Yes, according to the reference provided, watching romance can be considered Haram (forbidden) in Islam.
The rationale is primarily based on the prohibition of looking at non-Mahram (individuals of the opposite gender who are not close relatives and therefore marriageable) with desire or lust. Romance often depicts interactions and portrayals of relationships between non-Mahram individuals, which can lead to temptation and potentially violate Islamic principles regarding modesty and guarding one's gaze.
Here's a breakdown:
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Looking at Non-Mahram: Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of lowering one's gaze and avoiding unnecessary interactions with non-Mahram individuals. Romance movies or shows often feature intimate scenes, dialogues, and physical contact that could be considered impermissible to watch.
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Content of the Series/Movies: The reference also points out that creating and watching series/movies that contain images of living beings and fake representations of personalities could also be problematic from an Islamic perspective.
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Potential for Fitna (Temptation/Discord): Watching romantic content can arouse desires and emotions that may lead to harmful thoughts or actions. Islamic teachings encourage individuals to protect themselves from such temptations.
In summary, the view presented suggests that watching romance is not permissible due to the potential for violating Islamic guidelines regarding interactions with non-Mahram, the nature of the content often depicted, and the risk of temptation.