Romantic novels

[leila_11]

Assalam alaykum dear sisters,

I have brought this topic for discussion because i know there are many of you out ther who read such novels, i just wanna try and stop you all from reading them by telling you the reasons and consequesnces as to why we all should avoid them. I dont wanna know who reads them..lolz just requests all of you to reply and say why do u feel we should not read such novels and the consequences of reading them. This discussion im sure can be successful if you all participate into it. Ahsant

My comments. I feel we should refrain from such novels so as to keep our minds free from satanic and evil thoughts.

1 of the consequences of reading these type of novels. It Brings you closer to haram stuf and may lead you into performing the haram act

Edited July 8, 2006 by leila_11

[iraqidiamond]

Assalam alaykum dear sisters,

I have brought this topic for discussion because i know there are many of you out ther who read such novels, i just wanna try and stop you all from reading them by telling you the reasons and consequesnces as to why we all should avoid them. I dont wanna know who reads them..lolz just requests all of you to reply and say why do u feel we should not read such novels and the consequences of reading them. This discussion im sure can be successful if you all participate into it. Ahsant

My comments. I feel we should refrain from such novels so as to keep our minds free from satanic and evil thoughts.

1 of the consequences of reading these type of novels. It Brings you closer to haram stuf and may lead you into performing the haram act

Salam Alaykum.

Well, it depends on what type of romantic novels. Some are inappropiate, and several are highly great to read and thrilling.

[leila_11]

Salam Alaykum.

Well, it depends on what type of romantic novels. Some are inappropiate, and several are highly great to read and thrilling.

Alaykum salam. Firstly i dont read romantic novels and i never will inshallah.. Anythin that leads you closer to something haram.. SHOULD BE AVOIDED BY ALL MEANS AND SHOULD BE KEPT AWAY FROM regardless of whether they are innapropriate or thrilling to read they all fall under ROMANTIC NOVELS which bring you closer to doing haram!

[iraqidiamond]

Alaykum salam. Firstly i dont read romantic novels and i never will inshallah.. Anythin that leads you closer to something haram.. SHOULD BE AVOIDED BY ALL MEANS AND SHOULD BE KEPT AWAY FROM regardless of whether they are innapropriate or thrilling to read they all fall under ROMANTIC NOVELS which bring you closer to doing haram!

salam

If it's something that falls in haram, ABSOLUTELY, I agree with you. However, reading a story of a boy falling in love with a girl, animal, shiachat or whatever is not haram my respected sister.

[muntadher]

81th question / Why reading the “delusive and false books” is Haram?!

Question

While Islam is the religion of knowledge and science, why it has forbidden reading some books (delusive and false books)?

Answer

Of course, Islam is the religion of knowledge and science. This divine religion invites mankind to acquisition of sciences and their spread and popularization. It believes that the individual’s and society’s perfection and development depends on acquisition of knowledge. At the meantime, Islam believes that as society shall be protected against the causes of material risks, like contagious diseases, it shall be also protected against the mental and spiritual deviations.

In the present automatic civilization, the individuals are free to accept any idea, thought and deviation as far as it does not hurt the society’s material system. It is not the same in Islam, because Islam is going to form a society proceeding in the course of spiritual and moral perfection. This is not realized unless through encounter with the causes of moral and mental deviation, and preventing their domination on people’s life.

Taking into account this fundamental principle, it is clarified why Islam has forbidden reading the delusive books hurting proper beliefs and thoughts and or healthy morality.

If all are allowed to read such books and papers, how we can guarantee protection of their thoughts and morality against deviation? The power of suggestion and propagation shall not be ignored. Such papers may change the course of individuals’ life totally through suggestion and propagation. There are many youths who have fallen into the cliff of corruption and moral collapse due to reading deviating books, romantic and criminal novels.

