Among those who live a worldly life without any attachment to religion, their understanding of entertainment is that this is what life is all about. Many people live their lives for entertainment. They want to have fun even though they work and earn money. Allah says:

أَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, then for them (are) Gardens (of) Refuge (as) hospitality for what they used (to) do.” (Surah As-Sajdah 32:19)

The money is used to purchase more means of entertainment. Each individual has a different choice and preference what include entertainment for them. But generally, entertainment is a form of activity that makes us happy or feeling fun and enjoyment. Allah says:

وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تِجَارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا قُلْ مَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ

“But when they saw a transaction or a diversion, (O Muhammad), they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, ‘What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allah is the best of providers.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah: 62:11)

Entertainment will give us as a human being a pleasure and its form will be various depending on what the person likes. The majority can be a form in music, drama, hobbies, television, festival, games and other performances. Basically how people see entertainment will vary depending on their interest in something. Allah says:

هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ

“This (is) their hospitality (on the) Day (of) Judgment.” (Surah Al Waqiah)

Muslims must be aware of any kind of entertainment around them since sometimes it could not be separated from harammatter. Once people like on something the greedy side of mankind will arise it is a basic nature of mankind. Allah says:

أَفَحَسِبَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَن يَتَّخِذُوا عِبَادِي مِن دُونِي أَوْلِيَاءَ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ نُزُلًا

“Do then think those who disbelieve that they (can) take My servants besides Me (as) protectors? Indeed, We – We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers (as) a lodging.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:102 )

Some people think that sport is a part of the entertainment and some others believe that contemplation, reading a book, playing with their family, or just laying in silence as an entertainment. Especially for someone who already works fully for a day, a piece of an hour rest is entertainment for Him. Allah says:

نُزُلًا مِّنْ غَفُورٍ رَّحِيمٍ

“A hospitable gift from (the) Oft-Forgiving, (the) Most Merciful.” (Surah Fussilat 41:32)

Since there are no boundaries from the word entertainment itself. As Muslims we must know when to stop and set a limitation on how to consume entertainment,  prayer and worship must be our priority to spend our time.

Some notes must be remembered by Muslims as follow:

1. The intention of doing entertainment
2. A Good Entertainment According to Islam
3. It should not consume too much of our time
4. Entertainment must differ from haram things
5. Muslims should not be consumed by Entertainment
6. Better Find an Entertainment Recommended by Rasulullah

For Muslims, entertainment is not the sole goal and purpose of life but the blessing for Allah SWT did. We could perform entertainment and accept enjoyment but Muslims must remember that it is only a matter of Dunya (temporal world) and our purpose is to get blessed and glory in akhirah (hereafter).

The word diversion above is believed to have the same meaning of entertainment or an activity that could estrange us from worship. Since the meaning of Muslims to be living in this world is seeking for the blessed of Allah SWT, worship Him, do His command. Allah says:

وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تِجَارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا قُلْ مَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ

“And when they saw a transaction or a sport, they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, “What (is) with Allah (is) better than the sport and from (any) transaction. And Allah (is the) Best (of) the Providers.” (Surah Al Jumuah 62:11)

Even there is an issue about the halal and haram of entertainment, but till now there is no strict rule that has proven it as haram nor halal. But as long as entertainment could fulfil the following requirements:

• Our time won’t consume too much by entertainment, there must be a time limit of when we consume it in a day since Allah SWT hate His people if they waste their time
• Entertainment must exclude the haram element in their content.
• If it is a visual performance then highly recommend using proper clothes and accessories and closing the intimate parts (aurat)
• Separate men and women who are not mahram
• Exclude it contains and place from a haram thing
• The purpose of entertainment should be for good and it would be better if contents praise for Allah SWT
• Entertainment made to give relaxation and fun for us in our free time then it should not consume our wealth or resources

Even as explained before that Allah SWT prohibited us from doing a useless thing, it does not mean that we as Muslims cannot have fun and feel enjoyment. Entertainment is still allowed in Islam as long as it is done in full of moderation and Muslims must clear the intention of entertainment for example just to release our stress after work in a day. Allah says:

فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

‘Then when is concluded the prayer, then disperse in the land and seek from (the) Bounty of Allah, and remember Allah much so that you may succeed.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:10)

The need for entertainment is more significant in young children. Islam advises parents to explain entertainment guidelines for their children based on the present time. Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا

“Indeed, those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be Gardens (of) the Paradise (as) a lodging.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:107)

Therefore the main thing that Muslims should do is worship and perform a good deed. Muslims must avoid any kind of activities that only bring them to disobedience, harmless, wasteful, and kept them away from the rule of Islam. Allah says:

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

“And they say, “When (will be) this decision if you are truthful?” (Surah As-Sajdah 32:28)

Parents cannot expect their children to have fun in the same manner which they had in their childhood. We must entertain ourselves by Islamic guidelines. We should try to be flexible and innovative in choosing activities. An intelligent person maintains a well-balanced life.