If a Muslim can be actor, is there anything about acting that a Muslim must avoid to do?
Can males and females act in the same stage together? In what situations they're allowed and in what situations they aren't?
Can a Muslim practice blasphemy while acting for his character does? Can he act as a person of other religion? If this is possible, a Muslim woman can leave the hijab to play her role?
In my country, Islamic Republic of Iran, we have a legitimate and Islamic cinema industry by law but one that is carefully regulated by our Cultural Ministry. Film makers are not allowed to legally record movies that endorse, normalize, or promote behavior or thoughts that violate Islam. Since the foundation of Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 which ushered in a historical opportunity for a full-blown Islamic sociocultural life, thousands of movies have been made for the purpose of promoting Islam, from those featuring the history of Islam to those promoting Islamic faith, ethics etc. Here are some examples:
Therefore our experience shows that not only an Islamically permissible cinema industry can be possible to a very good extent but also that the industry can be even used for promoting Islamic ends.
But outside an Islamic sociocultural community where filmmakers don't or are not required to observe Islamic boundaries (at least on the level of the final outcome), on a personal level, I believe, it is very hard to be in acting job without compromising one's Islamic faith. Because for example in a romantic movie, you may have to act scenes of emotional exchange with a person of the opposite sex which is hardly permissible under normal circumstances (this is even common in our regulated cinema industry in Iran). Or you may have to do things that undoubtedly violate sharia laws, such as shaking hands/hugging a member of the opposite sex, drinking (graver examples of un-Islamic behavior legally forbidden in our regulated cinema), and there is more.
So I'd say, especially in a secular movie industry, you may have hard time acting and at the same time staying faithful to your religious convictions. You may have to be selective, only accepting involvement in those movies that don't require you to act in un-Islamic scenes.
Acting is allowed for the female as long as she does not violate any Islamic rules while doing so.
Taking off the hijab during the act is not permissible, nor is blasphemy. There are two reasons for this. The first is that the hijab is not allowed in Islam as is practicing blasphemy. The second reason is that even if taking off the hijab or practicing blasphemy is for the act it promotes doing so in real life
If one was thinking of acting and would like to follow Islamic procedures I would advise them to avoid taking a role in which they would have to break the rules of Islam outside acting. Of course if one was acting as a career they would attain publicity and that exposes much of ones private life. It is best to stay away from such a career that raises controversy on its limitations.
Life on earth is short. If you want to act then that is up to you but just remember Allah is your creator, the one and only and he will decide your future in the afterworld. Avoid such job where there is some risk or a career that raises controversy on its limitations. Modelling and acting. Both are one of the most debatable topics in islam. You may act and model. Both are halal to do so BUT ONLY IF YOU FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS!!!!! You must never take hijab off. Never be in a role where you have a relationship with a man especially a love relation. also blasphemy is absolutely BANNED. Wear appropriate clothing. Plus all the other rules that apply in islam must not be broken.
