What are the শরعي (Shari'i) boundaries for writing fictional stories that include heroes with superpowers, or stories about fictional planets with civilizations and monsters? Is it permissible to write stories that involve controlling elements? And what is the ruling of the Shari'ah on drawing and watching anime and manga characters (without music)? And if all of that is wrong, is it permissible to write symbolic fictional stories that carry moral lessons and social benefits?
Fictional stories are permissible if their purpose is noble, and if they are free of unlawful elements, or advocating for them, or belittling religion, or glorifying falsehood. However, using the science of alchemy (simiya) is not permissible because it involves charlatanism, magic, and deception, and it is among the sciences of evil. The story must also not include control over elements or creatures in the universe. As for Japanese animated cartoons, if they depict complete living beings, they are forbidden. If they are incomplete or depict non-living beings, they are permissible, provided they are free of unlawful elements.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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