What is the ruling on reading fictional stories that contain magic, such as the story of Cinderella, and will prayers not be accepted for forty days if one watches them without believing in them?

Such stories diminish the gravity of magic and portray it as something good, which contradicts the Muslim's creed. Magic never brings good, and the magician will not succeed wherever he goes. Moreover, these stories suggest to the viewer that magicians can transform and alter objects, which is not within the capability of creatures, but belongs to Allah alone. Watching stories, movies, and series that carry messages or calls that affect a Muslim's creed is forbidden, unless the viewer is fortified with religious knowledge that repels doubts. As for fictional, mythical stories that do not contradict sound creed and good values, there is no harm in them. And the notion that one who watches them will not have his prayers accepted for forty days is incorrect; this threat is for one who goes to a diviner or a magician, not for one who reads or listens to their stories.