The Western Wave and the Decline of Morality: A Study of Entertainment Ethics (Healing) from an Islamic Perspective

Abstract

The penetration of Western culture through healing entertainment media has become a widespread global phenomenon that deeply influences the behavior, moral values, and cultural identity of Muslim societies. This cultural wave, dominated by Western secular thought, often promotes values such as individualism, materialism, hedonism, and moral relativism, which stand in contrast to the ethical and spiritual foundations of Islam. This study aims to critically examine the impact of Western culture on the phenomenon of moral decline among Muslims through healing entertainment, as well as to explore Islamic ethical principles concerning entertainment. Using a qualitative approach and a literature study method, this research draws from classical Islamic sources, contemporary scholarly works, and modern socio-cultural analyses. The findings show that the uncritical consumption of Western entertainment contributes to the weakening of moral awareness, the normalization of permissive behavior, and the erosion of Islamic identity. From an Islamic perspective, entertainment is permissible as long as it remains within the limits of Sharia, encourages spiritual well-being, and promotes social harmony. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of developing critical media awareness and producing entertainment based on Islamic ethics grounded in tawhid (monotheism), wasatiyyah (moderation), and akhlaq (moral virtue) as a means to preserve the moral integrity and cultural resilience of Muslim societies.