Question # 047
Salamz, My parents pray salaah alhamdulillah and follow the rest of the pillars of islam but they watch TV as past time. I am having a tough time trying to build the courage to tell them to stop as I myself watch but rarely. But because of their age and low imaan i feel that because they are elder they should be more serious. Would it still be possible to go to jannah without reckoning even if they watched TV till the end of their time? I know allah is the most forgiving but how big of a sin would this be considered?
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
May Allah (swt) reward you for your concern.
Watching such programs /videos is a sin (example, nudity, non mahrams etc). Therefore, to the best of your ability, try to explain to your parents respectfully (with adab) about the negative effects of watching television, and wasting time.
Encourage them to seek forgiveness from Allah.
It was narrated from Abu ‘Ubadah bin ‘Abdullah, that his father said:
عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ : " التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لاَ ذَنْبَ لَهُ " .
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.’” (Ibn Majah)
If your parents are retired, try to involve them in good works to help them spend their time more appropriately. If possible, encourage them to connect with their local masjid, and their local Imam. Encourage them to partake in Islamic programs, and events. Give your parents other replacements, such as Islamic books, or giving them access to Islamic speeches (bayaans).
However, in all situations, ensure that respect is not compromised, and parents are explained to in a proper, and decent manner.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Regards,
Student - Jamiah Islamiyah Abu Bakr
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Kasim Ingar
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