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What is the difference between the ruling on denouncing disbelief with the heart when witnessing it on television, and the ruling on denouncing it in a gathering where disbelief is uttered? And does one commit an act of disbelief merely by looking at scenes of disbelief, or does one commit an act of disbelief by not leaving a gathering where there is an abomination? And is it permissible to suffice with denouncing with the heart while remaining in the gathering if the abomination continues?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Merely watching films that contain disbelief (kufr), while inwardly rejecting it and not being pleased with it, does not amount to disbelief, even if it is a sin. When such content is present in a gathering, one must denounce it according to one's ability. Inward rejection is not sufficient unless one is incapable [of speaking out]. One must also leave the gathering if possible. Sitting with them while outwardly denouncing their actions and clarifying the religious ruling is permissible, even if they do not accept the advice, as indicated by the verse: (And those who fear Allah are not accountable for them in anything, but [their duty is] to remind them that perhaps they will fear Allah).

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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