What is the ruling on writing books other than the Qur'an and Sunnah, and did the Companions prohibit it?
Composing beneficial works is permissible, and it may be commendable or a communal obligation to preserve and record knowledge; for without it, knowledge would be lost. Therefore, writing down knowledge is more deserving of preservation than writing documents that safeguard rights. This has been explicitly stated by many scholars, such as Al-Suyuti, Al-Zarkashi, Al-Haytami, and Al-Saffarini.
Good and essential composition, like books of knowledge, is not among the blameworthy innovations. No text has been reported from the Companions prohibiting it. Rather, the narration from Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both) condemning "Al-Mathnah" is interpreted as referring to what contradicts the texts of the two revelations, not to what serves them or contains what benefits the Ummah. Al-Mathnah refers to sectarian books that divert people from the Book of Allah and the of His Messenger (peace be upon him).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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