Each individuals have a different choice and preference what include as entertainment for them. But generally entertainment is a form activities that make us happy of feeling fun and enjoyment.
Entertainment will give us as human being a pleasure and its form will be various depend or what the person likes. Majority it can be a form in music, drama, hobbies, television, festival, games and other performances. Read also : prohibition of drawing in Islam
Basically how people see entertainment will be vary depend on their interest in something. Some people think that sport is a part of entertainment and some others believe that contemplation, reading a book, playing with their family, or just laying in silence as an entertainment.
Especially for someone who already work full for a day, a piece of an hour rest is entertainment for Him. Since there is no boundaries from the word entertainment itself.
Entertainment According to Islamic View
“But when they saw a transaction or a diversion, (O Muhammad), they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, ‘What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allah is the best of providers.” (QS. Al-Jumu’ah : 11)
The word diversion above believed has the same meaning of entertainment or an activity that could estrange us from worship. Since the meaning of muslims to be living in this world is seek for the blessed of Allah SWT, worship Him, do His command and imitate the act of His Prophet and Apostle. As stated in the following verse:
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind exept to worship Me.” (QS. Adh-Dhariyat : 56)
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Therefore the main thing that muslims should do is worship and performing good deed. Muslims must avoid any kind of activities that only bring them to disobedience, harmness, wasteful, and kept them away from the rule of Islam.
“Than (has been commanded), and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah – it is best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement. Inclining (only) to Allah, not associating (anything) with Him. And he who associate with Allah – it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or the wind carried him down into a remote place.” (QS. Al-Haj : 30-31)
The above verse explained that idolize a human or adoring something to much other than Allah SWT is prohibited in Islam. Especially if muslims equalize or identify it with Allah or His Massenger. Read also : prohibition of intoxicants in Islam
Nowadays the practice of idolizing a celebrity is very common even getting worse, people willing to do everything for their idol. This practice is not allowed in Islamic though, that will lead muslims in to the time of ignorance.
“And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead (others) from the way of Allah without knowledge and who take it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.” (QS. Luqman : 6)
A Concept of Entertainment In Islam
Even as explained before that Allah SWT prohibited us on doing useless thing, it does not mean that we as muslim can not having fun and feel enjoyment. Entertainment still allowed in Islam as long as it done with full of moderation and muslims must clear the intention of entertainment for example just for release our stress after a work in day. And there are some notes that must be remembered by Muslims as follow:
1. The intention of doing entertainment
For muslims entertainment is not the sole goal and purpose of life but the blessing for Allah SWT did. We could perform entertainment and accept enjoyment but muslims must remember that it only a matter of dunya (temporal world) and our purpose is to get blessed and glory in akhirah (hereafter).
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2. Entertainment must differ from haram things
Muslims must be aware of any kind entertainment around them, since sometimes it could not be separated form haram matter. Such as if we like watch a football match and without us realizing we are getting involved in bet which is forbidden in Islamic law.
Therefore, entertainment in Islam should have a limitation, a thing that forbidden in Al-Qur’an must be abandoned by muslims. Read also : benefits of being Islam
3. Muslims should not be consumed by Entertainment
Once people like on something the greedy side of mankind will arise it is a basic nature of mankind. Rasulullah SAW said in the following hadith,
“If the son of Adam had a valley of date palms, he would wish for another like it, then another and another, until he wished to have many valleys. Nothing his belly but the dust of the grave.” (Narrated by Ahmad)
For example of this hadith is when someone already bought a television or game there must be a will to buy more, a bigger, a better that the one owned by them. Or example if we have a hobby in sport as our entertainment we must trying to fufill the need on doing those sport such as shoes, bag, watch, and other supporting device. Read also : blessing virtues of rain in Islam
Abdullah ibn Amr said that Rasulullah delivered a sermon, saying the following hadith:
“Beware of greed, for it was only greed that destroyed those who came before you. It commanded them to be miserly and they did so. It commanded them to sever their family ties and they did so. It commanded them to behave wickedly and they did so.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud)
Indeed from the above hadith that greed is harmful, thus entertainment if we are not wise enough in responding it, that it will lurk us into greediness. As muslims we must know when to stop and set a limitation on how to consume entertainment, prayer and worship must be our priority to spend our time. [AdSense-C]
4. Better Find an Entertainment Recommended by Rasulullah
Rasulullah said that there are three recreational things that recommended by him which are archery, horseback riding, swimming and wrestling. But from imam Al-Gazhali he said that,
“Just because these few are mentioned in one hadith does not necessarily mean that others form are all haram because there are many other narrations that Rasulullah and the companion entertained themselves in others ways that not mentioned in this hadith.”
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5. A Good Entertainment According to Islam
Even there is a issue about the halal and haram of entertainment, but till now there is no strickly rule that proven it as haram nor halal. But as long as entertainment could fulfill the following requirements:
- Our time won’t be consume too much by entertainment, there must be a time limitation of when we consume it in a day since Allah SWT hate His people if they waste their time
- Entertainment must exclude the harama element in their containt.
- If it is a visual performance than highly recommend to use a proper clothes and accessories and close the intimate parts (aurat)
- Separate men and women who are not mahram
- Exclude it contains and place from haram thing
- The purpose of entertainment should be for good and it would be better if containts praise for Allah SWT
- Entertainment made to give a relaxation and fun for us in our free time then it should not consume our wealth or resources
And those are the concept of entertainment in Islam, as a good Muslims we should obey Allah SWT and His Prophet, do what the most fit with their command and moreover avoid disobedience. Thanks for reading.