As Muslims, we try to make choices in our daily lives that match our faith and values. When it comes to games, it is important to think about which types of games are considered haram and not go with our Islamic beliefs or behavior.
Some games can encourage actions or ideas that go against Islamic principles, making them inappropriate for us to play. By being careful with our entertainment choices, we make sure that our time is spent in a way that helps us both in this world and the Hereafter.
Here is the list of 10 games which as Muslims we should avoid playing:
1. PUBG
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has become a global phenomenon, capturing the attention of millions of gamers worldwide. However, for Muslim players, this popular battle royale game raises serious concerns about its compatibility with Islamic principles. Let’s explore why PUBG has been widely considered Haram and potentially harmful to a Muslim’s spiritual well-being.
Reasons Why PUBG is Considered Haram:
- Extreme Violence:: The game revolves around killing and combat, which can desensitize players to violence.
- Wastes Valuable Time: Excessive hours spent on PUBG can lead to neglecting prayers and other important duties.
- Includes Inappropriate Content: Some characters and costumes in the game are immodest, which goes against Islamic teachings.
- Leads to Addiction: Many players become addicted, losing control over their time and responsibilities.
- Encourages Toxic Behavior: The competitive nature often results in anger, insults, and unhealthy competition.
- Gambling-like Mechanics: PUBG includes loot boxes and in-game purchases that resemble gambling, which is strictly forbidden (Haram) in Islamic law.
- Interaction with the Opposite Gender: Online multiplayer mode often involves voice chats and teaming up with strangers, leading to un-Islamic interactions.
Read the complete article on Pubg: Why Pubg is Haram? (With Complete detail)
2. Free Fire
This is another popular battle royale game similar to Pubg that has captivated millions, but as Muslims, we need to consider its effects on our faith and lifestyle. While it might seem entertaining, this game includes elements that conflict with Islamic teachings, making it harmful for us in the long run.
Reasons for Calling Free Fire Haram:
- Promotes Violence: Like many battle games, it focuses on killing and combat, normalizing aggressive behavior.
- Includes Inappropriate Interactions: The online multiplayer mode facilitates conversations and interactions with the opposite gender, which may lead to un-Islamic behavior.
- Distracts From Worship: Spending hours playing Free Fire often leads to neglecting prayers and other Islamic obligations.
- Inappropriate Interactions: The game encourages online interactions that may lead to un-Islamic behavior or relationships.
- Immodest Visuals: Certain characters and outfits in the game are not modest, conflicting with Islamic principles.
Read More about Free Fire
3. God of War
God of War is well-known for its interesting story and action-packed gameplay. However, as Muslims, it’s important to think about its content carefully. This game talks about myths and ideas that go against our belief in the Oneness of Allah. While it may seem fun, it includes things that can affect our spiritual values.
Islamic Concerns About God of War
- Sexual and Inappropriate Content: Character designs and certain scenes contain revealing and sexually suggestive elements that conflict with Islamic modesty principles.
- Promotes Polytheism: The game revolves around Greek and Norse gods, promoting shirk (associating partners with Allah).
- Violent Content: It glorifies extreme violence and brutal combat, desensitizing players to aggression.
- Distracts From Worship: Long hours of playing can lead to neglecting prayers and spiritual growth.
- Promotes Revenge Culture: The game’s core storyline glorifies personal revenge, which contradicts Islamic teachings of forgiveness and peaceful conflict resolution.
- Occult and Supernatural Manipulation: Islamic theology strictly forbids the game’s mechanics of controlling supernatural powers and manipulating heavenly entities.
Check the full blog on God of War
4. Resident Evil
The game has become a global favorite in the horror gaming genre. Despite its thrilling experience, this game carries themes and content that clash with Islamic values. As Muslims, we must be cautious about how such games influence our behavior and beliefs.
Issues Making Resident Evil Unlawful
- Supernatural and Occult Elements: The storyline involves zombies, demonic transformations, and supernatural powers that directly contradict Islamic beliefs about the nature of life and death.
- Psychological Trauma: The game’s horror mechanics aim to induce fear and psychological distress, which contradicts Islamic teachings of mental peace and spiritual tranquility.
- Blood and Gore: The excessive display of graphic scenes contradicts the teachings of modesty and sensitivity.
- Sexual and Inappropriate Content: Character designs and certain scenes contain sexually suggestive elements that conflict with Islamic modesty standards.
- Insults Islamic Holy Places: Some versions of the game have imagery or themes that disrespect sacred locations or symbols in Islam.
Resident Evil complete detailed blog
5. Grand Theft Auto (GTA)
GTA is one of the most controversial games globally, praised for its open-world gameplay but criticized for its problematic themes. As Muslims, it is crucial to recognize that this game promotes activities and behaviors that go completely against Islam, making it unsuitable for us to play.
Reasons GTA is Considered Haram
- Encourages Crime: The game centers on criminal activities such as theft, killing, and drug dealing, promoting immoral behavior.
- Contains Nudity: GTA includes explicit scenes, inappropriate clothing, and immodest behavior, which directly contradict Islamic principles of modesty.
- Promotes Gambling: In some versions, players can engage in gambling activities, which is explicitly haram in Islam.
- Disrespect Towards Women: The portrayal of women is often objectifying and degrading, which goes against Islamic values of respect and dignity.
Here is the complete informative article on: GTA Considered Haram
6. Minecraft
Many consider this a harmless and creative game, offering players the freedom to build, explore, and create their worlds. While it may seem innocent at first glance, we need to be aware of the elements in the game that could conflict with Islamic teachings.
As Muslims, it’s important to evaluate how even seemingly simple games may affect our values and beliefs, and whether they align with the principles of our faith.
