Watching television becomes permissible when a Muslim is watching something lawful, such as Qur'an recitation, religious talks, business reports and political news. It becomes impermissible when watching something unlawful, such as dissolute songs with evil lyrics, when men listen to women singers even if it is while performing decent songs and when watching men sway and dance while singing. In general, having a television set and watching it depends on the ruling on what is watched, whether lawful or unlawful.
Furthermore, even permissible shows can be prohibited if the person exceeds the limits in watching them and wastes much time that is better used)to benefit the person, their family and their nation.
To be on the safe side, a Muslim should better abstain from buying a television set and watching it, for it can be a means to watching and listening to what is unlawful. It can lead to Fitnah (temptation) through watching naked pictures and tempting movements. Moreover, the person who considered having a television set in the house an equal sin to Zina may have been referring to the ear committing Zina by listening to music and the eye committing Zina by watching unlawful pictures. They probably meant to repel you from having a television set and disapprove of those who have. This explanation is true but it needs elaboration to be more convincing. Allah is the One sought for help and is the source of success.
May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!
Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
[fatwaa link]
