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Fatwa CenterNo Islamic Preponderant Benefit in Seeing Films
Question
salam. its a fiqhi principle that a small harm can be tolerated for a greater benefit. the entertainment industry is full of haram and we have very few halal alternatives. so we need halal songs, movies, etc. to produce halal songs and movies, we need to learn the technology(in case of movies, which might involve watching some scened with women without proper Hijab, for example) or listen to some songs that have music(if the lyrics is halal), not to enjoy music, but to learn more songs with halal lyrics so that they can be sung without music. in light of the fiqhi principle mentioned, will these acts be halal for one who wants to specialize in either producing Islamic movies/voice-only Nasheeds?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, the rule that you have referred to is correct in general, but the definition of that benefit which is predominant over the disadvantage does not depend on the whims of the people and their desires.
There is no doubt that there is no Islamic preponderant benefit that allows the Muslim to listen to songs accompanied by music. The example that you mentioned does not fall under that rule.
The fact that a person wants to learn songs whose words are permissible is not a preponderant Islamic benefit.
There are so many old and contemporary poems that are permissible and which one can benefit from without having to listen to music. Also, there are so many poets, authors, and writers who say purposeful statements from which one can benefit in this context.
In addition to this, there is no Islamic preponderant benefit that makes it permissible to see forbidden movies. Indeed, it is not permissible for a Muslim, even for a specialist in film production, to listen to or watch those forbidden films.
For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 342826 and 360949.
Allah knows best.
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