For the above reasons, Islam has forbidden distribution of deviating books in the society. At the meantime, it advocates knowledge and science, and has allowed reading and studying such books for the scientists having the power of distinguishing truth and false with their capable intellect. Not only the scholars could study such books, but also it is obligatory and necessary for all Islamic scholars to study such books and find the reasoning of the adversaries and encounter with it, and recognize their method of propagation of enemies to be able to encounter with it properly and effectively.

There are many instances of negotiations and talks between the religious leaders and advocators of non Islamic beliefs, which have been collected by the writers like the writer of “Ehtejaj Tabarsi”. This indicates that forbiddance of “Delusive books” in Islam never means killing freedom of thought and opposition with knowledge. The religious leaders have always replied such beliefs through logic and free discussion, and not mental and belief choke.

http://www.makaremshirazi.org/english/modu...cle&sid=260

[Mohsin]

WOW the reasons you gave were previously unheard-of :rolleyes:

[leila_11]

WOW the reasons you gave were previously unheard-of :rolleyes:

Really they are unheard of.. :o lol Why dont u try giving some if you know of any

[iraqidiamond]

Really they are unheard of.. :o lol Why dont u try giving some if you know of any

(salam)

He was being sarcastic.

[Sarah]

(salam)

I used to read fiction books in high school one of which are teen love stories.

Looking back, I wish I haven't though. Cuz they don't provide you like knowledge or facts; its meaningless.

I guess what you get is just a feeling of lovey dovey and start wishing "I wish I was like that...I wish it happens in real life.."

[Mohsin]

Only an unreasonable person will fall a prey to such lousy stories, unfortunately most teens are not very reasonable..impressionable age, you know.

If you are talking about romantic stories by english authors, they are very inappropriate, romance to them is = obscenity, sex, indecency etc. Reading them is like committing zina.

If the romantic stories are written by other authors i.e. Muslim ? They are still bad. A romantic story invariably involves an unmarried young guy and a girl, either seeking intimacy before marriage or you know.. spending time together alone and talking [Edited Out] :rolleyes:

It may be fanciful, attractive and all to immature minds but a mature person would never waste time reading such never-land concoctions :)

[Peaceful-sunni]

You can read love stories as long as you know that it is fiction.

If you can distiuguise the diffrence between fact and fiction then it really doesn't matter. I am assuming most of you gals are mature encough to handle reading wuthering heights or pride and predujice without falling into haram.

[habib e najjaar]

hmm either way keep 'La taqrabu-zzinaah' in mind

[Rawshni]

Proscribing anything, repeat ANYTHING, seems silly

[leila_11]

You can read love stories as long as you know that it is fiction.

If you can distiuguise the diffrence between fact and fiction then it really doesn't matter. I am assuming most of you gals are mature encough to handle reading wuthering heights or pride and predujice without falling into haram.

You can read love stories as long as you know that it is fiction.

Regardless of whether its a fact or a fiction.... we have to keep away from anythin that could lead to haraam.. Yes true most of the gals r mature but "SATAN IS OUR OPEN ENEMY" and anyone however strong can somehow be misled besides such novels are worthless and just nonsensical...its better to read somthing constructive and stop wasting time!!! Also to add even married couples are not allowed to watch bad movies which portray sex in them.. reading such romantic novels can make one visualize it and so we all have to refrain from it!!

[Zuljenah]

If you are talking about novels in the Romance section of the bookstore, then yes, I agree, should be avoided, cause most of those are probably trash anyway.

But as for novels in the fiction (NON-Romance) section that do happen to contain a bit of a romantic story, I see no reason to avoid those. I honestly don't think just anyone could fall into haram from reading a few books. They aren't so explicit that they can cause some type of sin. And most adults who read such books I am sure can exercise self control anyway.

I read a novel the other day, "The Confessions of Max Tivoli" which is about a man who has 3 chances at love with the same woman because of a certain "disease" he has. It had a romantic story going on in it, but nothing explicit and it was nothing that could cause one to sin. But the story itself was entertaining.

