Islamic Radio Stations

Q : Nowadays there are a number of Islamic radio stations and satellite channels. What is the ruling in Islam of listening to these broadcasts?

A: Radio has to be understood on the following principle: ‘Its good is good and its bad is bad’. In other words, it has good and it has bad. The good comprises Deeni programs from qualified Ulema, news on Muslims around the world, investigative journalism on issues affecting the Muslim World, announcements that are important to the general public, etc. The evil side of radio is in the form of programs that are un-Islamic or that have un-Islamic content, promotion of views or beliefs that are contrary to Quran and Sunnah, violation of hijaab, etc. The ruling for all this is that the good may be listened to, but the evil must be shunned. Such a choice is up to the user or listener of the Radio.