New Delhi, Nov. 9 :    New Delhi, Nov. 9:  Television is proving to be a great leveller. Muslim clergy has issued a fatwa in favour of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Sawaal Dus Crore Ka and similar game shows that promise instant fortune to participants. A large number of Muslim organisations and individuals had sought fatwas from Nadwa and Deoband theological schools asking whether participating in these programmes and earning money were halal (permissible) in accordance with sharia. And the answer is a unanimous 'yes'. Muftis (jurists) and ulemas (scholars) have gone a step further admitting that they get glued to television sets when the programmes were aired. Making a distinction from lotteries, jackpots and other forms of gambling that are prohibited under Islamic laws, the scholars said quiz programmes require knowledge and presence of mind. Thus, it is a test of one's intellect, one's dimaak. 'There is nothing wrong, illegal or distasteful about them,' said Maulana Salman Nadwi, a renowned Islamic scholar from Lucknow's Nadwa school that is recognised and respected by Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries. Deoband, another prominent seat of Islamic learning near Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, endorsed the Nadwa school's verdict, pointing out that these game shows were 'productive, interesting' and aimed at enhancing one's knowledge. The Deoband scholars feel that such programmes will motivate people to educate themselves and improve their general knowledge. They agree that luck did play a small role in the KBC or SDCK series but never to the extent of making 'chance' the only factor. A person who has not done his homework can hardly expect to sail through a significant distance in either of the game shows. KBC is particularly popular. Apart from the imposing presence of the Big B, the community is happy with the quality of questions selected for the programme. 'There are several references to Islamic history, culture and religious matters that are factual and interesting. It helps others to know Islam better,' said Naim-ur-Rahman Siddiqui, a scholar from Nadwa. The fact that the game shows are not downplaying the country's Islamic past is satisfaction enough for the scholars. Several of KBC questions centre around Islamic architecture and the Mughal period. The clergy's response to quiz shows is significant as orthodox sections had viewed TV as an 'evil' primarily responsible for the decline in moral standards.