Is being an animator contrary to Shariah?

An animator is a performer who plays various characters at different events. According to experts, to be a good animator, one needs psychological awareness, intelligence, inner culture and upbringing, acting skills, the ability to sing or dance, and oratory skills.

The animator’s job is to welcome guests and lift their spirits. Today, animators work in hotels, clubs, cities, festivals, and for tourists. They help organize corporate parties, contests, relay races, and fun competitions.

According to Shariah, the following conditions must be met for someone to work as an animator:

1. Do not lie or deceive. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Woe to the one who lies to make people laugh! Woe to him, woe to him!” (Ahmad). Ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Do not lie, whether in seriousness or in jest. If you promise something to your children, do not fail to fulfill it.”

2. Do not blame or criticize someone without reason. Allah Almighty says: “Let not a people ridicule [another] people,” “Do not insult one another or call each other by [offensive] nicknames” (Surah al-Hujurat, 11).

3. Avoid imitating the actions or sounds of animals, such as barking like a dog or braying like a donkey. Allah likened bad people to dogs and donkeys to show their low status. In the Qur’an: “But he clung to the earth and followed his own desire. His example is like that of a dog” (Surah al-A‘raf, 176), “The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey carrying books” (Surah al-Jumu‘ah, 5).

4. Do not portray religion in a bad light. A Muslim must always protect his religion, Prophet, Book, and religious scholars. Allah says: “If you ask them [about their mockery], they will say, ‘We were only talking idly and joking.’ Say, ‘Was it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?’ Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief” (Surah at-Tawbah, 65-66).

This also applies to wearing turbans, beards, hijabs, and other Islamic symbols or performing actions considered Sunnah.

5. Men should not imitate women, women should not imitate men, and Muslims should not imitate non-believers. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them” (Abu Dawood). He also cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men (Bukhari).

6. Do not display shameful behavior or use indecent language. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah dislikes indecency in words and actions” (Ahmad).

Prepared by Hasan AMANKUL