A Muslim must be cautious of what they consume, both physically and intellectually. What one reads and watches inevitably influences character and behavior. Just as certain material can guide a person toward good, other content may lead to sin or a gradual moral decline. For this reason, a Muslim is taught to avoid engaging in or exposing themselves to obscenity, immorality, and corrupt ideas.

When it comes to reading and writing fiction, two key points must be kept in mind. First, the act of writing fiction does not fall under the sin of lying. Lying is to knowingly state something contrary to reality with the intent to deceive, whereas fiction is a representation of imagined scenarios, which is not the same as a false claim about real events. Therefore, writing about imaginary worlds does not, in and of itself, constitute lying. The concern, rather, lies in the ethical implications and moral themes embedded in such works.

Secondly, there is a difference between reading and writing fiction. As for reading, one should abstain from genres that depict or normalize immorality, obscenity, polytheism, illicit behavior, or anything else contrary to the Sharia. If a person reads such material for the sake of literary analysis, cultural awareness, or understanding narrative techniques, and does so critically and in moderation, then it will be permissible, though it should not become a regular habit. The intention behind reading should ideally be to extract wisdom, refine language and expression, and improve one’s understanding of human nature and morality.^[1]

As for writing fiction, a Muslim author should use imagination in a way that upholds tawḥīd (the oneness of Allah ﷻ), recognizes His power, and affirms the creation’s dependence upon Him. One should avoid writing anything that promotes or glamorizes beliefs or behaviors forbidden in Islam. As such, “any story that contains aspects of magic or sorcery, polytheism, illicit relationships and immorality, vulgar language, or encouragement of what Sharia has prohibited should not be authored.”^[2] If some of these themes appear under the guise of "realism," then they must be portrayed with moral clarity, where wrongdoing is shown to have consequences and truth ultimately prevails.

In conclusion, a Muslim novelist should approach fiction with a sincere intention, that is to inspire, benefit, and reflect deeper truths, rather than simply seeking fame or indulgence. A Muslim’s work should be purposeful. That is why writers should strive to instill prophetic etiquette in their characters, showing that upright conduct leads to virtue and reward. While fiction allows for creative freedom, that freedom must still be shaped by the boundaries and ethics of Islam. Fiction grounded in Islamic principles can serve as a powerful source of both literary and moral development, especially for younger audiences. Finally, the novelist should themselves aim to embody the noble traits they write into their characters, thereby becoming a righteous example for their readers and admirers. If their work inspires readers to adopt good character, then we hope that they are rewarded by Allah ﷻ.

And Allah knows best.

Mf. Farhan ul Haq
Assistant Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago

Checked and Approved:

Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago