Question:

Aslamualikum, we have a book shop selling urdu and international Novels. As you know there is romance in every novel. i want to know whether it is permissible to sell Novels or not in islam. Kindly reply in accordance with Quran and ahadith or some early Scholars.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Islam is averse to immorality and lays a lot of emphasis on Hayaa (modesty). Consider the following Hadith:

(وَالْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ (متفق عليه كذا في مشكاة المصابيح

And Modesty is a (very important) branch of Imaan. (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, also in Mishkah al-Masaabih)

The reading of romance and erotic novels gives rise to sexual emotions. This causes shamelessness and immorality to spread in society. This is totally against the temperament of Shariah. Hence, the reading and selling of romance novels is not permissible. The references below may be referred to.[1]

We advise you to make an effort to find an alternative business and abstain from selling romance novels.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

(Mufti) Abdul Azeem bin Abdur Rahman

Disclaimer:

The Shar’a ruling herein given is based specifically on the question posed and should be read in conjunction with the question.

Darul Iftaa Masjid Yaseen bears no responsibility to any party who may or may not act on this answer and is being hereby exempted from loss or damage howsoever caused.

This answer may not be used as evidence in any Court of Law without prior written consent of Darul Iftaa Masjid Yaseen.

[1]  وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ (سورة لقمان، رقم الاية 6)

تفسير بيان القران، ج 3، ص 142، إدارة تاليفات اشرفية

أحكام القران للتهانوى، سورة لقمان

معارف القران للعثمانى، سورة لقمان

فقه المعاملات لمولانا مفتى احسان الله شائق صاحب، ص 110