Is watching an undesirable video considered an ongoing sin?
He who introduces a bad practice (sunnah sayyi'ah) in Islam, and bears its burden and the burden of those who act upon it, is one who disseminates evil and calls to it. This aligns with the Almighty's saying: "And they will surely carry their [own] burdens and other burdens along with their burdens." (Quran 29:13) Therefore, anyone who participates in producing a bad video, or publishing it, or introducing people to it, is considered among those who have introduced a bad practice and bears its burden and the burden of those who act upon it. As for one who merely watches without promoting it, their sin is solely upon themselves, as the Almighty said: "And every soul earns not [anything] except for itself," (Quran 6:164) and "And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another." (Quran 35:18) The servant must beware of persisting in sins, even minor ones, because insistence upon them makes them major. As the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Beware of trivial sins, for they accumulate upon a man until they destroy him."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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