Is Playing Call of Duty (COD) Haram or Halal in Islam? Get Answer 2024

Playing violent video games like Call of Duty is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam. These games involve killing and aggression which go against Islamic principles of peace.

The violent content promotes harmful values and can be psychologically damaging. More constructive and permissible forms of entertainment aligned with Islam are encouraged.

Why Call of Duty Violates Islamic Principles of Peace

The Call of Duty video game series is all about showing realistic modern warfare. In these games, players become soldiers with weapons, taking on tough missions that involve intense gunfights, explosions, and violence.

This kind of violence goes against the key principles of Islam, which promote peace, mercy, and non-violence.

According to the Quran and Hadith, Muslims are encouraged to spread peace, forgive others, and avoid hurting anyone.

The features in this game go against these peaceful principles because they reward players for pretending to kill others. This can make players used to aggression and dangerous weapons, going against the values of peace and non-violence.

Playing Violent Games Can Be Bad For Mental Health

Lots of studies checked how playing really violent video games affects people, especially kids and teens. They found that playing these games a lot can make people care less about others and not feel as much about real violence.

Games like Call of Duty show intense battles and conflicts, but playing them might make it hard for people to understand how violence actually hurts.

This could make players act more mean in real life or not feel as much about bad things happening in the news. Islam teaches us not to play these games as they can be bad for mental health.

4 Better Ways to Spend Time According to Islam

Here are constructive ways for followers of Islam to invest their time in Islamic principles:

1. Community Service

Helping others through charity work, volunteering, or attending Islamic events. This allows us to practice compassion while bonding with people.

2. Family Time

Visiting close relatives and maintaining good relationships with family members. Strengthening these ties is greatly encouraged in our way of life.

3. Spiritual Growth

Praying regularly, reading Quran, and attending religious talks. These activities bring us closer to Allah and give our life true purpose and guidance.

4. Healthy Hobbies

Playing sports, exercising, spending time in nature or relaxing with friends. Taking time for permitted enjoyment and leisure balances our duties.

Balancing worship, community service, family time and fun improves our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Unlike violent video games, these activities help us become positive and engaged Muslims. Keeping our recreation moral and meaningful is key.

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Islamic Experts Say No to Video Games Like (COD)

Islamic scholars widely agree that Muslims, especially young people, should avoid extremely violent video games.

Shaykh Wesaam Chakrwani
He says it’s not a good idea to play violent video games like Call of Duty. He worries that these games can make people get used to violence and act more aggressively.

Instead, he suggests spending time on things that help us grow and be responsible, following Islamic teachings. He’s especially concerned about kids, saying they might become more aggressive if they play these games.

Nauman Ali Khanan Islamic teacher
He advises against playing video games like Call of Duty. He worries they might be addictive, take up too much time, and make people less sensitive to violence. He suggests doing things that are good for personal and spiritual growth instead.

The Fiqh Council of North America, a group of Islamic jurists
They Have ruled that parents are responsible for shielding their children from media that combines video game addiction with violence and moral degradation.

With compelling evidence of risks, Muslim experts globally strongly discourage and advise against inappropriate violent games that go against Islamic principles of mercy and the sanctity of life.

Tips for Parents to Protect Their Kids From Violent Games

1. Set Simple Rules for Game Time

Parents need to help their kids avoid games like Call of Duty, Pubg and Fortnite. Make it clear when they can play and limit the time they spend on these games. Let them play only on weekends, in a shared space, and choose games without violence. Keep an eye on how much they play.

2. Talk About the Problems with Violent Games

It’s important to talk to kids about why games with violence can be a problem. Sometimes, they might not understand that what happens in games is different from real life. Explain things like getting used to violence and making weapons and war seem cool. This way, they can choose games that match our beliefs.

Approved Hobbies in Islam for Enjoyable Pastime

Instead of playing video games promoting violence, outdoor group activities are highly encouraged for children. Sports enhance health and discipline. Hiking and camping build survival skills but can also strengthen family bonds.

Even exercising at home like running or body-weight training provides benefits for young Muslims seeking fun hobbies. As long as competitiveness does not lead to unIslamic conduct, sports are great alternatives.

My Experience:

How Call of Duty Warped My Views on Violence

I used to play the Call of Duty shooting games for hours as a kid. I loved competing online and leveling up weapons. But these war games promoting killing conflicted with Islamic values I learned as I grew older.

The more I understood the principles of non-violence and respect for life in Islam, the more uncomfortable I felt playing aggressively. It worsened by becoming less sensitive to violence.

Quitting Call of Duty helped me realize those games wrongly made violence and death seem fun. Islam teaches us to avoid harming any life.

My time now goes towards more meaningful hobbies. Guidance to reduce violence in media protects both myself and society. These non-violent principles bring me true peace.

Frequently Asked Question

Why are shooting games with graphic violence forbidden in Islam?

They oppose core values like mercy, sanction harm to human life, and desensitize players to the realities of violence and death.

What if the violence is minor or cartoonish instead of realistic gore?

Any game rewarding violent aggression risks negatively influencing players’ morals and behavior, especially for children.

Can violent games be permissible if not promote immoral acts explicitly?

If the main objective is openly amoral or sinful according to Islamic ethics, scholars forbid playing it.

What alternatives are recommended for healthy fun according to Islam?

Constructive hobbies like sports, board games, or educational media avoid marketing immoral values to impressionable gamers.

Closing Lines

Helping young people have fun in good ways is an important part of creating the kind of community our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) dreamed of. Instead of being mean or causing trouble, we want a community that’s smart, honest and cares about everyone.