This incident occurred in Pakistan. It was the month of Ramadhaan just before Iftaar. A mother told her daughter: “Help me prepare food.” The daughter replied: “Mother! It’s time for me to see a TV programme. After the programme I will help you.” Saying this the daughter went into one of the upper storey rooms where the TV was kept. She locked the door from inside fearing her mother would force her to work.

The mother continuously called her daughter but her daughter never replied. It was getting late, all the men returned home. Meals for breaking the fast were served-but the daughter did not come out of the TV room as yet. The mother knocked on the door but no sound came from inside the room. The mother became afraid, her heart began throbbing. She called her husband and sons. They broke the door and entered the room. In utter amazement they found the girl lying face downwards on the floor. On examining her they found that she had already passed away. Now the girl’s condition was as if she was “glued” to the floor. Despite efforts to lift her up, they could not. Each person tried but they just tired themselves out. While they were wondering what to do next, one of them suddenly decided to lift up the TV set. When he did that to their utter amazement, the girl also lifted, otherwise it was impossible to lift her. Finally they lowered the girl and the TV set to the ground floor. Thereafter they gave her ghusal and shrouded her. When it was time to lift up the bier, to their utter amazement, they could not do so. Finally they placed the girl in the grave, and as soon as they lifted the TV set, and set out for home the dead girl suddenly came out of her grave. Once again they laid the girl in her grave and this time too when they lifted the TV set on their way back home, the dead girl suddenly came out of her grave. Now everyone present became perplexed and worried. Finally they buried the girl with the TV set in the grave. Only Allah knows how this girl was treated in the grave.

Apart from being deemed a sinful activity when indulged in out of Ramadaan, watching TV is even more detrimental to do so in such a blessed month. The watching of TV destroys one’s good deeds as quickly and effectively as fire consumes wood. The above incident is mentioned in numerous books and there is lesson in it for those who want to follow the right path and please their Lord.

May Allah guide us all. Ameen.