Are Streaming Services Haram?

September 14, 2020

Question:

May the peace, blessings, and mercy of Allah be upon you:

There are [streaming service] companies like Netflix that provide movies and television series for a monthly subscription. In addition, these subscriptions include documentaries as well as entertainment and films for children and adults such that the subscriber can choose what they want to view and what they want to avoid. Recently, it has been noted that there is an increase in the promotion of homosexual content in these services, although one can still avoid that [or other religiously objectionable] content because the subscriber can choose what they watch. 

Is it permissible to subscribe to this company?

Answer:

In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

If the service or company is not solely engaged in providing and promoting unlawful movies, series, and programs (i.e., it is their only objective), then it is not forbidden to subscribe to it for viewing permissible content. A person who is not immune from the temptation to commit an unlawful act (e.g., viewing something impermissible) due to the content, or their family is not immune, then it is not permitted to subscribe. Allah knows best.

22 / Muharram al-Haram / 1442 AH

The Office of Sayyid al-Sistani (May Allah prolong his life)

The Holy City of Najaf

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Source: https://www.sistani.org/arabic/qa/0292/#26462