[leila_11]

If you are talking about novels in the Romance section of the bookstore, then yes, I agree, should be avoided, cause most of those are probably trash anyway.

But as for novels in the fiction (NON-Romance) section that do happen to contain a bit of a romantic story, I see no reason to avoid those. I honestly don't think just anyone could fall into haram from reading a few books. They aren't so explicit that they can cause some type of sin. And most adults who read such books I am sure can exercise self control anyway.

I read a novel the other day, "The Confessions of Max Tivoli" which is about a man who has 3 chances at love with the same woman because of a certain "disease" he has. It had a romantic story going on in it, but nothing explicit and it was nothing that could cause one to sin. But the story itself was entertaining.

I am talking about romance novels(i mentioned that clearly when i started the discussion) The non romantic books may have alitle of a romance story but they do not expose the readers to sex.. so theres no harm in readind non romance novels, but if one comes across a non fiction book which has some sexual stuff in it they should abstain from it. Almost all adult english novels have alitle of romance in them but they do not end up into actually talkin abt sex.

[Zuljenah]

I am talking about romance novels(i mentioned that clearly when i started the discussion) The non romantic books may have alitle of a romance story but they do not expose the readers to sex.. so theres no harm in readind non romance novels, but if one comes across a non fiction book which has some sexual stuff in it they should abstain from it. Almost all adult english novels have alitle of romance in them but they do not end up into actually talkin abt sex.

Ok, Then I think esentially everyone does agree with you, because those Romance "novels" are in fact just garbage, as Smiley stated. And I highly doubt Muslim girls would read such trash lol...

[Ali Zaki]

Assalam alaykum dear sisters,

I have brought this topic for discussion because i know there are many of you out ther who read such novels, i just wanna try and stop you all from reading them by telling you the reasons and consequesnces as to why we all should avoid them. I feel we should refrain from such novels so as to keep our minds free from satanic and evil thoughts.

1 of the consequences of reading these type of novels. It Brings you closer to haram stuf and may lead you into performing the haram act

(salam)

First, I am a man and have never read a "romance novel" in my life (nor do I have a desire to do so), however...

It is important that we Muslims (especially in the west) keep and open mind when it comes to literature. I read alot, and I have often been surprised by the amount of insight and wisdom that can be gained from "secular" novels, even fiction stories which are well written and morally sound. Of course, I am not encouraging anyone to read anything which is (in any way) pornographic, purient, or pure fantasy for the sake of fantasy. On the other hand, I would hate for a Muslim to be deprived of a noble and worthy work of literature because it seems strange or unfamiliar.

Seeking knowledge is very important in Islam. If this is our intention, then many works of literature which may seem unusual or unfamiliar may broaden our perspective and give us valuable insights into things we previously were ignorant of. So I agree, of course, with the quote above however I think we should temper this with an active and healthy intellectual curiousity and not limit ourselves too severely.

Edited July 8, 2006 by Ali Zaki

[leila_11]

Ok, Then I think esentially everyone does agree with you, because those Romance "novels" are in fact just garbage, as Smiley stated. And I highly doubt Muslim girls would read such trash lol...

Well if such was the case i sure wudnt have posted this as a topic here zuljenah..u dont need to doubt i give you the guarantee that majority of muslim ladies do read such [Edited Out]

[Friend of All]

Technically speaking, almost and not all fiction have some love story goin on at the back side.. perhaps a tiny bit, but nonetheless.. as long as its not explicit, its kinda not bad to read such fiction..

But the one you are talking about, romantic novels aka love stories.. well, I presume they are explicit..and if they are, obviously its wrong to read just like its wrong to see such movies..

:angel:

ok, and u finally stated abt those explicit books, I just read that part now..lol..obviously wrong, would anyone wanna see such things, then y anyone would wanna read it??

[Zuljenah]

Well if such was the case i sure wudnt have posted this as a topic here zuljenah..u dont need to doubt i give you the guarantee that majority of muslim ladies do read such [Edited Out]

:blink:

Which country do you live in, if you don't mind me asking?

