Does Sharing a Video with Music Earn a Sin for Every Viewer?
Question: Does it mean that if I post a video containing music and one million people watch it, I receive a million sins?
Summary:
Posting a video containing sin (like music) is forbidden. Everyone who listens to the sin because of you its sin is written against you. The sin multiplies according to how many were affected by your action. Sincere repentance erases the sin, by Allah’s permission. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever calls to misguidance will bear a sin equal to the sins of those who follow him, without their sins being diminished at all.” (Narrated by Muslim) Yes, if you post a forbidden video, like one with music, and a million people watch and are affected by it, you bear a share of their sins because you caused the spread of that evil unless you sincerely repent to Allah. Then your Lord may forgive you and erase your sin. “Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” [Az-Zumar: 53]
Answer:
In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)
Spreading sin or calling others to it is among the major sins, because its harm extends beyond oneself to others.
From the Qur'an:
- [An-Nahl: 25]
“That they may bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge.”
Meaning: they will carry their own sins, along with the sins of those who were misled by them.
From the Sunnah:
- (Narrated by Muslim)The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to those who follow him, without their rewards being diminished at all; and whoever calls to misguidance will bear a sin similar to those who follow him, without their sins being diminished at all.”
This hadith is a great foundational proof showing that the sin is multiplied for the one who calls others to sin or makes it easy for them.If you post a video containing forbidden music, everyone who listens to it because of you or your post will have their sin recorded against you as well, since you were the cause of it. So if one million people watch it and listen to the music because of you, you will bear a sin equal to theirs all
- (Narrated by Muslim)The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever initiates in Islam an evil practice will bear its burden and the burden of those who act upon it after him.”
This does not mean that each sin is counted precisely by the number of views, but that everyone who commits the sin because of you adds to your share of the sin, according to your influence and cause. You may be a direct cause (such as posting it) or an indirect cause (such as re-sharing or promoting it).
From the Salaf:
- Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Whoever establishes an evil practice will bear its sin as long as it is acted upon, without the sins of those who act upon it being lessened.” Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “How many of the dead in their graves continue to bear the burden of a sin they started in life and never repented from! Beware of spreading falsehood, for its effect never dies.”
The door of repentance remains open as long as one is alive.
From the Qur'an:
- [Az-Zumar: 53]
“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah.”
You should: Delete the video immediately if you can. Repent sincerely with true regret and determination not to return to it. Seek forgiveness for everyone who watched it because of you. Spread goodness instead of evil share Qur’an, knowledge, or beneficial reminders to erase what came before.
From the Sunnah:
- (Narrated by at-Tirmidhi)The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Follow up a bad deed with a good one it will erase it.”
And Allah knows best.
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