ATTENTION: This translation is not the official translation. Please refer to the original website as this translation may not be accurate. The original website can be reached via this link (http://www.muftiwp.gov.my/index.php/perkhidmatan-s/bl/1116-bayan-linnas-siri-66-integriti-data-peribadi-dan-kesihatan-pemain-selamatkah-pokemon-go) Any corrections are almost welcomed. Gotta read ‘em all. :D
Preface
Alhamdulillah. All praise to Allah, Highest Salutation and Peace upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his households, his companions and upon whom that follows his footstep until the Day of Judgement.
We are pleased to response an inquiry that brought to us, and with all information gathered, we shall able to deduce verdict which we will discuss hereby.
Introduction to Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO(tm) is a mobile application game which utilized augmented reality and location-based technology. This application was developed by Niantic Inc. in collaboration with International Pokemon Company and Nintendo Co. Ltd, and downloadable via device on both platforms Android and IOS.
The game was released throughout parts of the continent starting 6th of July 2016 globally and covers the region of Australia, New Zealand, United States, German, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greek, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
For Asia region, the game only available for Japan and Indonesia, where player can enjoy the content there, but other Asian country such as Malaysia, Thailand and The Philippines, it is yet to be officially launched. Despite that, player still able to play the game for instance in China, by using GPS Spoofing application which manipulates GPS software in order to use the officially launched country map.
GAMEPLAY
Here, we listed down the Pokemon GO gameplay:
- Only require GPS activation on device, the application will detect Pokemon nearby, and notification will pop-up on the screen.
- The application require player to move and walk in places in order to catch the virtual monster on the screen.
- The game can be played as single player and multiplayer.
- Player can have a match using their Pokemon captured to be trained with other players.
- Player can leave captured Pokemon in Gym which defeated to secure the owned area from other player or group.
FATWAS ON POKEMON AND POKEMON GO
Syeikh Prof. Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradhawi
In 2001, Syeikh Prof. Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradhawi released fatwa on prohibition towards both Pokemon’s animations and game. He argued that the prohibition is relevant in order to preserve mind (aqal), creed, children’s behaviour, and to protect their property from wastefulness, other than criticizing the parents for being lean and unaware towards their children in this matter. He also stated that his fatwa is released when parents that concern about their child’s development, wanting to follow Islamic way and had asked him, and he also has consulted experts and scholars including artists and art performer for their opinion as well. He concluded the reasons for such prohibition:
- Risk for Muslim creed as Pokemon is based on Darwin’s Theory which popularly known for evolution theory, which advocates that organism change due to time and surrounding.
- Harmful for children’s mind because it was created by fantasy which is not include the element of naql and aql.
- Pokemon encourage negative personality development towards children and relationship in their circulation due to element of ‘fighting’ and promoting ‘only the strongest prevail’ sentiment.
- It encourages intimidation and hostile condition, resembling ongoing war environment.
- Can lead to gambling, possibilities.
- Contain depiction and symbols like six pointed star which may have link to freemasonry and Zionism.
ULAMA HIGHER COMMITTEE OF SAUDI ARABIA
Haiah Kibar Ulama Saudi of Arabia also released fatwa that Pokemon GO is not Islamic but did not mention about the mobile application Pokemon GO. Several reasons pointed out, such as the monster characters in the series possess unusual power, may lead to deviation because it follows the nature’s evolution theory. So that the element of polytheism of multiplying figures and possibility lead to gambling.
AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY
Representative of Al-Azhar University, Syeikh Prof. Dr. Abbas Syuman stated that he do not encourage Muslim youth to play Pokemon GO in fear of addiction. He also compared the negative effect of playing the game with the condition who is drunk due to intoxicant. Later, Syeikh Abbas in his official Facebook Account posted that he never say that the game is prohibited but rather emphasizing the negative affect of addiction and the risk of accident involvement while capturing the Pokemon.
