Some Of Netflix's New Anti-Harassment Rules Are Similar To Some Islamic Lifestyle Rules

The Sun reported that Online video streaming platform company, Netflix recently updated its anti-harassment rules in response to the numerous harassment allegations revealed by victims of sexual harassment as a result of the #MeToo movement.

When approached by the Independent, Netflix declined to confirm or deny the new rules but it released a statement to the Independent saying:

"We’re proud of the anti-harassment training we offer to our productions. We want every Netflix production to be a safe and respectful working environment. We believe the resources we offer empower people on our sets to speak up, and shouldn’t be trivialized.”

According to The Sun's report, Netflix has banned workers from looking at each other for more than five seconds as part of its new anti-harassment rules:

“Looking at anyone longer than five seconds is considered creepy.”

“You mustn’t ask for someone’s number unless they have given permission for it to be distributed,”

“And if you see any unwanted behaviour, report it immediately.”

“Don’t give lingering hugs or touch anyone for a lengthy period of time,” 

“Don’t ask out a colleague more than once if they have said no,” 

“Steer clear of a colleague once they have said they are not interested in you,”

 “Don’t flirt.” 

“Shout ‘Stop, don’t do that again!’ if a colleague has been inappropriate.”


The rule: "Looking at anyone longer than five seconds is considered creepy" is similar to the 'lower your gaze' rule in Islam.

The teachings of Islam strongly emphasizes the concept of restraint and modesty in the interactions between members of the opposite sex, hence the following verse in the Qur'an:

Qur'an 24: 30:

"Say to the believing men that they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste). This is better for them."

The verse above is very similar to the teaching of Jesus (May ALLAH be pleased with him) in the Bible, Matthew 5: 27 -28 where he said:

"You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery,' but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

A command similar to that given to men in the Qur'an was also given to the women in the next verse:

Qur'an 24: 31:

"Say to the believing women that they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste); that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their Khumur (veils) over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you believers, turn you all together towards GOD, that you may attain bliss."

The rule: "Don't give lingering hugs or touch anyone for a lengthy period of time" is similar to the Islamic lifestyle rules of not touching a member of the opposite sex you are not allowed to, and not hugging people without any special reason:

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) is reported to have said: 

"If one of you were to be struck in the head with an iron needle, it would be better for him than if he were to touch a woman he is not allowed to.” (Reported by al-Tabaraani; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5045).

It was narrated that a man asked Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him): 

"O Prophet of ALLAH, when a man amongst us meets his brother, should he bow to him." The Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) replied: "No." The man asked again: "Can he hug him and kiss him? The Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) replied: "No." The man further asked: "Can he shake hands with him." The Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said: "Yes."

Hugging is allowed in Islam but it should be restricted to special occasions for people who are not relations nor married, for example hugging someone who just returned from a long journey or someone you haven't seen in a while. An hadith in relation to hugging someone who just returned from a long journey is as follows: 

Prophet Muhammad's wife, Ayisha (May ALLAH be pleased with her) reported that once Zaid Ibn Haritha (May ALLAH be pleased with him) came to al-Madina while the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) was at her home. So, when Zaid knocked the door (of our home), the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) got up to meet him, and then, the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) embraced and kissed Zaid " . [ al-Tirmidhi  who classed it as a good Hadith].

The teachings of Islam encourages victims of oppression and or harassment to help themselves by fighting back and ensuring justice is served, thus, movements like the #MeToo movement which gave victims of sexual harassment a voice and the opportunity to seek justice are encouraged:

Qur'an: 42: 41 - 42:

“As for those who, after having been treated badly, bring about justice themselves, against them no action can be taken. Action will only be taken against those who are unjust to men and who without reason, become violent on earth - these are the ones who will receive a painful punishment” 

Qur'an: 22: 39 - 40:

“Those who have been attacked are given permission to defend themselves because they have been unjustly oppressed - ALLAH is powerful enough to save them - and the same applies to those who have been unjustly chased from their homes just because they said: ‘Our Lord is ALLAH!’ If ALLAH had not stopped certain people by means of others, monasteries, synagogues, churches and mosques where the name of ALLAH is invoked often would have been demolished. Yes, ALLAH will save those who help His cause. ALLAH is, in truth, strong and powerful.”

The lasting rewards of the afterlife are also promised in the Qur'an for those who "when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) fight back."

Qur'an: 42: 36 - 39:

36 - "So whatever thing you have been given - it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with ALLAH is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their LORD rely."

37 - "And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive"

38 - "And those who have responded to their LORD and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend."

39 - “And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) fight back.”

The similarities between some of Netflix's new anti-harassment rules and some Islamic lifestyle rules reminded us of this Abraham Lincoln quote:

"Sir, my concern is not whether GOD is on our side, my greatest concern is to be on GOD's side for GOD is always right."