Representing the Companions in acting roles | Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

1,327 views·Aug 7, 2012

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan was asked on Wednesday 4 july 2012 (14 Sha´baan 1443) about the issue of ´Umar being represented in an acting role on television. He answered: O brother, representing the Companions and especially the Rightly Guides Khalifs (in acting roles), is forbidden and not allowed. There is a total prohibition and it's not allowed and the one that gives a fatwa stating it is permissible, is wrong. Because this is disrespecting the Companions. And the one that acts the role of ´Umar, Abu Bakr or any other Companion, lies about the Companions. It may be that this person, that acts this role or represents them, is a sinner. And then he says: "This is ´Umar", "This is Abu Bakr", "This is so-and-so". This is disrespecting the Companions and not allowed. It is obligatory that we respect (the Companions) and (believe) that they have a lofty position that an actor will never reach or come close to. So this is not allowed. And to perform this in Ramadaan is even worse. Because Ramadaan is a blessed time and a time for worshipping, fasting and praying. People busying themselves in Ramadaan with plays, even if there is nothing haraam in it, comedies, stories and competitions, all of this is not allowed. Because it keeps the people from worshipping (Allaah) and it keeps them from praying the nightprayer and Taraweeh. So this is not allowed. The muslims may not be occupied so that they can not benefit from Ramadaan. But the Shaytaan mobilizes his soldiers to keep the people from achieving the favors and the goodnesses of Ramadaan. He keeps them busy with nonsense, distractions, (tv-)series and that which has no benefit in it, but harms them. So it is obligatory on the Muslims to purify the month of Ramadaan from this nonsense. They have to be empty (available) to worship (Allaah), they have to be encouraged to this and to be reminded of Allaah, instead of withholding them by way of these distractions. This is violating the month of Ramadaan and its sanctity. So it not suitable for the radio or television, owned by the muslims, to show these plays. The prohibition on representing the Companions in acting roles, verdicts have been issued about this by the Fiqh Academies and the Council of Senior Scholars. So this act is not allowed. Source: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=130809