Is the following narration authentic: "Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) entered the mosque and found a man telling people fables... So he said: 'Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah)! Allah says: (We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories) [Yusuf/3], and you tell people these stories'?"

Answer Summary:

Storytellers (Qussas) used to narrate the news and stories of past peoples for admonition and lesson. However, some applied this term to preachers who frequently used stories.

There were no Qussas during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or Abu Bakr, but Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) permitted some of them.

Umar guided the Qussas to rely on the stories of the Noble Qur'an, especially the story of Yusuf (Joseph), and warned against narrating from the books of the People of the Book or excessive storytelling.

The narrations that mention Umar striking some Qussas do not prove that the striking was due to storytelling itself, but rather for other reasons, such as narrating from the People of the Book or harming Muslims by raising their voices.

Authentic hadiths indicate the presence of Qussas during Umar's era (may Allah be pleased with him) and that Umar used to guide and direct them.

Some of the Salaf disliked storytelling for several reasons, including: it was not present during the Prophet's era, it might contain unauthentic narrations, especially Isra'iliyyat (Biblical narratives), it might distract from what is important in religion, and some Qussas do not strive for accuracy.

If the storyteller is knowledgeable and strives for accuracy in their stories, relies on the stories of the Qur'an and Sunnah, and does not overwhelm people, then there is no harm in their action.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal believed that people needed a truthful storyteller who would mention the Scale (of deeds) and the torment of the grave.

Conclusion: Storytelling in Islam is permissible if it is based on the Qur'an and Sunnah, lessons and admonitions are drawn from it, it comes from someone with knowledge and piety, and false stories or Isra'iliyyat that contradict Sharia are avoided.