What is the ruling on sitting with family and watching television with them, when it contains Sharia violations such as unveiled women and music, despite advising them and their not responding, and am I sinful if I remain with them while disapproving in my heart?
The prevalence of televisions, along with the accompanying music and images of unveiled women, makes it difficult to prohibit sitting in places where televisions are on. This widespread affliction (umum al-balwa) is one of the reasons for permission and leniency in Islamic law, because the Sharia facilitates what is difficult and burdensome for the مكلف (accountable person). Leniency due to hardship and widespread affliction applies to many areas of Islamic law. The prohibition of sitting in a place where an evil is present is conditional, unless there is a need or necessity. If a Muslim encounters an evil out of necessity, he should denounce it in his heart. Constantly avoiding sitting with family is a hardship. Therefore, it is permissible to sit with them while gently and kindly advising them to avoid watching anything that contains violations of Islamic law.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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