Question:
Is there any prohibition, or does it become your responsibility for playing a video game where your character bows down before a so called God? Or a Movie where the main Character does? What about what they say and the such..
Answer:
Salamu Alaikum
It is not a viewer’s responsibility for viewing such films or games especially as the viewer does not know this will happen prior to starting the film. It is also not his/her responsibility even if he/she knows that this will happen during the film or game. In the same way, one does not get reward for viewing a film in which a character prays or helps a poor person.
In either way it does not affect the viewer’s religion. If that was the case, then viewing any movie, show or game would be almost impossible. We would not even be able to view a real life non-Muslim pray to idols or crosses. All of these events we are not responsible for.
It is however not recommended to continuously watch such things on a regular basis since it may affect our viewpoints in the long term or normalize such bad behaviour. Also if one is paying money for such films or games, then one is participating in the distribution and promotion of such beliefs.
Therefore, although there is no outright prohibition, it is not recommended to participate in frivolous games and films that distract us from our purpose in life.
And Allah and His Prophet know better.
Hajj Khalid Aboulela
