Watching Pornographic Cartoons

	Name of Questioner	Salim - India
	Title	Watching Pornographic Cartoons
	Question	Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it right for us to see cartoon pornography such as television characters, or comic book characters in various states of undress and possibly engaged in sexual activity? Thanks!
	Date	13/Sep/2007
	Name of Mufti	Muhammad Nur Abdullah
	Topic	Drawing & Photography, Morals & Values

Wa `alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

It is a really sinful and unbecoming act from a Muslim to watch pornographic cartoons. Pornographic pictures, cartoons, or movies are haram (prohibited) as it may lead to zina (illegitimate sexual intercourse ). Allah says in the glorious Qur’an, [And come not even close to zina. Indeed, it is obscenity and a most evil way]

(Al-Israa’ 17:33).

In addition, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “The eyes commit adultery, the tongue commits adultery, the hands commit adultery, the feet commit adultery, and then the private parts confirm it or deny it” (Reported by Ahmad ibn Hanbal). This means that Islam blocks all means leading to zina including watching pornography.

In his response to your question, Sheikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah, former president of the ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) and member of the Fiqh Council of North America, states,

This is an avenue that will most likely lead to worse consequences, and therefore it must be blocked and prevented. Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an, [Those who love (to see) scandal published broadcast among the believers, will have a grievous penalty in this life and in the hereafter: Allah knows, and you know not]

(An-Nur 24:19).

Therefore, I would say it is unacceptable to watch these pornographic cartoons, and doing so will be counted as a sin.