COUNTRIES THAT BAN
In Saudi Arabia, The Communications and Information Technology Commission Government of Saudi Arabia warned that Pokemon GO and game alike can threat the player, as their location exposed to unknown party and can be used maliciously. This include hackers, privacy breach and robbery threat.
Authority of Kuwait and Egypt prior to this have warned that the game is at risk as it could lead player to sensitive locations such as Palace, mosques, gas station and military base. Ahmed Badawi, Vice Chief of Communication of Egyptian Government, urged authority to withheld Pokemon GO game for possible threat of exposing national security to the outside world. Meanwhile, Hamdi Bakheet, Egyptian national defense and security official told the Egyptian parliament that Pokemon GO application may act as a sly attempt by outsider to make espionage upon Egyptian and the country.
So that the case with Turkey’s Imam Association that urged to ban the game as it may cause disturbance on the harmony of sacredness in worshiping areas, when the player enters mosque premise with only intent to catch that virtual monsters. Indonesian Government forbid police officers play Pokemon GO while on duty and this ban will soon being effective for military official as well.
Police force spokesperson, Boy Rafli Amar told that police officer have received the order nationwide and in effect 19 June 2016. Government worried if police officer become addicted and it will affect their performance and service to the community as well as their focus.
This order prompted shortly after a man of French national was detained due to trespassing military area in Java Island while playing Pokemon GO. This incident spark uneasiness as its built-in high tech has the potential to be used as spying device. “Pokemon GO do looks cute, but if you watch it closely, there something wrong in it.” told Ryamizard Ryacudu, Indonesian Defense Minister.
VERDICT RESULT BY SYARA’ VERDICT CONSULTATION COMMITTEE OF FEDERAL TERRITORY
On 1st of August 2016 equivalent to 27th Syawal 1437H, the Syara’ Verdict Consultation Committee have discussed and decided that Pokemon GO game and Pokemon it is not allowed for Muslim based on nas (textual) and concern of public interest and the harm it caused. Therefore, it is hoped that Muslim community especially in the Federal Territory not involve with this application.
FEDERAL TERRITORY MUFTI’S STATEMENT
After reviewing the scholars and their fatwas, we find that their fatwas are have strong reasoning and (one should) avoid Pokemon GO game and Pokemon itself if the game result harmful consequence. For this stance, it is accurate with the Prophet (PBUH) saying:
لَا ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ
Meaning: “One does not make harm and bring harm upon other.”
[Hadith Ahmad]
Furthermore, admitting power and godlike element which possess special power in addition to gambling inclination, therefore we believe that the argument that supported the verdict on prohibition of Pokemon GO, have a strong base. Pokemon GO, as several incidents have been occurred, justifying that it can lead to:
Risk of espionage act by outsider Violation of personal privacy Safety issue such as accident Negligence Extreme addiction to gadget Loss of focus about surrounding Emotion disturbance such as anger issue due to defeat Leads to bad behaviour Threat toward work and study
This is in accordance to the method of Sadd al-Dzari’ah (blocking the means to evil). We endorse people to choose game that build up a good mind, do not shirk, and no superstition believes of nonsense. May this clarification, will bring us more understanding about bringing life according to syara’ way. Remember, that we are not created in vain, but we have purpose and goal which is a servant of God that keep responsible as successor “khalifah” in this world.
Allah mentioned in Quran:
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Meaning: “Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?”
Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:115
We end this by this supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ أَرِنَا الحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارزُقنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ وَأَرِنَا البَاطِلَ بَاطِلاً وَارزُقنَا اجتِنَابَهُ
Meaning: “O our Lord! Show us the truth as truth, and bestow adherence to it on us. Show us the evil as evil, and make us stay away from it, and do not confuse us regarding the reality of evil so that we will not be led astray by it, and make us leaders for the believers.
Your brother in Islam,
Sahibus Samahah Datuk Dr. Zulkifli bin Mohamad al-Bakri
Federal Territory Mufti 5 Ogos 2016 M eq. 2 Zulkaedah 1437 H
