Reading and writing fictional stories

Reference: ad-Durar an-Naadhirah fil-Fataaawa al-Mu’aasirah – Pages 644-645
al-Fowzaan – ad-Da’wah 1516, Jumaada al-Oolaa 1416AH

Question: What is the ruling regarding reading or writing fictional stories and those which arouse the imagination?

And if some of them [aid in] rectify[ing] social problems, then is this permissible?

Response: Fictional stories are from lies which occupy the time of the writer and the reader without benefit, so abandoning busying oneself with them is preferable. And if writing and reading [fictional stories] occupies oneself from that which is obligatory then this [fictional stories] is prohibited. And if it occupies oneself from that which is recommended then this [fictional stories] is disliked. In any case, the time of the Muslim is valuable, so it is not permissible to spend it in that which there is no benefit.

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

Related posts