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Is it permissible to read fictional novels about human creation or evolution?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If narratives include falsehoods and a distortion of religious and scientific facts, such as Darwin's theory, then a Muslim must be wary of them and engage in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds, and read realistic stories and history. Many science fiction films and novels contain disbelief, such as making the issue of death and resurrection in the hands of creation, the ability to create from nothing, and going to the future and returning to the past, which contradicts the knowledge of the unseen that is exclusive to Allah. These narratives also contradict historical facts mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah about human creation and life. Therefore, a Muslim should not expose himself to what shakes his عقيدة (faith) or waste his time on what is not beneficial, even if it is said to be for entertainment, because entertainment is not permissible if it involves what is forbidden, and a Muslim's time is too precious to be wasted on such matters, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Part of the perfection of one's Islam is his leaving alone that which does not concern him."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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