Other Literature

Q: Is it considered a major sin to read fiction books. I occasionally read to unwind and relax.

Q: I am looking at writing novels which are aimed at young children and adults aged from seven years onwards. Fiction novels can enable people and especially children to develop and improve their language skills, vocabulary and understanding of the world. However, reading novels can also be regarded as a waste of time. My novels would promote good morals but will also inevitably contain some sinful notions such as acts of violence or relationships – the novels are aimed at a young audience so these will still be apparent within the novel. I want to ask three questions regarding the above.

1. Is story fiction writing permissible in Islam?

2. If my intention is to write stories with the aim of helping people, especially children, to improve their vocabulary, language skills and understanding of the world, will I be rewarded by Allah Ta'ala?

3. If I derive an income from story writing, will this income be halaal?

Q: My mother has all these haraam romance and fiction novels. To get rid of them, my mother is donating them to the SPCA. The SPCA collects such books and then sells them as a means of fundraising. Is it permissible for her to give such haraam novels to the SPCA?

Q: I am a qualified secondary English teacher. Is it permissible for me to teach Muslim children about Shakespeare and the fictional content of English literature? I am worried that I will be accountable to Allah Ta'ala for what I teach to children.

Q: Is it true that Imaam Ghazaali (Rahmatullahi Alayh) called the mathematical numbers as words of Shaitaan and told Muslims not to study mathematics?

Q: I am an instructor, I teach wrestling to hifz students. Is it ok for Sunnah reasons to look at the pdf versions of wrestling books on line that are copy right. This is for teaching purposes to spread the Sunnah for the students of dean.

Q:

1) Is it permissible to read newspapers?

2) Is it permissible to keep newspapers at home with pictures etc visible no matter which way you fold and turn the newspaper around?

3) Is it advisable to give an old person newspaper to read to keep upto date with the latest happenings?

4) One aalim mentioned that even mashaaikh and buzrugs also have to know what's going on in the important local and international news. How does one find out this without reading newspapers or news websites when all of them will have pictures etc.

Q: A popular non-Muslim bookshop is selling a single, second hand copy of a Qadiani book, "The True Islam." I fear that perhaps an un-wary Muslim, or a non-Muslim may purchase this deviated book.

(1) Would it be a good idea for me to purchase this kitaab for the express purpose of disposing it?

(2) Since deviated literature also contains the Name of Allah Ta'ala and Ayaats of the Quraan, it cannot be thrown in the garbage. This would apply to the deviated Modernist, Salafi, Berelwi, Shiah and distorted non-Muslim works on Islam as well. Like the Yusuf Ali Translation of the Quraan. How should such literature be destroyed?

Q: I have a personal training book that I have to study to become a personal trainer. There is however pictures in the book with females in it showing how to do certain workouts. How should I go about this situation?

Q: Is reading books/novels allowed in Islam? If so what type of novels/books are permissible to read? Fictional or non fictional?