In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Question to Shaikh Firkoos [may Allaah preserve him]:

It is permissible to install the internet in one’s house?

The Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] stated: The internet is from those Wasaa’il [i.e. means] that take the same ruling as their aims. And its distinction from the television is that it is controlled based on choice, with the possibility of using a program that can prevent one from accessing sites of corruption and that which corrupts [people]. The internet is not like television because TV programs are imposed and based on a deliberate action plan- and the entire program is not without a call to debauchery, moral decadence and evil manners; [وَاللهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الفَسَادَ – And Allaah does not like corruption]. [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayah 205]

Therefore, the means leading to the best aim is the best means, and the most repugnant aim is connected to the most repugnant means, and there is that which is in between the two. And what remains regarding this affair is the strength of a person’s Eemaan, steadfastness and truthful determination. So, if he is strong in utilising the internet in good, then it is good; but if he fears for the weakness of his Eemaan and [fears] falling into that which Allaah is not pleased with, then he leaves it for the sake of Allaah. [وَمَنْ تَرَكَ شَيْئًا للهِ عَوَّضَهُ اللهُ خَيْرًا مِنْهُ -whoever abandons something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will replace it for him with something better]. [Abridged and paraphrased. See link: https://ferkous.com/home/?q=fatwa-570 ]