Is a Man Considered a Dayyūth for Installing a Satellite Dish in his Home

22-6-2026 | IslamWeb

Question:

If someone installs Dish TV in their home and has a wife and children, does that person fall into the category of a dayyooth?"

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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.

If the intended use of installing a satellite dish is to receive permissible channels, news, or beneficial programs, then this has no connection to the description of dayyūth at all. This is because this device is essentially a tool that can be used for either good or harm. If it is purchased with the intention of good, virtue, and permissible content, then there is no harm in it. Otherwise, it is prohibited.

As for a man’s negligence regarding channels that contain pornography and other forbidden material, and his indifference toward the danger such content poses in corrupting his family, or his acceptance of indecent and immoral content for them, along with his failure to fulfill his responsibility of guidance and advice toward his household—this is considered a form of negligence in responsibility and a betrayal of trust. And a man is undoubtedly responsible for those under his care.

However, issuing a judgment upon a person with the label “dayyūth” requires establishing the complete legal meaning of the term, and it cannot be applied simply because someone is negligent, overpowered, or unaware of the seriousness of the matter.

A dayyūth, in Islamic jurisprudence – as mentioned in the Kuwaiti Encyclopedia of Fiqh – means: “A man who has no protective jealousy (ghayrah) over his family and maḥārim.” (End quote)

Ibn Qudāmah stated in his famous work Al-Mughnī: "Ibrāhīm Al-Ḥarbī said: 'The dayyūth is the one who allows men to enter upon his wife.' And Tha‘lab said: 'The qurtubān (dayyūth) is the one who is pleased for men to enter upon his women…'" (End quote)

And Allah Knows best