Q: I have been acting in plays and stuff ever since I was in Elementary
School and it really has become my passion. I can't see myself really doing
anything else when I grow up. So I want to take my acting career up a notch. I
was wondering if it was ok for a Muslim to act in a movie or on tv.
Are there any exceptions? Because I was told a lot that I have major talent in
acting and that I can get an offer to play a role in a tv program. I do know
what scenes I can and can't do. Because I have plans of what to do with my
money. One of the first things I wanted to do with my money was build a masjid
and if like a tv program interviews me, I can also give dawat.
3. If not, again, aren't it the intentions that Muslims will be judged on?
Because I plan to do nothing bad and I will remain being a faithful Muslim.
A: Jazakallah for writing to the institute with your query.
You ask if it is acceptable for a Muslim to choose the movies as his life career. You also state that you would like to make contributions towards building masjids and making dawaah.
Brother, Allah Ta'ala created this world for our pleasure and use. However, He created us for one purpose only, that is to worship and give thanks to Him. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran verse (2:143), "We have made you a nation, a well integrated community, a balanced Ummah, so that you may be witnesses over other people and the messenger a witness over you."
You are from the Ummah of Allah Ta'ala's most excellent creation, Nabi (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam). He was sent to this earth as a mercy for all of mankind till the end of time. He taught us how to be Muslims and he set examples for us in every aspect of our lives. It is due to his selfless sacrifices, suffering and love for us that this beautiful deen reached the far corners of the world and that is how we have been fortunate to be born as Muslims. Washing his own clothes, cleaning the house, tending to the sheep and doing mundane work were all honorable tasks as far as he was concerned. Yet we know that he was Allah Ta'ala's most excellent Creation.
A Muslim is one who submits fully to the will of Allah Ta'ala. This also means accepting all the commands laid down by Allah Ta'ala in the Quran and in practicing and following the examples of Nabi (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam).
Alhamdulillah, you say you have been granted a certain talent. This means you are articulate in your speech. You are probably endowed with a clear, solid and loud voice which gets it's message across easily. You probably also have a good memory as you have many lines to learn and act out. You can perhaps speak several languages and express yourself in many moods etc. These abilities and talents have not evolved from any of your own efforts. Every faculty that you have is totally dependent on Allah Ta'ala's mercy.
I would like you to ponder about the fact that the movie and TV industry in the US or in any part of the world for that matter is fickle and insecure. It depends on the vagaries and whims of owners, managers and people who go to any lengths to exploit those who act in their films programmers. Steady employment is never guaranteed and two bit roles come a dime a dozen in the country where you live. Keep in mind that you are a Muslim. What type of roles are you most likely to get for you to be able to maintain a lifestyle befitting a 'successful actor'? You will perhaps have to change your name to get contracts. You may perhaps have to act the villain roles and lets face it, Muslims are the villains in the Hollywood and western industry. Since there are no more 'Communists' and 'Injuns', who are the bad guys? Islam is vilified in nearly every movie (which deals with Islam or Muslims) and it is also distorted in the most grotesque forms. You cannot escape the fact that you will have to act with women in many different roles and lets face it, the sky is the limit as to which roles you will be required to play with them.
Your looks have to be of a certain 'standard'. Are you aware that 'stars'/actors undergo all sorts of cosmetic surgery to maintain those looks? Allah Ta'ala is the architect the One who shapes our bodies and appearance yet, out of sheer vanity, actors go to others to maintain their youthful appearances and whatever else. That they have to undergo starvation to fit into certain roles and binge to fit into roles which call for an obese look. An actor's job will not last more than one or two decades. What will you do after that? How will you earn a living and make a contribution to your life and to the life of others when you will not get good roles and when your acting skills dry up? You should know just how fast actors are discarded and others take their place.
Lets look at your talents again. Allow me to suggest to you that Allah Ta'ala has given you these skills for a greater purpose. You make an excellent suggestion that you would like to build masjids and do the work of dawaah. Why not learn as much as you possibly can about Islam? Memorise the Holy Quran and memories as many Hadith as possible. Attend Classes where you will learn about Islam over several years and then use your talents to do exactly what you wish to do with your money. Brother, have you heard of Malcolm X (Mr.Shabaaz)? He was a great orator, he had an excellent memory, he was articulate and he was extremely intelligent. Although he had very little formal education, he was politically active and he spread the message of Islam with his talents. He did not go cap in hand looking for jobs at any movie and TV house. His self confidence, his self reliance and his pride as a Muslim man served him perfectly with the help of Allah Ta'ala. If you use your skills in the path of Allah Ta'ala, you will be able to serve His deen in ways which will bring you success in this world and in the hereafter. You will not be breaking the rules of intermingling and being in close association with non-Mahram women. You will not be focused on your own looks and capabilities but you will rather be aware that whatever you achieve and are capable of doing, is from Allah Ta'ala. In other words whatever you do and are capable of doing will be a reflection of your contact and appreciation of your Creator's gifts to you.
As an actor, people will be focusing on you, the actor, how good is he, how handsome is he, how eligible is he. It comes with the territory that pride will enter your heart because they say "you are so good!". Yet when you will be involved in using those same skills for the purposes of Allah Ta'ala's deen, people will be paying attention to your message. You will manage to invite people to good and exercise your gifts of tolerance, patience and respect to help someone by using your gentle speech to help them away from evil. You will help your fellow human beings and they in turn will be making dua for you.
You appear to be a young person and you have time decide which avenue to take to make the most of the gifts Allah Ta'ala has bestowed upon you. None of your talents are due to your own efforts. It is only through the mercy of Allah Ta'ala so make sure that you give due credit to your Creator. May Allah Ta'ala guide you to use the gifts He has bestowed upon you in the service of His deen. Ameen.
And Allah Ta'ala knows best.