Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asak

Could you please tell me it we are allowed to read fiction in Islam. If we are then what are the limits.

Thank you

Allah Hafiz

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Answer:

Read fiction books

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 70 Surah Mairaj verses 42-44:

Therefore, leave them engrossed in their vain talk and play, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they are being promised; when they shall be rushing out of their graves as though they are racing towards the shrines of their deities. Their eyes shall be downcast and abasement shall be covering them. That is the Day they are being promised.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anam verse 32:

This worldly life is but a sport and an amusement. In fact, the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who desire to be safe from harm. Will you not, then, use your common sense?

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 43 Surah Zukhruf verse 83:

Well, let them remain absorbed in their falsehoods and sports, till they see that Day of theirs with which they are being threatened.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verses 50-51:

(On the Day of Judgement) The inmates of Hell will cry out to the people of Paradise: “Pour upon us a little water or throw down a bit of the provisions Allah has bestowed upon you.” The people of Paradise will reply, “Allah has forbidden both these things to the disbelievers, who had made their religion a sport and a pastime, and who had been deluded by the worldly life.” Then Allah will say, “Today We will forget them just as they forgot the meeting of this Day, and rejected Our Revelations.”

There is no harm if one reads books on fiction occasionally for seeking knowledge, or sharpening one’s language, or even for some amusement, etc.; but if one spends hours and hours in reading fiction, or reads books on fiction which indulge in ‘fahisha’ or indecency, etc…..then indeed all such worthless activity which does nothing but ‘wastes’ one most precious commodity of time would fall under the category of ‘lagwaw’ or absolutely useless and vain deeds, something which the believers who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day and realize the value of their short time allotted to them, should strive their utmost to abstain.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan