Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
The Sahabah (The Companions) and the Household of Prophet Mohammad enjoy a high level of prestige; as Allah the Almighty praised them and highlighted this supremacy in concerted texts from the Noble Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah. He the Almighty Says (What means): "Allah taking pleasure in them and they in Him" {Al-Ma`dah, 119}. In addition, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "(Fear) Allah! (Fear) Allah regarding my Companions! Do not make them objects of insults after me. Whoever loves them, it is out of love of me that he loves them. And whoever hates them, it is out of hatred for me that he hates them. And whoever harms them, he has harmed me, and whoever harms me, he has offended Allah, and whoever offends Allah, [then] he shall soon be punished." {Related by Tirmithi, Ibn Hibban and al-Baihaqi}.
This true and attractive impression about the Sahabah and the Household of the Prophet (PBUH) is carved in the minds and hearts of all Muslims (predecessors and successors) since they supported Him (PBUH) and bore the responsibility of conveying His Message; the Message of moderate Islam. Therefore, portraying them in movies and serials would tarnish their image, shake people`s trust in them, and make them a subject of ridicule since people would think that the actor or actress is the actual Sahabi or Sahabia. In addition to dishonoring them, great harm will be done to their biography.
This will definitely open the door for questioning Islam and indulging in arguments about the Sahaba of the Prophet. However, there isn`t one iota of doubt that the Prophet`s Household, Imam Al-Hassan, and Imam Al-Hussein are the most esteemed amongst the Sahaba of the Prophet (PBUH). Allah, the Exalted, said, "Allah’s wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O Folk of the Household" {Al-Ahzaab, 33}.
Based on the above, it is prohibited to portray, in movies and serials, the Prophets (Blessings and peace be upon them), Prophet Mohammad`s Household (such as Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein), His wives and the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the same ruling goes for the rest of the Sahabah (Blessings and peace be upon them). The aim is to preserve their bright and exalted image- reflected in their history and stands in life-in the minds and hearts of all Muslims.
Fatwas prohibiting this have been issued by Fiqh assemblies and Fatwa houses throughout the Muslim World. For example, the resolution of the International Islamic Fiqh Assembly(Eighth session), resolutions (13 & 107) of the Council of Senior Scholars (Saudi Arabia), resolution of the Muslim World League Council, resolution of the Assembly of Islamic Research/Al-Azhar, Iftaa houses in Kuwait, and the letter of the former Grand Mufti of Jordan Dr. Nooh Al-Qhodat, No.(1/1/11/642), (27/Jumada Al-Akhirah/1430 AH), corresponding to (21/6/2009).
We, Iftaa` Department, agree with the above religious authorities that it is prohibited to portray in movies and serials the honorable Household of the Prophet (for example, al-Hassan and Al-Hussein), the Mothers of the Believers, and the Rightly Guided Caliphs. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.
