What is the ruling on playing “The Sims” (computer game)?

Question: 174522

I would like to ask about the ruling on playing a game called “The Sims”, which is a 3-D game. It is a game in which the player makes a family, builds a house and controls characters.

I hope that the fatwa will be specifically about this particular game. You can research about it on the net, because it is very well-known and widely available. I want to know whether it is permissible to play it or not. I have read a number of fatwas about computer games, but I am still confused. I hope that you will give a fatwa specifically about this particular game, so that I can tell those who play the game about it. May Allah reward you with good.

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

We are
appalled by what we have seen of clips from this game – especially in the
second and third versions, and there is no evil action or immoral deed but
it exists in this filthy game. It also contains music, dancing, wanton
display of beauty, drinking alcohol, complete nakedness of men and women,
illicit relationships between the sexes, kissing and touching private parts;
it is so bad that there is even committing fornication completely, which is
not found even in ordinary movies! And all of that is with the excuse that
they are animated characters, as if the one who watches it will never be
affected by what he sees and that it will never be provocative. The game
includes “university life”, “nightlife,” and “New Year holiday” in which
there is dancing, singing, kissing and illicit relationships, and Santa
Claus appears to distribute gifts to the children. We do not know, by Allah,
how any Muslim could accept to allow his daughter or his wife or even his
son to play this evil game. This is natural in the life of Western families,
who has deviated from all decent behaviour and noble characteristics, and
there are those who want this to be natural in the life of Muslim families
too.

We
have previously discussed the prohibition on looking at cartoons that
include nakedness and permissiveness, in the answer to question
167710.

Based
on that, it is not permissible for a Muslim to upload this game or play it,
and it is not permissible for him to allow any member of his family to do
that. Whoever does that is neglecting his flock for whom Allah, may He be
exalted, has made him responsible and he is failing in his duty to advise
them and to pay attention to their upbringing, behaviour and attitude.

We
have issued a fatwa specifically about pornographic cartoons, their real
nature, the danger they pose, and the ruling on them. See question no.
115149

And
Allah knows best.

Source:

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