What is the ruling on writing novels about events that actually occurred, with the modification of names and personal information about their subjects to protect their privacy, while the written events remain completely true without addition or omission?
Attributing a statement or action to someone other than its speaker or doer is a prohibited lie, except within a narrow scope for a benefit that cannot be achieved otherwise, or to avert a harm that cannot be averted otherwise. Therefore, it is not permissible to attribute an event to someone other than its performer unless there is a pressing need.
However, if mentioning the event has a benefit and does not entail harm, and there is a need not to mention its owner, then it is permissible at that time if it is attributed to a general name like "Abdullah" and not to a specific person. Every praiseworthy objective that can be achieved without lying, lying for it is forbidden. But if it cannot be achieved except through lying, then it is permissible. If achieving that objective is permissible, then lying is permissible. If it is obligatory, then lying is obligatory.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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