Will he be sinning if he continues to use the computer although it is damaging his sight?

Question: 108657

I spend most of my time in front of the computer screen. As you know the its rays harm the eye sight. I do not use glasses to protect my eyes. This weakened my sight and I cannot see things clearly, all due to these rays. I know that Allah says: “Do not throw yourselves into destruction”

My question is: am I considered sinful as expose myself to harm while Allah forbade this? Please bear in mind that I do not use the computer to watch or read haram materials I only use it for research and gaining Islamic knowledge.

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

It is not permissible for
you to continue to neglect your eyesight and cause damage to it. Even if you
do not care about something that will cause harm to you, Islam does not
approve of it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
forbade all kinds of damage and harm, as he said: “There should be neither
harming nor reciprocating harm.” Narrated by Ibn Majaah (2340).

Al-Shaatibi (may Allaah
have mercy on him) said in al-Muwaafaqaat (3/16):

Harming and reciprocating
harm are forbidden in sharee’ah, and there is a great deal of evidence to
that effect, such as n the verses (interpretation of the meaning):

“But do not take them
back to hurt them”

[al-Baqarah 2:231]

“and do not harm them”

[al-Talaaq 65:6].

There is also the
prohibition on transgressing against people, property and honour, and
robbing and wronging others. All of that is included in the meanings of
harming and reciprocating harm. That also includes offences against people,
or causing harm to their mental health, offspring or property.

So it is a concept which is
very broad in application in sharee’ah. End quote.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah
have mercy on him) said: Everything that harms a person with regard to his
religious commitment or worldly concerns, it is haraam for him to consume
it, whether it is poison, tobacco or anything else that is harmful, because
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and do not throw
yourselves into destruction”

[al-Baqarah 2:195].

And the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There should be neither harming
nor reciprocating harm.” End quote.

Majmoo’ al-Fataawa
(6/23-24).

Strive to follow the
doctors’ advice in the way you use the computer, and pay attention to the
means that will not harm your eyes. Seek forgiveness from Allaah for your
past heedlessness, and do not neglect your health or neglect yourself in the
future. All of this is by the blessing of Allaah which you should preserve.
Then if it continues to harm your eyes, after you have taken all protective
measures, then there will be no sin on you, in sha Allaah, rather you will
be rewarded if you are patient and seek reward with Allaah.

We ask Allaah to grant us
and you health and well being.

See also the answer to
question no. 107305.

And Allaah knows best.

Source:

Islam Q&A

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