Hajj film, to see it, to screen it or to assist in its production in any way. Allaah says, And do not assist each other in sin and rebellion. Fear Allaah-because Allaah punishes severely.

As for the benefits of such a film, take note that there is no shortage of other means and methods of achieving the same. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.1

 
 

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