Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
How can Muslims write fantasy fiction within Islamic guidelines?
- Keep all mythical creatures fictional.
- Remove pagan and religious elements where possible.
- Do not glorify false gods or shirk.
- Do not give creatures divine attributes.
- Keep imagination rooted in Islamic belief.
- Avoid content that promotes disbelief or mocks Islam.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Insha’Allah, you can continue your writing hobby. Just establish a few clear boundaries: avoid believing in, glorifying, or inviting to Shirk, and do not attribute to created beings what belongs solely to Allah.
1. Using names like “oni,” “vampire,” or “wendigo”: Nowadays, these are primarily fantasy labels. Using them in stories is acceptable as long as they are treated as fictional: not real gods, not objects of worship, and not something you believe in. It is preferable to strip away any religious connotations and use them purely as imaginative creatures.
2. “Demonic” or unusual creatures: Creating beings with horns, wings, or strange forms is generally acceptable if: they are clearly fictional and not worshipped or glorified. You can treat them like species in a fictional world. Just avoid attributing to them qualities that belong only to Allah—such as absolute power, full control of destiny, or divine knowledge.
3. Characters with pagan origins: If a character originates from a myth or a “god” figure, you can reshape it: change the name, remove the “god” identity, and make them simply a creature or person. The issue is not the form—it is the belief behind it. Once that is removed, you are safe.
4. Feelings toward fictional characters: Having a “crush” on a fictional character does not take a person out of Islam. It is not worship. However, it can become unhealthy if it turns into an obsession or distracts from real life and faith. So keep it light, and keep your heart grounded in what is real.
5. When does fiction become a problem? Be cautious to avoid: glorifying false gods, mocking Allah or Islam, and writing in a way that promotes disbelief or confuses your own heart.
A gentle principle to hold onto: Your imagination is a gift—but it must remain rooted in truth. If your intention is clear—this is fiction, I do not believe it, and I avoid honoring Shirk—then your writing can remain within halal, insha’Allah. And if you ever feel your heart drifting, simply return it to Allah—and continue creating with clarity and balance.
👉 Read also:
- Is Writing Fiction Haram?
- Is It Halal to Make a Cake of Kobito Characters?
- Can a Muslim Be an Animator?
- Is Reading Romantic Novels Haram?
Almighty Allah knows best.