Ahmed ibn Ibrahim
alhamdulilah
Assalamu Alaikum my dear respected brothers and sisters,
Okay, my turn to humbly ask for some thoughts, advice, and Islamic knowledge regarding an issue that is important to me and how I've lived my life for the past 10 or so years.
When I became a Muslim I immediately stopped many things: Smoking, having an occaisonal beer, negative thinking patterns, associating with "haram people", listening to downloaded music, watching movies ... and even my old favourite passtime: Playing computer games.
Now before you jump at me with Qu'ranic verses and various Haddiths, please allow me an oppourtunity to explain my situation fully, and hear me out on some various thoughts.
Okay, so I know that some "games" are accepted readily in Islam. I see that "tag" is fine. I read that our beloved Prophet PBUH and Aisha used to race each other in the desert. I've notice "word games" here on TTI.com. At my Mosque, there's a Ramadan Competition regarding 30 different Islamic questions with a reward at the end for those who answer all 30 right. I've seen puzzle games being sold at my Mosque. I've even seen one of my Mosque Brother's children playing a "Real-Time Strategy" computer game (with mild violence) at his house. Therefore, I know that at least SOME games are Halal.
Alright, now for my personal history: I started playing computer games when I was about 10 years old, right at the beginning of what has become the Gaming Revolution. Back in the old days, the games were two-dimensional with terrible graphics and repetative gameplay. Gradually things improved, and I always kept an interest in what was new. These days games have improved to the point where you can play in a fully detailed three-dimensional world with endless possibilities, real-life people to meet, quests to embard on, monsters to defeat, enemy players to compete against, equipment/wealth to aquire, knowledge to obtain ... All done with near-perfect smoothness and playability, and in the spirit of having fun while knowing that it's just a game.
I generally spent about 10 hours a week playing these, with more time being spent on the weekends. Rarely did I neglect my other responsibilities, nor have I turned into a violent, incorrehant monster of a human being either. I have noticed certain benefits, too: My spatial reasoning is almost perfect (I scored 98% on the SAT and IQ tests), I have a tactical/logical mind and am easily able to solve problems in effecient sequence, I despise evil and love what is good, I've aquired effective self-defense/strategy training through the years, crisis situations do not cause me to freeze up or be unable to solve effectively, I've enjoyed myself playing games other kids my age were listening to Eminem and smoking drugs... I'm sure I could think of a few more positives, but you get you idea.
I can think of some negatives, too: I've seen some of the more grusome sides of humanity, I've been exposed to various garbage myths and pagan tales, I've seen and participated in virtual violence, I've been around some very twisted individuals who say some very weird things while playing
Recently I've been playing only one game, Dark Age of Camelot. I generally keep to myself, though I'm concidering (if I do go back and play it) starting up a new Muslim guild (group of players) in the game to fascilitate a more Islamic environment. My wife has enjoyed playing this game with me in the past. I always play the "good guys", with it being in my heart that I'm a brave warrior out to vanquish the evil of the world and spread freedom, justice, and growth/life. When I interact with others online, it is almost always done in a respectful, honest, and "true" way - I even take every oppourtunity to share with people about God/life/death when they come to me with personal problems. As a result, I generally have a very positive reputation within DAoC.
To conclude, I am concidering going back to this hobby as I've noticed myself getting bored and depressed not to have a hobby anymore. Sure reading the Qu'ran, Bible, Haddiths, and participating here on TTI are pleasurable and fun, but I can only do it for so long. I do other research online, too. I want to be a good person, to please Allah, and to leave this life with a history to be proud of that will enable me to join Allah and our family in Paradise: this is my main objective in life.
What are your thoughts on this matter, my dear brothers and sister? And hey, don't forget I'm your brother too if you have strong opinions against this, so please be merciful and helpful. I thank you kindly. =)
Ahmed
Okay, my turn to humbly ask for some thoughts, advice, and Islamic knowledge regarding an issue that is important to me and how I've lived my life for the past 10 or so years.
When I became a Muslim I immediately stopped many things: Smoking, having an occaisonal beer, negative thinking patterns, associating with "haram people", listening to downloaded music, watching movies ... and even my old favourite passtime: Playing computer games.
Now before you jump at me with Qu'ranic verses and various Haddiths, please allow me an oppourtunity to explain my situation fully, and hear me out on some various thoughts.
Okay, so I know that some "games" are accepted readily in Islam. I see that "tag" is fine. I read that our beloved Prophet PBUH and Aisha used to race each other in the desert. I've notice "word games" here on TTI.com. At my Mosque, there's a Ramadan Competition regarding 30 different Islamic questions with a reward at the end for those who answer all 30 right. I've seen puzzle games being sold at my Mosque. I've even seen one of my Mosque Brother's children playing a "Real-Time Strategy" computer game (with mild violence) at his house. Therefore, I know that at least SOME games are Halal.
Alright, now for my personal history: I started playing computer games when I was about 10 years old, right at the beginning of what has become the Gaming Revolution. Back in the old days, the games were two-dimensional with terrible graphics and repetative gameplay. Gradually things improved, and I always kept an interest in what was new. These days games have improved to the point where you can play in a fully detailed three-dimensional world with endless possibilities, real-life people to meet, quests to embard on, monsters to defeat, enemy players to compete against, equipment/wealth to aquire, knowledge to obtain ... All done with near-perfect smoothness and playability, and in the spirit of having fun while knowing that it's just a game.
I generally spent about 10 hours a week playing these, with more time being spent on the weekends. Rarely did I neglect my other responsibilities, nor have I turned into a violent, incorrehant monster of a human being either. I have noticed certain benefits, too: My spatial reasoning is almost perfect (I scored 98% on the SAT and IQ tests), I have a tactical/logical mind and am easily able to solve problems in effecient sequence, I despise evil and love what is good, I've aquired effective self-defense/strategy training through the years, crisis situations do not cause me to freeze up or be unable to solve effectively, I've enjoyed myself playing games other kids my age were listening to Eminem and smoking drugs... I'm sure I could think of a few more positives, but you get you idea.
I can think of some negatives, too: I've seen some of the more grusome sides of humanity, I've been exposed to various garbage myths and pagan tales, I've seen and participated in virtual violence, I've been around some very twisted individuals who say some very weird things while playing
Recently I've been playing only one game, Dark Age of Camelot. I generally keep to myself, though I'm concidering (if I do go back and play it) starting up a new Muslim guild (group of players) in the game to fascilitate a more Islamic environment. My wife has enjoyed playing this game with me in the past. I always play the "good guys", with it being in my heart that I'm a brave warrior out to vanquish the evil of the world and spread freedom, justice, and growth/life. When I interact with others online, it is almost always done in a respectful, honest, and "true" way - I even take every oppourtunity to share with people about God/life/death when they come to me with personal problems. As a result, I generally have a very positive reputation within DAoC.
To conclude, I am concidering going back to this hobby as I've noticed myself getting bored and depressed not to have a hobby anymore. Sure reading the Qu'ran, Bible, Haddiths, and participating here on TTI are pleasurable and fun, but I can only do it for so long. I do other research online, too. I want to be a good person, to please Allah, and to leave this life with a history to be proud of that will enable me to join Allah and our family in Paradise: this is my main objective in life.
What are your thoughts on this matter, my dear brothers and sister? And hey, don't forget I'm your brother too if you have strong opinions against this, so please be merciful and helpful. I thank you kindly. =)
Ahmed
