Playing fantasy video games as a Muslim?

Naṣāʾiḥ of Ibn Muneer - 0009

Q: Fulan, Famagusta TRNC, As Salaamu Alaikum Mufti. What is the ruling on playing role-playing video games where you play as a mage, sorcerer or wizard? And those where you pray to gods and raise the dead?

A: May Allah bless you. Video games in general, that’s a long discussion, with regards to Muslims playing video games. And it’s not just about Muslim youth, but Muslims in general. A grown man plays video games, alright. So with regards to playing a mage, huh? Or sorcerer, or wizard, or sorcerer’s apprentice and things like this, king Arthur whatever, huh? Whatever game one is playing. طيب . And raising the dead and so on and so on and so forth. The general problematic issues of video games, apply to most video games. Whether it’s nudity, whether it’s music, or whether it’s, even deeper than that, such as the waste of time. Not saying that all video games are Haram. Nor am I saying that every recreational act, or sport, or even some type of pastime is a waste of time. There is certain video games that are no different than certain physical activities. Which may sharpen and enhance and heighten the mind. And reaction and intelligence. But we’re talking about the general concept of just wasting hours and hours and hours playing a game, alright. And often times there’s no real get-back, you’re not getting anything back, that can be converted and re-created, into positive, Islamic energy. As we’ve explained before, recreation, to recreate energy. طيب . So there’s problems with video games in general, alright. Whether it’s this, this, that or that, like we’ve just mentioned. As for as you’re playing a game in which there are concepts of kufr and shirk, even if it isn’t the same ruling as you making the kufr and making the shirk and doing the wizardry, or being a mage, just the general concept of being around that type of atmosphere, and enjoying it and finding pleasure in it, and that weakening your hatred for it, and your hatred for the people who do it. Now that’s a very long discussion in and of itself. What our mashaykh in Madinah would talk about, (arabic), from the things that are manifested, the manifestations of weak hatred of طاغوت and the people of the طاغوت. Certain things that we wear, certain drinks that we drink, foods that we eat, places that we go, you wanna go visit and look at these ancient civilization, and go to this museum, not saying that each and every act is Haram like this, but the concept of the hatred of the people of the kufr and shirk, among many of us is what? Weak. And there are different manifestations of that weakness. There are different what? Manifestations of that weakness. So if a person really hates Sihr, and knows the evil of Sihr, and the people who make Sihr, is it possible for you to play a video game with it and you’re pretending to be a Saahir?...and you’re...It’s general problems huh...So I would say to avoid it and stay away from it, whether its haram or not, to play a game in which you’re acting like a wizard. Whether its haram or not, I would advise you to stay away from it. Also the concept of books, whether it’s Harry Potter, or other fantasy books or other novels that pertain to sorcery or wizardry, etc. Just because they’re talking about Sihr and they’re practicing Sihr in the story, it doesn’t mean that you’re doing Sihr. Doesn’t necessitate that. It does not necessitate that. Nor does it necessitate, that you fall under the hadith, (arabic), he who goes to a sorcerer, he who goes to a diviner, a soothsayer, a palm reader, a “spiritual guide” they say huh? Everybody understand this? It doesn’t necessarily mean, in my humble opinion that you’re included in that. “And you ask them about something, whether you believe them or believe them not.” Going to a soothsayer or a tarot card reader, and asking them is one level. And then believing them is a whole different level. But the sheer fact of going to them and asking them, there’s hadith that prohibits that. Does that mean if I read a book about a mythical or a fantasy story about a sorcerer, or a sorcerer’s apprentice, or the philosopher’s stone, or whatever the magician stone whatever they call it. Does that mean, is that the same thing? الله اعلم if you can say that. But regardless of the fact, be mindful of your time, be mindful of having love for the kuffar and for their ways, and things like this. And Allah(سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ‎) knows best.

Note: This advice of "Mufti" "Abu Ramlah" Muhammad Ibn Muneer Abdul-Hameed was transcribed from hd Live Q&A - YouTube (1:28) (alternative link)
Video streamed live on Jun 6, 2018

‏اَلسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ‎

جزاك اللهُ خيرًا

مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّه

بارك الله فيك

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

تقبل الله منا ومنكم