The Addictive Influence of Television

The addictive influence of TV over its viewers is a serious malady which has reached alarming proportions. Viewers become so addicted to TV that it becomes most difficult for most viewers to live without TV. Research in this field of the 'addictive influence of TV' has established that if these who are addicted to TV are deprived of television they become increasingly nervous, short-tempered and unhappy.

In an article captioned: Millions Addicted To The Box, the Eastern Province Herald of tile 23rd October, 1975, reports:

"Television's addictive grip was emphasized some months before when three socially varied 'guinea pig' families agreed to try a switch-off for a month.

The lowest income family could stand the deprivation only a week; the other two lasted for four weeks, hating every minute of it. They said they felt as if they had lost a friend, were depressed and thought their work was suffering too.

"In an earlier psychological experiment 182 West Germans volunteered to try to give up television for a year, with the inducement of payment as long as they kept off. One brave family stood the strain for nearly six months – till they wanted to watch a crime serial. The first volunteer, a bachelor; failed after three weeks. Others became increasingly nervous, short-tempered and unhappy ..."

Television diverts man's attention from the remembrance of Allah – The Prophet, may the prayers and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

''Every sport or amusement that a Muslim occupies himself with is batil (baseless, null and not permissible) - except three: (the three types beings his practicing with your bow (and arrow); his training horse and his playing with his family." (Reported by Ibn Majah. It was declared authentic by Shaykh al-Albani in Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah 2/132. no. 2267 [2811]. See also Silsilah Sahihah 1/562, no. 315)

Allah, the Most High, says in the Qur'an:

''The life of the world is nothing but a pastime and a play. The Hereafter is better for those who fear [Allah]. Have you no sense?'' (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-An’am, 6:32)

The above stated statement and verse of the Qur'an, as well as many others of the Qur'an and ahadith (statements of the final Messenger) make it quite clear that Islam does not tolerate futility, idle sport or amusement. This is so because amusement and entertainment divert one's attention from the Remembrance of Allah, the Most High. It also interferes with one's worship causing neglect of salat (in general) and the congregational prayers (particularly for the men).

Amusement and entertainment which Islam describes as Lahw, it makes a person indolent, negligent and irresponsible.

Hence, we find the Messenger of Allah may the prayers and blessings of Allah be upon him, condemning very strongly even such play as chess and backgammon, etc., in the following statement: "Whosoever plays with chess and backgammon is like one who has dyed his hands with the flesh and blood of swine." (Reported by Muslim 4/1222 no. 5612)