Nowadays, access to the internet and immoral websites is easier than before, and this has caused some people to enter these sites out of curiosity and later regret it. As a result, we have gathered the opinions of religious authorities on this topic for you.
The Religious Ruling on Watching Immoral and Obscene Films and Images
Sexual instinct is recognized as the most powerful need and instinct in humans. The sexual need is one that must be satisfied in the proper way, similar to the need for food and water. Alongside sexual maturity, the sexual need develops in humans, and at the same time, we need laws to regulate this instinctual and natural need. Just as we must fulfill the need for food through permissible and beneficial means, the sexual instinct must also be satisfied through proper ways. Watching immoral images and films that cause arousal and are lustful is forbidden according to the opinions of all scholars and religious authorities. Can these films be watched with the intent of learning about marital intimacy? What if watching obscene films has no harmful effect on the individual? Is it allowed to watch films showing naked or semi-naked women and men with one’s spouse? These are some of the questions regarding the religious ruling on watching immoral and obscene films that may arise for many people, and in this article, we answer them based on the rulings and fatwas of religious authorities.
The Forbidden Gaze in Islam
The forbidden gaze, looking at the private parts of others, is the desire of Satan. The eye that casts impure looks at non-mahram individuals is a place of ambush for Satan. Satan targets the honor of others with the bow of one’s eyes. Therefore, the Qur'an commands maintaining public modesty for both men and women, and this act is considered necessary and obligatory. In Islam, chastity is regarded as one of the highest human values, and on the contrary, sexual promiscuity and immorality are condemned. Islam first controls and moderates sexual and lustful matters through guidance, calling Muslims to chastity and purity, and then removes the grounds for deviation with wise and principled measures. It commands its followers to refrain from immorality and asks them not to create opportunities for the slip-ups and sins of others.
Questions and Answers Regarding the Religious Rulings on Watching Obscene and Immoral Films
Question: What is the ruling on looking at the image of a non-mahram woman who is not covered?
Ayatollah Khamenei: Looking at the image of a non-mahram woman does not carry the same ruling as looking at the woman herself. Therefore, if the look is not for the sake of pleasure and there is no fear of falling into sin, and if the image does not belong to a Muslim woman whom the viewer knows, it is not problematic. However, as a precaution, one should avoid looking at images of non-mahram women shown directly on television, but in the case of indirect television broadcasting, if there is no suspicion or fear of falling into sin, looking is permissible.
Question: Is it permissible for a married person to watch lustful films?
Ayatollah Khamenei: If watching them is for the purpose of arousing sexual desire or causes such arousal, it is not permissible.
Question: Is it permissible for a husband and wife to watch sexual videos at home?
Ayatollah Khamenei: It is not permissible to arouse sexual desire through sexual videos.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: It is not permissible and usually, it has undesirable effects on their future life together.
Question: Is it permissible to watch films of sexual relations?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: Yes, watching obscene and harmful films is forbidden. This act is a form of promoting immorality, which is prohibited in the Qur'an.
Ayatollah Bahjat: Since it causes sexual arousal, it is not permissible.
Question: Is it permissible for married men to watch films that teach the correct way to approach a pregnant woman, especially if it does not lead them to commit a sin?
Ayatollah Khamenei: Watching these films, which are often accompanied by a lustful gaze, is not permissible.
Ayatollah Sistani: Looking at obscene paintings or films for the purpose of learning how to engage in sexual relations with one's spouse or to bring diversity into sexual intimacy, even if there is no lust involved, is not permissible as a necessary precaution.
Ayatollah Bahjat: Watching films of sexual relations with the bodies of naked women is not permissible, as it causes arousal.
Question: What is the ruling on watching obscene parts of films for those who censor and edit them?
Ayatollah Khamenei: Watching films for the purpose of editing and removing corrupt and misleading images is not problematic, as long as the person doing so is protected from falling into sin.
Ayatollah Bahjat: Censoring is not necessary, as they can simply avoid showing it altogether.
Question: What is the ruling on watching obscene films prescribed by a doctor?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If it is prescribed by a qualified and religious doctor as the only treatment option, it is permissible within the limits of necessity.
Question: What is the ruling on looking at pictures of non-Muslim women without a hijab, without the intention of pleasure?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If it is without the intention of pleasure and does not lead to any corrupt consequences, it is not problematic.
Question: What is the ruling on looking at pictures of naked women from the People of the Book or polytheists without lust or sexual desire, and without it being a precursor to sin?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If "naked" means they have not covered their hair, in this case, where no corruption follows, it is not problematic. However, if it means being completely naked or semi-naked, it is not permissible.
Question: What is the ruling on looking at the body parts of a non-Dhimmī female kafir (infidel)?
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: Looking at body parts that are commonly uncovered according to their customs, without the intention of pleasure, is not problematic.
