There was a tv series on MBC1 channel in 2012 named 'Omar Series'. As the name suggests, it was on the life of Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, in which all of the Companions were depicted. The accuracy of the series is very high. Is it okay if I give the series to a non-practicing Muslim as an alternative to his daily haram entertainment?

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 ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

Even if this TV series is historically accurate, it is not free of other sharee'ah violations and prohibitions like featuring the Companions. We have previously underlined that it is impermissible to watch such series and movies for certain considerations highlighted in fatwa 88555.

The resolution of the Islamic Fiqh Academy in this regard reads, “The founding Council unanimously decrees that it is prohibited to direct the movie “Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam" ... Depicting the Companions and featuring them in many scenes of the film are prohibited according to the scholarly consensus.”

The fatwa of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawa in Saudi Arabia reads:

“Portraying the Companions or one of them (on stage or on the screen) is forbidden because it is disrespectful towards them, lowers the esteem in which they are held, and exposes them to mockery and ridicule, even if it is thought that this serves a purpose, because the negative consequences to which it leads outweigh any benefits, and anything of which the negative consequences outweigh the positive is definitely forbidden. A statement was issued by the Council of Senior Scholars stating that this is forbidden...”

If this is the case, then it is impermissible for you to watch it or give it to any person because this constitutes helping someone in committing a prohibited act. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {...And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allaah; indeed, Allaah is severe in penalty.} [Quran 5:2] Instead of preoccupying this young man with entertainment, you can resort to the divine education-oriented reform approach, progressively reminding him of Allaah and His Greatness, Might, and Power. Verily, when faith is well-established within the heart, the body parts easily submit to Allaah. ʻAa'ishah said, “Verily, the first thing that was revealed thereof (the Quran) was a Soorah from Al-Mufassal, and in it was mentioned Paradise and the Hellfire. When the people submitted to Islam, the verses regarding lawful and unlawful things were revealed. If the first thing to be revealed was, ‘Do not drink wine,’ then people would have said, ‘We will never leave wine,’ and if it was, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ they would have said, 'We will never give up adultery.’” [Al-Bukhari]

This progressive approach is the most effective in influencing the hearts. There is no harm in resorting to lawful entertainment every now and then provided that it does not become a habit.

Allaah knows best.