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The question

What is the ruling on writing descriptions of women (such as hair and skin color and height) in stories and novels, and what is the evidence for it?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Describing women's bodies in novels and stories is prohibited if the description is of a specific, known woman, due to what has been reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibiting a man from describing a woman to her husband as if he were looking at her, and prohibiting an effeminate man from describing a specific woman. This is also due to the forbidden amorous poetry (tashbeeb) about women that such descriptions entail. However, if the description is of an imaginary and unspecific woman, it is permissible if it is in a permissible context that does not mention bodily details or arouse desires. Otherwise, it would be considered forbidden falsehood and a gateway to temptation.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported

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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
21396
Imported
Translation status
Source text, unreviewed
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