Allowing Others To Watch Questionable Content
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
My mom wants to watch content on a streaming service, which I have subscribed to, but I am not sure whether the content is sinful or not. There are some scenes that show shirk, but those are skipped. The only way she can watch is if I let her log in using my credentials. When I refuse to give the login, she gets upset and scolds me. Should I give her the credentials?
Answer
I pray you are well.
You won’t be sinful for what your mother chooses to watch. Most services provide permissible content, so sharing access to it is not impermissible.
If you do share your login credentials with your mother, advise her on what content is appropriate to watch. That’s all you have to do. If she herself chooses to watch something sinful, you will not be sinful – provided that there is content on the service that isn’t indecent.
If she watches something inappropriate, it is an act that she independently chooses, so you will not be responsible for it. (Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar)
If it does lead to further issues, cancel your subscription. Blame it on high prices and ask Allah to allow you to spend your time in a way that’s pleasing to Him.
May Allah facilitate all matters for you.
Related Links:
- How Much Is One Responsible for Aiding Others in Committing Sins?
- When Am I Assisting Someone in Sin?
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
