Can I watch TV and movies while fasting?

Detailed answer

Watching television, films or series does not break the fast. The fast is about what enters the body and about intimate relations, and looking at a screen is not one of these. So, in itself, watching something decent while you wait for iftar is allowed. Two things decide whether it is a good idea: what you watch and how much.

What you watch

Allah tells believers to lower their gaze (An-Nur 24:30–31). Scenes of nudity, sexual content, foul language or mockery of religion are sinful at any time and harm the fast even more. According to most scholars they do not make the fast invalid, but they can strip it of its reward. The Prophet said that whoever does not give up false speech and acting on it, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink (Bukhari). For more on this, see watching haram content while fasting.

How much you watch

In many countries Ramadan has become a season of TV series and shows, and it is easy to spend more hours in front of a screen than in prayer or reading the Quran. Ramadan lasts only 29 or 30 days, and its last ten nights contain Laylat al-Qadr, a night "better than a thousand months" (Al-Qadr 97:3). Hours spent on entertainment cannot be recovered. See why the last ten nights are special.

Tips

• Set a daily limit, and keep screens off during Taraweeh time and the last ten nights.
• Choose beneficial content: documentaries, stories of the prophets, Quran explanation or lectures.
• Watch with your family and talk about what you see. It can become a moment of learning together.
• Use the time just before iftar for dua, a time many scholars recommend for asking Allah, instead of a show.
• Be careful with music in soundtracks and adverts; see music in Ramadan.

Entertainment is not forbidden in Islam, but Ramadan invites us to make the most of every hour. Watching less and reading more is one of the simplest ways to feel the difference this month.