Ramzan & Online Entertainment: Why The Dilemma?
With the approach of Ramzan comes a barrage of TV viewing options; light-hearted comedy, romance and musically lilting OSTs beckon us to grab the TV remote, put our feet up, chai ka cup in hand, and watch the drama(tic) stories unfold on screen as we unwind from a day of fasting & … feasting.
But … and here’s the catch
Many of us worry that this onslaught of limitless online entertainment is weakening our resolve to commit to Allah! Are you one of them? I have a debate unfolding in my head and I thought, why not share it with you.
It’s simply a matter of what to choose right?
And you get to pick what’s right for you. That’s what being an adult is all about. That’s what fasting is all about, that’s what Ramzan is all about – making informed choices, discipline, quiet reflection, giving, … and entering into a dialogue with God.
But then, you might argue
Why don’t these entertainment channels switch off their transmissions in Ramzan, focus on worship, religion and spirituality – why this pressure on us to watch multiple dramas a day? There too many dramas airing in Ramzan. We have no time for prayer & reflection.
And I respond
You always have a choice not to watch. There are multiple programs airing on religion & Ramzan too. And I can visit YouTube (and several podcasts) right now to give you a list of at least 10 channels who have initiated thoroughly engaging, informative Islamic lectures & discourse that can be listened to at your free will. One must only find the time to be disciplined and tune into them.
But the dramas have bigger marketing budgets, they seem more appealing & they distracted us. Say You.
But, say I, you can choose to be disciplined & limit your watch time. Isn’t that what Ramzan is all about? Self Control & Discipline? Choosing the less attractive, less worldly option and losing yourself in worship?
Allah has given us humans the gift of reason for a reason
Use it when you need to. The decision is in your hands. Wouldn’t it be easy to be pious & God fearing & always right if you never had to pick the right alternative? If it was already done for you?
But then, say I
You would not be human, you’d be an angel!
And that, dear folks, rounds up my debate on whether online entertainment makes our faith stronger or weaker – I would vouch for the former. It is just like living abroad in a country where the majority of the population is non Muslim. You go about your regular day with no special Ramzan timings, people dining, feasting before you, where life goes on as usual.
Does that make your faith weaker or stronger?
You tell me.
But you have made a choice that you will fast. And you ignore the ice cream stand on the road, the football runs for your child in early evening, you plan your iftar preps around it, you try to find ways to give that make a difference to those who receive your charity (believe me, this is hard in a rich country) and you find time for spirituality, and a bit of online entertainment too.
How you balance the two, is your call – after all, we’re not angels, are we? And God knows that too. Begin with a premise of having faith, trying to do your best and the rest shall follow … trust me, it does.
Every Ramzan brings its own set of challenges and blessings, count yours now and don’t let a small thing like 3 new Ramzan dramas get in the way. After all, they’re not going anywhere. remember, it’s not like Snapchat – the dramas won’t disappear, they’ll be there next month too, but Ramzan will be gone soon!
Hope that helped sort out your dilemma!
