Q/A + Reminders

Do I Have to Give Up Reading Romance Stories?

Asalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

Reading love stories results in many evils, especially if the reader is young and the story contains mature content. These evils include: provocation of desire, and stirring up of bad thoughts and fantasies, attachment to the hero or heroine of the story, and wasting time in something that brings no spiritual or worldly benefit, rather in most cases it cases harm. Islam came to close the door that leads to anything haraam; it enjoins lowering the gaze and forbids being alone with a member of the opposite sex or speaking in a soft tone, and other things that may provoke desire or lead to immoral actions. Undoubtedly reading these stories is the exact opposite of that, because they promote the wish to get to know men and form relationships with them, and fall in love with them, in addition to showing immoral images of love and meetings etc. Undoubtedly all of that is haraam. 

Romance itself is not prohibited.

On the contrary, love, romance and affection are highly encouraged between husbands and wives.

We know from the Seerah how affectionate the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) was with his wives.

Men are commanded to follow in his footsteps in showing love and affection towards their wives whether in their marital intercourse or the marital relationship as a whole.

There are plenty of hadiths and resources in our tradition on that.

In a beautiful hadith, the Prophet was asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the people is most beloved to you?’ He said: “Aishah.’ [Sunan Ibn Majah]

Showing affection to one’s spouse in an elegant halal manner is Sunnah.

The problem is when one is not married or about to get married yet is constantly reading things that provoke certain feelings he/she can’t fulfill in a halal way; and on top of that often written by dubious people who’re not necessarily concerned about one’s spiritual success in this life and the next.

So romance needs to be a blessing put in its right time and place, not a sinful desire swallowing up a major part of one’s time and life aimlessly.

It would be understandable if you’re reading about how to show affection to your husband in order to boost your relationship (granted that it’s something written/said by trustworthy individuals/people of knowledge).

But if you’re not in a relationship or about to get into one, yet you’re constantly bombarding your heart and mind with feelings/ideas/imageries/fantasies that are unlawful and there isn’t a lawful way for you to fulfill them, then how is this helpful for you spiritually, emotionally or physically?

As a matter of fact, it is actually harmful.

Reading mature stuff is forbidden as it leads to haraam things and sin, and the one who does it is in grave danger. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has decreed for the son of Adam his share of zina, which he will inevitably get. The zina of the eyes is looking and the zina of the tongue is speaking. The heart wishes and hopes, and the private part confirms that or denies it.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6243) and Muslim (2657).

According to a report narrated by Muslim: “The son of Adam’s share of zina has been decreed for him, which he will inevitably get. The zina of the eyes is looking, the zina of the ears is listening, the zina of the tongue is speaking, the zina of the hands is touching, and the zina of the foot is walking. The heart longs and wishes, and the private part confirms that or denies it.”

Think about this important hadeeth, and think about the movies that you mentioned. Watching movies or reading such books make get included includes the zina of the eyes, the ears and the heart which longs and wishes. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. 

Also

If the book do not contain unlawful things then you may read them. It is right to read ethical and reformative stories . It is unlawful to read nasty and obscene stories.

And

Remember that it is obligatory to give up haraam things immediately, and that sin after sin darkens the heart, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When the believer commits sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents and gives up that sin and seeks forgiveness, his heart will be polished. But if (the sin) increases, (the black spot) increases. That is the raan which Allaah mentions in His Book: ‘Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn’ [al-Mutaffifeen 83:14].”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3334) and Ibn Maajah (4244); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

You should also remember that whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than it, so hasten to repent sincerely and give up these haraam things, and keep yourself busy with things that will benefit your spiritual and worldly interests. Read Qur’aan a great deal and study the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the biographies of the Mothers of the Believers and of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them all). Listen to useful lectures which will remind you of Allaah and encourage you to seek the Hereafter, and help you to keep away from haraam things. 

May Allaah help and guide us and you. 

And Allaah knows best.

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Asalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

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❤❤ Jazakumullahu khairan. ❤❤

Keep learning and Be happy always :)