Should she translate for her mother what comes on the TV?

Praise be to Allah.

The problem is not the ruling on your mother’s translating for her mother what comes in the TV screen, rather it actually has to do with the grandmother being preoccupied with those shows when it is better for her – as she is getting on in years – to spend her time in worshipping and obeying Allaah, and striving to acquire provisions for the day when she undertakes the journey (i.e., death), and doing a lot of the means of attaining success before Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted. 

Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, as quoted by al-Qurtubi in his Tafseer (7/276): 

I met the people of knowledge in our land and they would seek worldly gain and mix with people until they reached the age of forty, then when they reached that age, they would withdraw from people. End quote. 

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has left no excuse for a man whose lifespan He expanded until he reached the age of sixty years.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6419). 

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Baari (11/240): 

“left no excuse” means He gave him plenty of opportunities, therefore he has no excuse for not doing acts of worship even though he was able because of the lifespan that was granted to him. Therefore he should do nothing but seek forgiveness, obey Allaah and turn his full attention to the Hereafter. What is meant is that Allaah did not leave him any reason or excuse. Ibn Battaal said: Sixty is mentioned here because it is very close to death and it is the age when people turn to Allaah and focus on worship and watch for death, so he should turn his full attention to the Hereafter, because it is impossible for him to go back to his former state of energy and strength. End quote.  

Our advice to you and your mother is to keep advising your grandmother to occupy herself with prayer, dhikr, reading Qur’aan and saying du’aa’, and help her to do that by all means available. You will find that this will distract her from watching the things shown on the TV which incur the wrath of Allaah and which are of no worldly or religious benefit. 

Whatever the case, it is not permissible for your mother to translate for her mother anything but that is permissible of the things that appear on the TV. As for the haraam things, such as foolish soap operas and interviews, it is not permissible for her to help her understand them, rather she should tell her not to watch them, but there is nothing wrong with her watching beneficial programs. 

We ask Allaah to grant you goodness and happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. 

For the ruling on watching TV please see the answer to question no. 3633. 

And Allaah knows best.