The following Fataawa are about educational cartoons. The first is by Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan and the second is by the Lajnah Ad Daaimah (The Permanent Committee).
ما حكم تربية الأطفال بأفلام الكرتون الهادفة التي فيها فائدة ,وتربيتهم على الأخلاق الحميدة؟
الجواب:
الله حرم الصور, وحرم اقتنائها فكيف نربي عليها أولادنا ؟! كيف نربيهم على شيء حرام ؟!على صور محرمة وتماثيل متحركة ناطقة أشبه ما تكون بالإنسان , هذا تصوير شديد , ولا يجوز تربية الأطفال عليه .وهذا ما يريده الكفار, يريدون أن نُخالف ما نهى عنه الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم فالرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى عن الصور وعن استعمالها واقتنائها(1).
وهؤلاء يروجونها بين الشباب وبين المسلمين بحجة التربية, هذه تربية
فاسدة, والتربية الصحيحة أن تعلمهم ما ينفعهم في دينهم ودنياهم
Shaikh Salih Al Fawzaan was asked:
What is the ruling on nurturing children upon Cartoons of which the goal is to benefit them and teach them good manners?
The Shaikh said: Allaah made pictures Haraam, and it is Haraam to acquire them so how can we nurture our children upon them?? How can we nurture them upon something that is Haraam, upon pictures that are Haraam and drawings that move and speak and are similar to human beings? This is an evil picture and it is unlawful to nurture children upon it.
From Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
Q: What is the ruling on watching and buying islamic animated-cartoon movies, given that these movies present purposeful and beneficial stories for children which promote good character, dutifulness to parents, honesty, offering Salah (Prayer) regularly and the like. These animated movies are intended as good substitutes for television which has become widespread. However, the problem we face is related to the fact that such movies present hand-drawn pictures of humans and animals. Is it permissible to watch these animated cartoons? Please advise. May Allah reward you with the best!
A: It is not permissible to buy, sell or use cartoon movies, because they include Haram pictures. Raising children should be done in ways that are Islamically acceptable with regard to teaching, disciplining, encouraging them to offer Salah and taking good care of them.
May Allaah make it easy for us to do that which pleases Him. and may He grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa salaam), his family and Companions.