Other Literature

Q: As a Muslim, can I write gay fiction on random characters? I am a straight girl, I never act on them. Is just writing ok or will Allah punish me for this?

Q: A Muslim doctor advises something called “My DNA origins” on her website. I would appreciate Mufti Saheb’s comment on the permissibility of such tests. In the description it states:

The modern human (Homo sapiens) originated in Africa, the continent where we have spent most of our existence, some 200 000 – 300 000 years ago. It was onlyabout 60 000 – 70 000 years ago that a small East thAfrican population migrated out-of-Africa, giving birth to all non-African populations. As genetic diversity continues to increase with time, so the greater genetic diversity within the much older African population can be better explained.

One group of the out-of-Africa migrants moved east, reaching India, Southeast Asia and finally Australia approximately 50 000 years ago.

Another group of out-of-Africa migrants moved to the Near East/Arabian Peninsula, and further split into two groups; one eventually reaching and settling in Europe about 45 000 years ago, and the other returning to the continent to settle in North Africa. The populations that settled on the Asian continent eventually reached Siberia. Approximately 15 000 – 20 000 years ago they crossed the Bering Strait, reaching the American continent for the first time.

Ancient DNA studies showed that when the modern humans travelled out-of-Africa, they crossed paths with other human groups, namely Neanderthals and Denisovans. Hence, the genome of current European and Asian populations has approximately 2.3% of Neanderthal input; and the Southeast Asian population can have up to 4% of Denisovan input in their genomes. Interestingly, the Sub-Saharan African population does not have any input of either Neanderthal or Denisovan in their genomes, as these groups were never present in Africa.

Given the origin and migration of our species, human populations have primarily been organised into three large ancestral groups: African (Sub-Saharan Africa), Asian (more precisely East Asia) and Eurasian (not only Europe, but related by ancestry, Southwest Asia, North Africa and to some extent Central Asia).

There are gradients of genetic diversity between the human populations – some DNA variants are more frequent in certain regions than in others. Thus, as we analyse millions of DNA variants at the same time, we acquire an excellent resolution in identifying the origin of an individual based on their specific genetic profile.

Q: I am a blogger and I found a niche car component which includes car audio accessories that is used in music. Is it halaal? Can I start a blog on it?

Q: I would like to know that after doing my work, namaz, reading Quraan and other works, so that nobodys rights are violated, what books or stories can one read for one's enjoyment, as one likes reading. Can one read books or stories of detective nature, like "whodoneit" fiction.

I am talking about books and novels of Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle, Brain Cleeve etc. not romance or filthy books and novels. Detective stories can help to use one's brains. It can also be brain exercise as I think.

As we do taleem at night when everyone is together. In taleen as you know we do read Fazail e aamaal and Sadaqat, and Muntakhab Ahaadis. There is also time when we do zikr and wazaifs. But after doing all this can one read the stories in free time for entertaiment or to enjoy one self?

One cannot do taleem etc all the time, then it might make others bored or hectic, that all the time the same thing one has to do, reading and wazaif etc. One has to have a time for a little entertainment and being jolly but of halal nature. When one is travelling in a train etc so that one does not get bored or get involved in idle talk etc. What is the solution to this?

May Allah forgive me for the nature of question asked but just for clarification and not for shunning reading Quran, doing taleem or zikr etc. 

Q: For over five years, I have been struggling with a strong desire to write books. However, these books revolve around fantasies and stories that may be morally objectionable, yet entertaining for others. It is also possible to earn money from such books. On the other hand, whenever I attempt to write books about Islam and promoting good behavior, I find myself getting bored and unable to proceed.

I am seeking reassurance that writing fantasy books of this nature is forbidden, as it would help me find peace. Additionally, I hope you can provide me with relevant Quranic verses that describe my predicament.

Q: On the internet there are many articles written by non-Muslims on the subject of intimacy - specifically ways of satisfying the wife - hundreds of articles that deal with the biology of a women and her private organs.

What is the Islamic perspective on this? Is this going too extreme and out of the bounds of modesty?

Q: Is it permissible to read Harry Potter books?

Q: Can I read books written by non-Muslims or books about non-Muslims?

Q: Is it permissible to read fiction by Muslim authors and the reason for its permissibility or non permissibility?

Q: I am a Muslim Alhamdu;illah and I try to learn about Islam whenever possible and read the translation of the Holy Quran and believe in the Oneness of Allah Almighty, the prophecy of Hazrat Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) being the last prophet of Allah Almighty.

I also have a belief that the Torah, Injeel and Zaboor are also the Holy Books which are testified by Allah Almighty. But I also believe that the Torah and Bible have been altered or fabricated by Jews or Christians.

Kindly guide me whether I can read the translations of the Bible or Torah to know about the details about the history of various Prophets (alaihimus salaam) and to have a comparison where Jews or Christians fabricated the Holy Books.

I want to study these Holy Books for history knowledge as well as for comparison while having a strong belief that the Holy Quran is the ultimate truth.