Can I Play a Video Game That Features Robotic Violence?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
We have discovered a video game titled “Transformers.” This game involves robots engaging in combat with each other. There are no female characters, but occasionally the robots make statements; for example, they express gratitude to a being other than Allah, and this being is not alive.
For instance, unlike saying “we thank God” or “we thank Allah,” they have a different form of expression because they are robotic beings. If we turn off the voices in the game settings, so we no longer hear these statements or anything else said, would it then be permissible for us to play?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good health and faith. Thank you for your question and for seeking guidance regarding video games.
It is advisable to avoid playing violent games as exposure to one form of violence often leads to an interest in others. Engaging in such games can result in addiction and desensitize us to various abnormal behaviors, making them seem normal. Instead, we should choose non-violent games and focus on working on ourselves—our ego (nafs)—and engage in activities that benefit us physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Regarding “Transformers,” despite its robotic theme, the gameplay and character portrayal are quite intense. The game features scenes of torture, dead bodies, gruesome dismemberment, execution of defenseless prisoners, and screams of agony and pleas for mercy. It also includes dark and potentially frightening scenes (depending on one’s age), along with numerous instances of physical, mental, and emotional trauma.
I encourage you to review the valuable answers and links provided below for further guidance and direction, in sha Allah.
Related:
- Video Games Archives
- Are Video Games Containing Violence and Indecency Impermissible?
- What is the Ruling of Video Games Showing Violence in Self-Defense and Justice?
- Reader on Playing Video Games
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
