What is the ruling on showing animated cartoons to children that include: the mixing of boys and girls under the age of discernment, the uncovering of their 'awrah (private parts) at this stage, the appearance of part of the neck or some hair for female characters, the presence of hung pictures of animate beings, the presence of a journalist character carrying a camera to take pictures, the uncovering of thighs in sports programs, and what is the permissible limit of imagination for excitement?

The mixing (ikhtilat) forbidden by Islamic law is that between men and women. As for mixing between animated characters, it is not a forbidden mixing in the Sharia, and children do not have an 'awrah (private parts that must be covered) before the age of takleef (religious accountability). It is not permissible for any part of a man's or woman's 'awrah to appear in animated cartoons. The 'awrah of a woman is her entire body except for the face and hands, and the 'awrah of a man is what is between the navel and the knee. Drawing animate beings by hand is forbidden according to the majority of scholars, though many scholars have made an exception for dolls made for girls' play. Everything that develops a child's faculties of research and innovation and does not contradict Islamic law is good to present to them.