I have a thirteen-year-old daughter, and I would like to make her abide by the teachings of religion, and although she has the desire for that, she, meanwhile, likes to listen to songs and watch series. Should I prevent her once and for all, or is there no harm in that? In fact, I am afraid that she might have an aversion to the religion because of the pressure on her. Would that you guide me to the best way to deal with her. May Allaah Reward you.

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

No doubt, the songs and series on the mass media these days have grave harmful effects on the children of Muslims. For this reason, it is due on the parents to prevent their children from watching or listening to them. This goes back to the Statement of Allaah Almighty (which means): {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.}[Quran 66:6]

However, at the same time, they should be prevented wisely and kindly, lest it would produce reverse outcomes. It is a well-known fact that in order to eliminate an evildoing, it should lead to no graver evildoing. Undoubtedly, having an aversion to religion is graver than listening to songs and watching series.

The advice we give to this mother is to advise her daughter, and show her the evil of those songs and series, and seek to find a lawful alternative, like the permissible Anaasheed, and be eager to establish a link between her daughter and righteous girls of her age, occupy her free time with beneficial and permissible hobbies; and encourage her with good words and gifts every time she makes progress in such fields. In this way, the girl would have no time to listen to songs or watch series.