الشرك في الألعاب

Summary

In this video, the speaker warns against playing video games like 'God of War' that promote shirk (polytheism), where gods and divine beings are glorified. They emphasize the importance of avoiding content that contradicts Islamic teachings, as it can normalize harmful ideologies and erode religious boundaries. The speaker stresses personal responsibility and urges parents to guide their children in making informed entertainment choices. Drawing on Islamic scholarship, they highlight the danger of engaging with mythologies or non-Islamic beliefs without critical understanding, calling on viewers to reflect on the impact of such games on their faith.

Takeaways

• 😀 Video games like 'God of War' and others with mythological or divine themes can lead to the normalization of polytheism (shirk) and weaken religious beliefs in monotheism.
• 😀 The depiction of gods and divine beings in games can have a subtle but long-term impact on players' views of divinity, especially for younger generations.
• 😀 The speaker argues that engaging with games containing shirk-related content should be avoided, as it can influence one's faith and spiritual commitment.
• 😀 Islamic scholars, such as Ibn Baz, advise against reading or engaging with other religions' scriptures (e.g., Torah, Bible) and mythologies, especially without strong religious conviction.
• 😀 Even though games like 'God of War' are marketed as entertainment, the portrayal of false gods and religious themes can lead to confusion and spiritual harm.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that simply playing these games for fun or enjoyment is dangerous, as it might gradually change how one views theological concepts.
• 😀 The normalization of offensive content in media, such as references to gods or divine beings in entertainment, can lead to desensitization, making players less sensitive to spiritual issues.
• 😀 The speaker calls on Muslims, particularly those in gaming or media review communities, to understand the impact of the content they consume and promote.
• 😀 The speaker stresses the importance of guarding one's faith and the faith of others, especially children, from harmful content in modern entertainment.
• 😀 The impact of engaging with such media is not limited to children; adults are also affected by the gradual shift in how they perceive and interact with religious concepts in media.

Q & A

What is the main concern raised by the speaker in the video script?

The speaker expresses concern about the widespread acceptance of video games that promote polytheistic themes and shirk (associating partners with God). They emphasize that games like 'God of War' contain elements that could negatively influence players' beliefs and understanding of monotheism.

Why does the speaker argue that playing 'God of War' and similar games is dangerous?

The speaker argues that 'God of War' and other games promote polytheistic beliefs by depicting gods and divine figures in ways that contradict Islamic teachings. The speaker believes these representations could confuse or distort a player’s understanding of God’s oneness and lead to spiritual harm.

How does the speaker feel about reviewers and game publishers in relation to games with polytheistic themes?

The speaker is critical of reviewers and publishers who downplay or ignore the potential spiritual harm of games containing shirk. They believe there is a lack of caution in promoting these games to the public without addressing their religious implications.

What does the speaker say about the impact of playing games like 'God of War' on children?

The speaker highlights the significant risk posed to children, whose minds are more impressionable and susceptible to the ideas presented in these games. They argue that the influence of such games on young players could have long-term negative effects on their beliefs and values.

How does the speaker define 'tathbeet' (normalization) in relation to games and media?

The speaker explains 'tathbeet' as the process of normalizing harmful ideas. They use the example of how players might initially find certain elements in games like 'God of War' (such as references to 'war gods') uncomfortable, but over time, these ideas become normalized and less jarring to the player.

What is the speaker's stance on reading mythology or religious texts from other cultures?

The speaker advises caution when engaging with mythology or religious texts from other cultures, particularly if a person’s faith is not strong enough to understand the differences between truth and falsehood. For those with a solid grasp of Islamic beliefs, it may be permissible to read these texts for educational purposes, but for others, it could lead to confusion and doubt.

What is the main spiritual danger that the speaker associates with playing games like 'God of War'?

The speaker associates the main danger with the distortion of one’s belief in the oneness of God (Tawhid). They argue that games that depict gods or divine beings in conflict may cause players to subconsciously accept these beliefs, leading to a weakening of their faith and understanding of monotheism.

What advice does the speaker offer to parents regarding children playing such games?

The speaker advises parents to protect their children from playing games that contain elements of shirk. They urge parents to educate their children about the importance of maintaining a strong, clear understanding of their faith and to guide them away from content that could harm their beliefs.

What does the speaker mean when they refer to the concept of 'ghirah' (jealousy) towards God's majesty?

The speaker refers to 'ghirah' as the protective jealousy a believer feels toward God’s honor and majesty. They argue that a true Muslim should feel disturbed by any depiction that undermines the sacredness of God’s oneness or His divine role, such as the portrayal of other gods in video games.

What is the speaker's response to the argument that video games are just entertainment and shouldn't be taken seriously?

The speaker rejects this argument, stressing that video games are not merely entertainment but a medium through which ideas are transmitted. They argue that entertainment that normalizes shirk or other harmful ideologies is dangerous, particularly for those whose faith is not solid or well-established.