Statement from the Standing Committee warning against “Star Academy” and similar shows

Praise be to Allah.

The Standing Committee has issued a statement warning against the “Star Academy” show and all such shows that are known as “reality TV”, which show the lives of people with their evil and corruption so that the Muslims can imitate them and be influenced by their evil. We will quote their statement here for the benefit of readers. 

Statement warning against the “Star Academy” show and similar shows 

The Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas has studied the questions from a number of proud Muslims concerning the program broadcast by some Arabic satellite channels which is called “Star Academy” and other similar shows. After studying the matter, the Committee thinks that these shows should be banned and it is haraam to watch them, finance them, take part in them, call them to vote or to express admiration of them, because of what these shows include of allowing forbidden things concerning which there is consensus that they are forbidden, and doing so brazenly. According to the hadeeth, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There will be among my ummah people who will regard as permissible zina (adultery), silk, alcohol and musical instruments.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari from the hadeeth of Abu Maalik al-Ash’ari (may Allaah be pleased with him). And it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “All of my ummah will be fine except those who commit sin brazenly. It is part of brazenness that a man does something at night, then in the morning when Allaah has concealed him, he says, ‘O So and so, I did such and such last night.’ His Lord concealed him all night, but in the morning he uncovered that which Allaah had concealed for him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him). What brazenness in committing haraam and immoral actions can be worse than these shows which include a number of serious evils? These include: 

1 – free mixing of the sexes. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts”

[al-Ahzaab 33:53]

According to the hadeeth, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one of you is alone with a (non mahram) woman but the Shaytaan is the third one present.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad with a saheeh isnaad from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab.  

So what about these programs, the main idea of which is mixing between the sexes and removing all barriers between them, as well as the wanton display and unveiling on the part of the women, and displaying their charms which leads to much evil? Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“… and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands …”

[al-Noor 24:31]

2 – Blatant promotion of immorality and the means that lead to it. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allaah knows and you know not”

[al-Noor 24:19]

3 – The call to remove haya’ (modesty, shyness) and gheerah (protective jealousy, pride) from the hearts of the Muslims by making them get used to seeing these shameful scenes that provoke desires and distancing them from good morals and virtue. 

According to a hadeeth, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Among the words that have come down to the people from the earlier Prophets is: If you feel no shame then do as you wish.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari from the hadeeth of Abu Mas’ood al-Badri (may Allaah be pleased with him). 

And it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Faith has seventy-odd branches, and haya’ is one of the branches of faith.” Agreed upon; from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him). 

It was also narrated that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Are you surprised at the gheerah (protective jealousy) of Sa’d? I am more jealous than he is, and Allaah is more jealous than I.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari from the hadeeth of al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah (may Allaah be pleased with him). 

It is not sufficient for you to abstain from watching these shows; you should also advise and remind those whom you know watch them or take part in them in any way, because that comes under the heading of cooperating in righteousness and piety, and forbidding one another to engage in sin and transgression. 

The Committee also calls upon the businessmen who finance these shows to fear Allaah with regard to the blessing of wealth that Allaah has bestowed upon them, and not use it for things that will adversely affect the youth of this ummah, destroy the symbols of Islam and serve the enemies of Islam, for this is a kind of ingratitude for blessings and is a cause of their loss. 

It is obvious that these kinds of shows are among the causes of disasters that strike Islam and the Muslims. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much”

[al-Shoora 42:30]

In al-Saheehayn it is narrated from the hadeeth of Zaynab (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered upon her suddenly and said: “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (There is no god but Allaah), woe to the Arabs from an evil that has drawn nigh! Today a (hole) like this was opened in the wall of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj,” and he made a circle with his thumb and forefinger. Zaynab bint Jahsh said: I said: “O Messenger of Allaah, will we be destroyed when there are righteous people among us?” He said, “Yes, if there is a great deal of evil.” 

We ask Allaah by His Most Beautiful Names and His Sublime Attributes to protect us and all the Muslims from the sources of temptation both obvious and hidden, and not to punish us for what the foolish among us do, and to show us the truth as truth and enable us to follow it, and to show us falsehood as false and enable us to avoid it. 

May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.