The internet has sparked a tremendous revolution in human history, influencing vital aspects of life, including education, communication, politics, economics, strategic industries, and warfare, with significant implications.
Among the most important applications on the internet is YouTube, a platform for streaming and storing video content.
YouTube was established in December 2005 by three young entrepreneurs: Jawed Karim, Steve Chen, and Chad Hurley. The platform achieved tremendous success, gaining widespread popularity. In October 2006, it was acquired by Google for $1.65 billion.
YouTube has profound effects, requiring a discussion about its permissibility in Islamic Sharia, its ethical guidelines, and the way forward to develop an Islamic YouTube in multiple global languages to convey the message of Islam to all of humanity.
Islamic Ruling on YouTube
YouTube is a modern media tool that can reach billions of people in their homes, delivering diverse content. It can propagate both guidance and misguidance, virtue and vice, corruption and reform. So, is it permissible for Muslims to use YouTube and consider it a reliable source for learning Islamic teachings?
The concise answer is: Yes.
It is permissible for Muslims to use YouTube for learning and teaching purposes, whether as educators or learners. Islam encourages benefiting from the best that human civilization has to offer in all fields of life, as Allah says, “And order your people to take the best of it [the tablets].” (Al-A’raf: 145) Particularly in acquiring and imparting knowledge.
Guidelines for YouTube’s Permissibility
- Sincerity in Intention: Whether a person is a content creator, viewer, scholar, learner, preacher, or audience, sincerity in seeking Allah's pleasure is essential. For content creators, their intention should be to please Allah, not to gain fame or wealth. If fame or wealth comes as a byproduct of sincere efforts, there is no harm.
- Being Watchful of Allah: Users must always be aware of Allah’s presence, fearing Him in what they do and refrain from doing on YouTube. Allah warns: “The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it], and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allah warns you of Himself, and Allah is Kind to [His] servants.” (Aal-Imran: 30)
- Honesty and Compliance with Islamic Teachings: Content creators must adhere to truthfulness and Islamic principles. If a creator lies or deceives to increase views or monetary gains, they commit a sin, and their earnings are considered haram (unlawful).
- Lowering the Gaze: Viewers must avoid looking at forbidden content or exposing others' private matters, as Allah knows the treachery of the eyes and what hearts conceal.
- Islamic Guidelines for Women: Women creating content on YouTube must observe Islamic teachings, especially regarding dress and voice.
- Avoiding Immoral Content: Producing or viewing obscene content is a major sin that brings disgrace and ruin in this world and severe punishment in the Hereafter. Such content also has numerous serious physical, psychological, and social harms.
- Permissible Video Editing: Using video editing techniques to enhance the quality and appeal of content is permissible as long as it does not violate Islamic principles.
- Avoiding Deception: Misleading viewers through any form to invalidate truth or uphold falsehood is prohibited. Earnings derived from such practices are unlawful and considered vile. Those engaging in this must repent and seek forgiveness from Allah.
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