What is the ruling on writing and reading stories? Is it an innovation (bid‘ah)? What is meant by the statements of Al-Hasan Al-Basri and ‘Uqbah ibn Hurayth? Is it permissible to include evil in a story with the aim of vilifying it?

The intent behind storytelling here is to admonish and remind people. Naming it an innovation (bid‘ah) is based on the form and method, and it falls under linguistic innovation, not legal (Shar‘i) innovation, as stated by Ibn Rajab and Al-Hasan. The Salaf’s condemnation of storytellers was due to the lies, fallacies, worldly intentions, and arrogance found in their speech. However, if the admonition is free from such things, is beneficial, conforms to the Sharia, and is intended for the sake of Allah, then there is no harm in it; rather, it is commendable. This differs from stories in the sense of narratives, which are praised or condemned depending on their effect and purpose.