This question is from a classmate. He currently doesnt have net connection so he asked to me to write it for him " I dont normally watch movies or tv serials as most have sex scenes and nudity... i only watch those that dont have such stuff. I m trying my best to stay away from Pornographic videos,images and nude images. But currently you have nudity and sex almost everywhere. I normally read comic books and play a few detective type games. My question is about these. In one detective game you are a homicide detective looking into a murder of a young girl. Once you approach the scene you find the corpse of her fully nude with scars. Now in this part there isnt any erotic stuff. you just look at the body and extract a piece of metal from her wound. The question is, i normally skip through erotic scenes and scenes with nudity but in this its not possible, is this as sinful as watching shows with real women nude? I do have my desires provoked but not enough to masturbate over it. i ask cause i really have nothing much to do. I only play such games probably once in 3 or 4 months and even they contain nudity. In'sha'Allah once i m married and start a family i will stop but now i just want to knw if after staying away from all that am i still sinning as much as other people? "

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

What you said is true about movies and television series rarely ever being free from evil matters such as nudity and erotic words and scenes or music and singing. Viewing such films and series is forbidden. The fact that nudity is widespread does not permit watching it because such afflictions are presented to a person without him exposing himself to them nor intending to view them. So, the difference between the two cases is clear. Also, one should lower his gaze when his eyes fall upon such things as it is confirmed that Jareer ibn Abdullaah said: “I asked the Messenger of Allaah about an accidental glance, and he ordered me to look away." [Muslim]

If the movies and series do not violate the Sharee'ah – and this is very rare – then there is nothing wrong with viewing them.

With regards to video games, we have already clarified some general conditions for playing them; so please refer to Fataawa 86146 and 91906.

Viewing real nude women in person is a greater temptation than just viewing their images. However, the latter may cause more excitement and temptation, especially with modern technical methods that can control these images and enhance them. Hence, it is forbidden to view these images as well. What you mentioned about them provoking desires is the best proof of their danger, regardless whether or not they lead to masturbation. Such images are forbidden in all cases so one should be cautious.

On the other hand, you should hasten to repent for playing every game which includes something forbidden, images or elsewise, and waiting to get married is a procrastination that involves a sort of deceit. How does a person know that he will live long enough to get married?

Indeed, a person viewing movies and television series which include some sexual scenes, nudity and pornography is not equal to someone who occasionally plays video games containing some forbidden images, however both are sinful.

Finally, it is strange that a Muslim claims he does not have much to do. If he seeks to do what benefits him in his religion and worldly affairs, he will not have any time left to waste in what does not benefit him. For more beneficial information on how to spend one’s free time, please refer to Fatwa 86533.

Allaah Knows best.