The status of role-playing in video games: A case study on Grand Theft Auto Online from the Islamic perspective
Keywords:
Grand Theft Auto Online, role-playing game (RPG), cross-gender role-playing, free mixing, ethical guidelinesAbstract
The rapid development of digital technology has developed video games into complex social spaces that go well beyond entertainment. Therefore, it raises new ethical issues with respect to video games from an Islamic perspective. This research examines role-playing in Grand Theft Auto Online (GTA Online) from an Islamic perspective, focusing on cross-gender role-playing (tasyabbuh), and virtual free mixing (ikhtilat). Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study employs an analytical strategy that utilizes descriptive, inductive, and deductive approaches to identify classical fiqh principles, current scholarly opinions, and related fatwas concerning modern virtual gaming. The results demonstrate that online gaming is fundamentally permissible in terms of the legal maxim al-asl fi al-ashya’ al-ibahah; therefore, its permissibility becomes dependent upon the nature of the gameplay, the player’s intentions, and the consequences of their actions. Practices like gender-swapping and free mixing interaction in virtual environments raise ethical concerns with Islamic values related to truthfulness and modesty. This study concludes that although participating in GTA Online is not inherently haram (prohibited), Muslim gamers are required to follow ethical guidelines based upon the maqasid al-shariah in order to ensure responsible participation that safeguards faith, intellect, and moral integrity.
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