What is the ruling on reading and writing poetry, historical, literary, and philosophical books, detective novels, visiting museums and archaeological sites, and traveling for tourism?

Poetry is speech; its good is good and its bad is bad. Therefore, what among it serves Islam and Muslims is permissible to write and read, but what contains immorality, atheism, or incitement of people is forbidden. What does not fall into these categories is considered idle talk.

History books that discuss the history and lives of the Salaf (pious predecessors) are permissible to read, as are the histories of other nations if the reader seeks admonition and does not fear being influenced. Among the most important books are: Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End), Tarikh Dimashq (History of Damascus) and Tarikh Baghdad (History of Baghdad), Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' (Biographies of Noble Figures), and Hayat al-Sahabah (Lives of the Companions).

As for literature books, those that encourage good morals are permissible. However, those that contain stories of debauchery and illicit love must be avoided.

Philosophy books that discuss theological matters are forbidden to read due to the atheism they contain, except for one who intends to refute them and is qualified to do so.

Some detective novels incite violence, crime, and illicit love, and most of them are idle talk with no benefit.