Fatwa ID: 05762

Answered by: Maulana Yūsuf Badāt

Question:

My question is that I have learnt from you and from many other scholars that reading literature that is toxic and un-Islamic is Haraam because it pollutes the mind.

I have noticed that your vocabulary and the vocabulary of other scholars are strong, MashaAllah, so I just want to ask that since 90-95% of modern novels have things like romance and disrespecting parents in them but they still have difficult words that can expand your vocabulary and can teach how to write a novel, but since it is Haraam to read them, what can a Muslim do instead?

In other words, how do you and other scholars expand your vocabulary and knowledge about the world and writing skills since modern novels are toxic? So that I can know and do the same.

In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Answer:

There are many Islamically appropriate ways to expand vocabulary. A few methods are listed below:

• Practice writing and speaking with the consistent use of a thesaurus.
• Listen to or watch documentaries and the news.
• Take advanced courses in literature and language.
• Read decent books with Islamically appropriate content.
• Stay in the company of eloquent righteous Muslims and learn from them.

“We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language [and vocabulary] of his people to state clearly [and explain eloquently] for them.” – Qur’ān 14:4)¹

Only Allāh knows best.

Written by Maulana Yūsuf Badāt

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

1 وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ۖ فَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ – سورة إبراهيم ٤