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My Children Watch Anime, What Are Muslim Scholars' Opinions on Anime

Writer's picture: ABCDeenABCDeen

Updated: Apr 9, 2023



Anime, a form of Japanese animation, has become increasingly popular worldwide, including among Muslim youth. With its colorful and captivating characters, gripping storylines, and unique art style, anime has captured the hearts of many young people. However, as with any form of entertainment, the question arises: is anime permissible (halal) or prohibited (haram) in Islam?

To shed light on this issue, we turn to the opinions of respected Muslim scholars who have addressed the topic of anime from an Islamic perspective. These scholars come from diverse backgrounds and schools of thought, but they share a common goal of guiding Muslims towards what is halal and protecting them from what is haram.

In this article, we will explore the opinions of five well-known Muslim scholars on anime, including Sheikh Sulaiman Moola, Dr. Zakir Naik, Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem, Mufti Menk, and Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan. We will examine their views on the permissibility of watching anime, the potential harms and benefits of anime, and how Muslims can approach this form of entertainment in a way that aligns with Islamic principles.

Whether you are a fan of anime or simply curious about the Islamic perspective on this topic, this article aims to provide a comprehensive and balanced overview of the opinions of Muslim scholars on anime. So, let us begin by delving into the first scholar's view on anime:

Sheikh Sulaiman Moola is a well-known Islamic scholar who has given lectures and talks on a variety of topics related to Islam and contemporary issues. While he has not spoken extensively on the topic of anime, he has briefly touched upon the subject in some of his talks.

In one of his talks, Sheikh Sulaiman Moola stated that while he cannot give a definitive ruling on the permissibility of watching anime in Islam, he advised caution in choosing what types of media to consume. He emphasized the importance of being mindful of the impact that different forms of media can have on one's faith and spirituality.

At the same time, Sheikh Sulaiman Moola acknowledged that not all anime is necessarily harmful or negative. He recognized that some anime may have positive messages and themes, such as the promotion of friendship, bravery, or selflessness. He emphasized the importance of using one's own judgment and seeking guidance from trusted sources in determining what types of anime are permissible to watch.

Overall, Sheikh Sulaiman Moola's opinion on anime seems to be in line with the broader Islamic principle of being mindful of the impact that different forms of media can have on one's faith and spirituality. While he did not give a definitive ruling on the permissibility of watching anime, he advised caution and emphasized the importance of using one's own judgment and seeking guidance from trusted sources.



Dr. Zakir Naik is a renowned Islamic scholar and public speaker who has given lectures and talks on a wide range of topics related to Islam and contemporary issues. While he has not spoken extensively on the topic of anime, he has briefly touched upon the subject in some of his talks and writings.

In one of his lectures, Dr. Zakir Naik stated that Islam promotes the idea of seeking knowledge and being open to different forms of media and entertainment, as long as they are not contrary to Islamic principles and values. He emphasized the importance of using one's own judgment and seeking guidance from Islamic scholars in determining what types of media are permissible to consume.

Regarding anime specifically, Dr. Zakir Naik acknowledged that not all anime is necessarily harmful or negative. He recognized that some anime may have positive messages and themes, such as the promotion of justice, compassion, or good moral values. He emphasized the importance of using one's own judgment and seeking guidance from Islamic scholars in determining what types of anime are permissible to watch.

Dr. Zakir Naik also noted that some anime may contain elements of shirk (associating partners with Allah) or promote other religions, which would be impermissible for Muslims to watch. He advised Muslims to be aware of these elements and to avoid any form of media that promotes beliefs or practices that are contrary to Islam.

Overall, Dr. Zakir Naik's opinion on anime seems to be in line with the broader Islamic principle of being mindful of the impact that different forms of media can have on one's faith and spirituality. While he did not give a definitive ruling on the permissibility of watching anime, he advised caution and emphasized the importance of using one's own judgment and seeking guidance from Islamic scholars.



Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem is a prominent Islamic scholar and speaker who has addressed a wide range of topics related to Islam and contemporary issues. While he has not spoken extensively on the topic of anime, he has provided some insight into his opinion on the matter.

In one of his Q&A sessions, Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem was asked about the permissibility of watching anime. He stated that while he personally does not watch anime, he would not categorically say that it is haram (forbidden) to do so. He emphasized the importance of using one's own judgment and seeking guidance from Islamic scholars in determining what types of media are permissible to consume.

However, Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem also noted that some anime may contain elements that are contrary to Islamic teachings, such as violence, sexual content, or the promotion of un-Islamic values. He advised Muslims to be careful in selecting which anime to watch and to avoid those that may have a negative influence on their faith or morals.

Regarding the issue of idol worship and shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is a common theme in many anime shows, Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem was clear in his stance that any form of idol worship or shirk is strictly forbidden in Islam. He advised Muslims to be cautious of any media that promotes beliefs or practices that are contrary to Islamic teachings.

Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem's opinion on anime seems to be in line with the broader Islamic principle of being mindful of the impact that different forms of media can have on one's faith and spirituality. While he did not categorically label anime as haram, he emphasized the importance of being cautious and using one's own judgment in determining what types of media are permissible to consume.



Mufti Menk, also known as Mufti Ismail Menk, is a well-known Islamic scholar and speaker who has addressed a wide range of topics related to Islam and contemporary issues. While he has not spoken extensively on the topic of anime, he has provided some insight into his opinion on the matter.

In one of his lectures, Mufti Menk was asked about the permissibility of watching anime. He stated that while there is no clear-cut answer to this question, it is important for Muslims to be mindful of the content they are consuming and how it can impact their faith and morals.

Mufti Menk noted that some anime may contain elements that are contrary to Islamic teachings and the promotion of un-Islamic values. He advised Muslims to be cautious in selecting which anime to watch and to avoid those that may have a negative influence on their faith or morals.

Regarding the issue of idol worship and shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is a common theme in many anime shows, Mufti Menk emphasized that any form of idol worship or shirk is strictly forbidden in Islam. He advised Muslims to be cautious of any media that promotes beliefs or practices that are contrary to Islamic teachings.

Furthermore, Mufti Menk highlighted the potential negative impact that excessive consumption of anime or other forms of entertainment can have on one's faith and spirituality. He stated that becoming addicted to any form of entertainment can lead to neglecting one's religious obligations and ultimately lead to a decline in one's faith.

While Mufti Menk did not categorically label anime as haram, he emphasized the importance of being mindful of the impact that different forms of media can have on one's faith and spirituality. He advised Muslims to be cautious in selecting which anime to watch and to avoid those that may have a negative influence on their faith or morals.


Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan is a well-known Muslim scholar and speaker who has discussed a range of topics related to Islam and modern culture. While he has not spoken extensively on the topic of anime, he has provided some insight into his opinion on the matter.

In one of his lectures, Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan was asked about the permissibility of watching anime. He stated that while there is no clear-cut answer to this question, it is important for Muslims to be mindful of the content they are consuming and how it can impact their faith and spirituality.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan emphasized that Muslims should always prioritize their faith and spirituality above entertainment or leisure activities. He noted that while anime may seem like a harmless form of entertainment, it can be addictive and distract Muslims from their religious obligations.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan also highlighted the issue of idol worship and shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is a common theme in many anime shows. He emphasized that any form of idol worship or shirk is strictly forbidden in Islam and cautioned Muslims against consuming media that promotes such beliefs or practices.

Furthermore, Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan emphasized the importance of moderation in consuming any form of entertainment, including anime. He advised Muslims to be mindful of their priorities and to not let entertainment distract them from their religious obligations and duties.

In another lecture, Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan discussed the concept of escapism and how it can impact Muslims' faith and spirituality. He stated that while it is natural for humans to want to escape from the pressures and challenges of daily life, excessive escapism can lead to neglecting one's religious obligations and ultimately lead to a decline in one's faith.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan also emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge and guidance from trusted sources in making decisions about what types of media to consume. He advised Muslims to be cautious of consuming media that may promote negative or harmful beliefs and values and to seek guidance from Islamic scholars and leaders in navigating these issues.


While there is no clear-cut answer to its permissibility in Islam, Muslims should always prioritize their faith and spirituality above entertainment or leisure activities. We advise Muslims to be cautious in selecting which anime to watch and to avoid those that may have a negative influence on their faith or morals. We also emphasizes the importance of moderation in consuming any form of entertainment and seeking guidance from trusted sources in making these decisions.







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