Is Watching Impermissible Video Helping Someone Sin?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Does watching prohibited videos mean we are helping the uploader in sin? Such as watching a video on YouTube increases their views. So, despite the sin that one gets by watching it, would the person also be sinful for helping those who upload it?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Watching something impermissible will mean that you will be sinful, and the person who uploads the content will be independently sinful for his part in it. He may also bear the sin of your action as his action goes against the prohibition of the Quran: “…and do not aid each other in sin and transgression.” (Quran, 5:2) (Marghinani, Hidaya)

Merely clicking on the video would probably not constitute your helping him in sinning. It’s best to repent and wean yourself off all such content.

May Allah allow us to shun what displeases Him.
[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.