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Fatwa CenterReading fictitious novels for enjoyment
Question
I have been raised in Canada, and now I live in U.S.A. I know good English. I enjoy reading novels (long fictitious stories) a lot. But I am wondering if this is okay in Islam? Is it Halal or Haram? Or does it depend on the kind of book? I mostly like to read old-fashioned books, that are entertaining, but they are not just about silly love, or horror stories. They have some interesting lessons, and they are enjoyable. Please answer my question. It is important to me.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to read the novels containing the stories of illicit relations or obscene matters. Reading such novels may be permissible only for those scholars who intend to refute their contents and want to warn people of their ill-effects. However, reading those stories or novels, which are useful and consist of good matters, is permissible.
Anyway, reading those novels that are not useful and at the same time do not contain any forbidden matters - which is rare - is permissible provided they do not divert one from his obligations or from more important matters than reading such novels.
Finally, we advise our Muslim brothers to engage themselves in achieving good knowledge and spending their time in that which Pleases Allah, avoiding useless activities. One should engross himself in reciting the Qur'an in which there are many good and interesting stories, and also in reading Islamic books and the biographies of Prophets and eminent scholars. These are very useful for every Muslim.
Allah knows best.
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