What is the ruling on watching documentary films that are free of Sharia-prohibited elements, but in which the speaker sometimes uses phrases like "nature's wrath" or "nature said otherwise," knowing that he does not intend a meaning of disbelief but rather a metaphorical one?
There is no objection to watching documentary films that are free from Sharia prohibitions, provided they do not distract one from an obligation. However, it is impermissible to attribute anything to nature, such as anger or generosity, even metaphorically. This is because it resembles the atheists who attribute actions to nature, which is an act of disbelief (kufr). Nature is a creation of Allah and does not act except by His command. Allah has forbidden believers from imitating disbelievers in their words and deeds, as He states: (O you who have believed, do not say "Ra'ina" but say "Unzurna") and as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." If the viewer of these films rejects and disapproves of the phrases attributed to nature, then there is no blame upon him.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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