Date : 18-09-2012

Question :

We lease satellite capacity on some channels and they broadcast inappropriate Ads and sometimes they are followed or proceeded with Holy Quran recitation. What is the ruling on leasing these channels? And is it permissible to broadcast the aforementioned Ads and Quran recitation on the same channels and simultaneously ?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.


The Sharia ruling on leasing capacities within satellite channels is based on their contents .i.e. broadcasting educational and lawful entertainment programs is permissible, but broadcasting songs or Ads which involve and promote lewdness and cheating is impermissible.


Thus, broadcasting inappropriate Ads or indecent images is impermissible since helping in committing sins is prohibited for Allah, The Exalted said (What means):" Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment." [Al-Maidah/2].


Further, Al-Imam Ashatibi (May Allah have mercy on his soul) stated:" Studying the result of an action is considered a higher objective of Sharia since a scholar won't issue the Sharia ruling according to ones actions only, but based on their results." [Al-Mowafaqat vol.5 pp. 177].


Furthermore, including inappropriate Ads during the recitation of the Holy Quran is impermissible, because it is contrary to the obligation of honoring and glorifying the Scripture of Allah and protecting it from being degraded. In this regard, Al-Imam An-Nawawi (May Allah have mercy on his soul) stated:" Honoring, glorifying and protecting the Holy Quran is an obligation according to the consensus of Muslim jurists." [At-Tibyan pp.164].


Therefore, we advise you (Questioner) to lay down restrictions to organize the above leasing in order to prevent any Sharia violations before concluding the leasing contract, as well as you should abstain from concluding the lease if the purpose of it is to be used unlawfully. And Allah knows best.