Reason Why it is Haram
- Promotes Violence: Minecraft includes combat with hostile mobs, where killing is a core part of gameplay, which can normalize violent actions.
- Encourages Time Wastage: Like many other games, Minecraft can easily lead to excessive playing, distracting players from fulfilling their religious obligations and responsibilities.
- Lack of Modesty: The game includes characters and skins that are often immodest, which may negatively influence the values of players.
7. Call of Duty
Call of Duty represents more than just a video game – it’s a digital arena that tests the moral and spiritual boundaries of Muslim gamers. Its intense warfare simulation raises critical questions about entertainment, violence, and Islamic principles.
Factors Behind This Game is Being Haram
- Promotes Violence: The game centers around warfare and killing, which can desensitize players to violence and harm.
- Encourages Aggression: The intense competitive nature often leads to anger and unhealthy behavior, which Islam advises against.
- Wastes Time: Hours spent playing Call of Duty can lead to neglecting prayers, family duties, and personal growth.
- Un-Islamic Themes: Some versions include content that may promote unethical behavior, such as terrorism or disrespect for human life.
8. Fortnite
This game has become a global gaming phenomenon that captures the attention of millions of players, especially young gamers. While the game might seem like harmless entertainment with its colorful graphics and exciting gameplay, it presents a series of profound challenges for Muslim players who seek to maintain their spiritual integrity and moral principles in the digital world.
Religious Objections to Fortnite
- Excessive Violence: The game’s core mechanism involves eliminating players, which goes against Islamic teachings of preserving human life, even in a virtual setting.
- Addictive Design: Carefully crafted gameplay mechanics create psychological dependency, potentially causing players to neglect important religious and personal responsibilities.
- Gambling-like Purchases: Randomized in-game item systems closely mimic gambling practices, which are strictly forbidden in Islamic financial principles.
- Harmful Social Interactions: Online platforms expose players to inappropriate language, behaviors, and potential cyberbullying risks.
- Time Wastage: The game’s endless nature can significantly distract from spiritual growth, prayers, family time, and personal development.
9. League of Legends
It emerges as a globally popular multiplayer game that transforms virtual battles into an intense competitive experience. For Muslim gamers, this strategic team-based game presents unique spiritual and ethical challenges that go beyond simple entertainment.
What Makes League of Legends Forbidden
- Magic and Sorcery Themes: The game heavily features characters and abilities based on magic and sorcery, which are prohibited in Islam.
- Promotes Unethical Behavior: Players often resort to insults, arguments, and hostility during gameplay, creating an environment of negativity.
- Immodest Characters: Many in-game characters are designed with revealing outfits and inappropriate appearances, which contradict Islamic teachings of modesty.
- Music and Sound Effects: The background music and celebratory sounds include elements that may distract from a mindful, Islamic lifestyle.
10. Assassin’s Creed
This is known for its breathtaking graphics, immersive gameplay, and historical settings, making it a favorite among gamers worldwide. However, as Muslims, we must examine its themes and content through the lens of Islamic teachings. While the game may seem exciting, it includes elements that conflict with our faith and values.
Concerns About Assassin’s Creed in Islamic Teachings
- Glorifies Assassination and Violence: The core gameplay revolves around killing and violent combat, which desensitizes players to aggression.
- Promotes Un-Islamic Ideologies: The storyline often challenges divine beliefs, featuring themes like rebellion against religious institutions and promoting free will in ways contrary to Islamic views.
- Immodesty in Characters: Many characters, especially female ones, are portrayed in revealing outfits, contradicting Islamic principles of modesty.
- Incorporates Magic and Superstition: Elements like mystical artifacts, spells, and ancient sorcery are central to the story, which Islam strictly prohibits.
- Disrespects Sacred Places: Certain missions in the game show holy sites or symbols being used inappropriately, which is deeply offensive in Islam.
How to Avoid These Types of Games and Live According to Islam
As Muslims, it’s essential to protect our faith and focus on activities that bring us closer to Allah. Avoiding harmful games is a step toward living a more productive and spiritually fulfilling life.
Here are some practical ways to avoid these games and spend your time in line with Islamic teachings:
1. Understand the Harm
Learn about the negative impact of these games on your faith, time, and values. Realizing how they conflict with Islamic principles will motivate you to step away from them.
2. Replace with Beneficial Hobbies
Find activities that enrich your life, such as:
- Reading the Quran
- Learning new skills
- Exercising
- Spending time with family and friends
Choose hobbies that bring both joy and rewards in this world and the hereafter.
3. Set Clear Boundaries
Limit the time you spend on entertainment and verify that it does not interfere with your prayers or religious duties. If a game includes haram elements, delete it from your devices and make a firm intention not to return to it.
4. Seek Halal Entertainment
There are many ways to have fun without compromising your values. Watch Islamic lectures, play halal games with your family, or engage in outdoor sports that are permissible and beneficial.
5. Strengthen Your Faith
Increase your connection with Allah through regular prayer, Quran recitation, and making dua. A strong relationship with Allah will help you resist the temptation to engage in activities that lead you away from Him.
6. Surround Yourself with the Right People
Be with friends and family who encourage you to do good and avoid harmful habits. A positive environment can make it easier to stay away from these games.
7. Keep Your Purpose in Mind
Always remember that our purpose in life is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure. Ask yourself if the activities you are engaged in help you fulfill that purpose or distract you from it.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding haram games is not just about quitting; it’s about replacing them with better alternatives that align with our Islamic values. By making small but consistent changes, we can lead a more meaningful and balanced life, staying true to the path of Islam.
May Allah guide us all and make it easy to choose what pleases Him. Ameen!