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I was wondering about the Islamic ruling for writing fiction? If the author is talented and has a flair for writing fiction/stories, does Islam consider that as haraam? I would like to have the answer with regards to the following genres:

  1. Suspense thrillers, slashers, detective stories, etc.
  2. Stories that are based on reality like historical incidents.
  3. Stories that are not based on historical incidents, but still teach some (Islamic) moral lesson.

Of course, this question only makes sense (Islamically) to be asked and answered if the stories do not contain indecencies or anything that clearly goes against Islam, like paranormal stuff and so on.

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  • I am curious why you think this might be against Islam? I mean, why do you doubt it; is there something specific about it that is giving you pause? – Burhan Khalid Mar 26 '14 at 7:23
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    I would just like to know if this is halaal, since I have heard (but not verified) that writing stories is equivalent to lying. So by that token, even Shakespeare is haraam. – Najeeb Mar 26 '14 at 7:37
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    @Najeeb, Story telling has been a feature in arabia for a long time, thousands of years. While some stories might have been true, some sure were false, I don't recall any event for past 1400 years that says that writing fiction is haram. WrIting stories is not haram, there are countless books written by scholars that are what you may call essentially stories like Stories of Prophets by ibn katheer. – user9301 Mar 13 '16 at 12:06
  • Found something useful here: islamqa.info/en/163469 – Najeeb Oct 26 '16 at 4:47
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Fiction is fundamentally a lie irrespective of genre and there is a very clear Hadith which prohibits a Muslim to tell a lie even while joking. Joking mostly involves false scenarios and this is what was prohibited. Writing a fiction story , essay or Idea is quantifiably more worse then a joke containing a lie.

Narrated Mu'awiyah ibn Jaydah al-Qushayri: The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) said:

“Woe to him who tells things, speaking falsely, to make people laugh thereby. Woe to him! Woe to him!” (Abu Dawuud, Kitab al Adab, 4972)

A house in Jannah is guaranteed for he who avoids lying even as a joke

Narrated Abu Umamah: The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.” (Abu Dawud, Kitab al Adab, 4782)

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I don't think there is a problem in writing fiction stories. But there are some points the writer must keep in mind:

  • The writing must not disobey ALLAH's rules in any part of writing
  • Must not face Islamic rules
  • Must not insert some writes that may affect the reader's thinking toward ALLAH or religion.
  • Must be with a moral goal to teach
  • Must not include immoral manners

In general, Islam supports everyone who tries to teach others, maybe by writings or stories or films or whatever...

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    Please provide reference – goto Mar 25 '14 at 12:16

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