Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Asalam-alaykum, I’ve heard that fictional stories are permissible to read and write, but I wasn’t sure under which circumstances. Now, I’ve noticed, that many youth are writing fiction. Some stories I’ve noticed contain haram love, killing and fabricating creatures and worlds. I’ve been writing but this question has been bugging me for a very long time. So I wanted to go into detail a bit about fiction writing Are these permissible? 1. Is fabricating worlds, lands (i.e such as the lands of Middle Earth by Tolkien or Narnia by Lewis.) and creatures permissible? 2. Having bloodshed (including against non-existent creatures). 3. In detail describing characters of the opposite gender (a male writer describing the complexion and characteristics of a female character, or a female writer describing a male character). 4. Unlawful situations taking place (an obvious one is kissing, but how about a character killing in rage?) does it make the story unlawful to write? 5. Finally, what if the story ends up with a message, or situations the character(s) go through which teaches or shows a person right from wrong (Including the above four) Considering these factors, is writing still permissible?
Answer:
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.
There is a difference between (a) reading stories in which there is incidental presence of unlawful matters and (b) writing such stories.
1. There is nothing in of itself wrong with coming up with imaginary worlds.
2. Description of bloodshed is permitted if it is restrained and within the limits of decency and the dignity every human (and, in fact, living) soul deserves.
3. Characters can be described, but within the limits of restraint befitting the description of others (e.g. can’t describe the specifics of the `awra or beauty of others, though general mention of them being beautiful, etc, in restrained and dignified ways would be permitted).
4. No, it is not permitted to write about unlawful situations in specifics.
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani