Fatwa's Insights - Entertainment and Current Affairs

THE 61ST MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2023

1 FEBRUARI 2023 / 10 REJAB 1444H

FATWA CONCERNING PROGRAMS OF A MYSTICAL NATURE SUCH AS HAUNTED HOUSES AND THE LIKE

The realm of jinn or devils indeed exists with their own independent life that cannot be seen by the naked human eye. Islam does not deny their existence but commands us to constantly seek protection from their evils. We are also not instructed to excessively manifest fear of their evils; rather, we are taught to practice righteous deeds, whether in the form of recitations or actions, that can protect us from their harm.

At the same time, we are also commanded to avoid superstitious elements that give rise to confusion in belief, to the extent that we imagine something nonexistent or attribute to them powers exceeding what Allah has ordained for them.

Included within such mystical superstition is the belief that the spirits of the deceased return or wander about disturbing the living.

Thus, the organization or hosting of Haunted House programs that engender superstitious elements or excessive fear in individuals, or degrade personal dignity, or lead to indecent acts or harm, is prohibited according to Shariah.

As for any organization that imparts knowledge about the realm of jinn or devils based on authentic evidence without superstition, it is permissible. There is no prohibition againts organizing events containing entertaining elements as long as they do not engender erroneous beliefs.

Attendance of Members of the Perlis State Fatwa Committee:

1. S.S Professor Dato' Arif Perkasa Dr Mohd Asri Bin Zainul Abidin – Mufti of Perlis;

2. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Tajul Urus bin Abdul Halim – Deputy Mufti of Perlis;

3. Sahibul Fadhilah Dato' Dr. Johari bin Mat;

4. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Muhamad Rozaimi bin Ramle;

5. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Basri bin Ibrahim;

6. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Hj Zaharuddin Bin Hj Abdul Rahman;

7. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Azman Bin Mohd Noor;

8. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Akram Bin Dato' Dahaman @ Dahlan;

9. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Kamilin bin Jamilin;

10. Sahibul Fadhilah Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Wifaq Bin Mokhtar;

11. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Syed Abu Bakar Bin Syed Kamal Bharin;

12. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Muhammad Lukman Bin Mat Sin;

13. Ustaz Muhammad Khidhir Bin Abdul Ghani – Secretary.

RESOLVED at the Meeting of the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Perlis Bil. 2/2023 on 3 April 2023.