A Theoretical Attempt at Discovering Islamic Normative Stance towards Entertainment

One of the fundamental and primary needs of human being is the need for entertainment and filling in the leisure time in various creative ways. This need is usually met in various ways and according to the individual and social understandings and demands as well as environmental facilities, In the past, entertainment was mixed with work and activity in the regular process of life without considering special preparations towards managing it. It was mainly a concern of children and teenagers or the upper class of the society. However, it is changed nowadays to one of the public opportunities distinct from the usual process of official work and activity which seriously requires policy making, planning, making preparations, and allocating facilities. Considering the institutionalization of all mechanisms toward social needs, meeting this need has also been left to a body of social organizations and institutions ranging from national to international levels. The question of the present article is: what is the position of Islam as a religion and as a social meta-institution in the Islamic society in Iran, towards this need and its requirements. What are the general features of normative outlines derived from Islamic shari’ah towards meeting this need? Accusing religions of disregarding, or even opposing, this type of needs, and the dislike or reluctance of most of believers and followers of religions to this kind of activities have made studying and taking necessary positions in this regard as one of the most serious and necessary needs in the field of religious investigations touching social demands.