[Rawshni]

(bismillah)

(salam)

(salam)

First, I am a man and have never read a "romance novel" in my life (nor do I have a desire to do so), however...

It is important that we Muslims (especially in the west) keep and open mind when it comes to literature. I read alot, and I have often been surprised by the amount of insight and wisdom that can be gained from "secular" novels, even fiction stories which are well written and morally sound. Of course, I am not encouraging anyone to read anything which is (in any way) pornographic, purient, or pure fantasy for the sake of fantasy. On the other hand, I would hate for a Muslim to be deprived of a noble and worthy work of literature because it seems strange or unfamiliar.

Seeking knowledge is very important in Islam. If this is our intention, then many works of literature which may seem unusual or unfamiliar may broaden our perspective and give us valuable insights into things we previously were ignorant of. So I agree, of course, with the quote above however I think we should temper this with an active and healthy intellectual curiousity and not limit ourselves too severely.

I am one of those who has always been active against censorship of any kind, and always activated for strengthening the moral fibre and fabric of the community and society I belong to.

I believe that proscribing things is always contributive towards focussing a prurient interest in them, so much so that most people would go directly to the passages dur to which a text has been proscribed; read it totally out of context and perhaps imbibe negative influences from it.

My father used to literaly burn books I used to buy with my allowance.

To quote a few of the books he burnt, more than once, and which were bought, repeatedly, till he got it into his head that I will not desist:

Coming of Age in Samoa - Margaret Mead - the first one he burnt, becuas eit had the illustration [not picture] of a nubile Samoan girl on the title. It is a book on anthropology

The Psychology of Sex -- Havelock Ellis - abridged version, eventually I bought the four vbolume hardbound set -One of the ground breaking books on the subject in its time, and still a magnum opus

Translations from Rumi the title says it all

Heer Ranjha by Syed Waris Shah Sahab - a Punjabi folk love story, which contains a few lurid passages

Virginity by Olaf Kran - Perhaps the finest exposition on the subject, tracing the taboo and the desirability etc of virginity from prehistoric times till the eighties. Nobody has approached the subject with such indepth research, insight and diligence

The Communist Manifesto Self Explanatory

[kaneez e mehdi]

if its about just typical romantic novels and if v say they shudnt b read then the tv dramas and films too are nt supposed to b watched

i don read them now as i don get time

bt i used to read sum of them

yet i m nt in their favour

[Rawshni]

The advice in the Opening Post . . .

[satyaban]

Alaykum salam. Firstly i dont read romantic novels and i never will inshallah.. Anythin that leads you closer to something haram.. SHOULD BE AVOIDED BY ALL MEANS AND SHOULD BE KEPT AWAY FROM regardless of whether they are innapropriate or thrilling to read they all fall under ROMANTIC NOVELS which bring you closer to doing haram!

"Firstly i dont read romantic novels and i never will inshallah.."

So you have no first hand knowledge of what you are talking about.

Peace

Satyaban

[sk00n]

Romance novels are such a waste of time! oof!

and theyre so BORING!

[Guest Qt-Maram]

If you are talking about novels in the Romance section of the bookstore, then yes, I agree, should be avoided, cause most of those are probably trash anyway.

But as for novels in the fiction (NON-Romance) section that do happen to contain a bit of a romantic story, I see no reason to avoid those. I honestly don't think just anyone could fall into haram from reading a few books. They aren't so explicit that they can cause some type of sin. And most adults who read such books I am sure can exercise self control anyway.

I read a novel the other day, "The Confessions of Max Tivoli" which is about a man who has 3 chances at love with the same woman because of a certain "disease" he has. It had a romantic story going on in it, but nothing explicit and it was nothing that could cause one to sin. But the story itself was entertaining.

Agree, very well said *applause*

[~RuQaYaH~]

(salam)

The only thing most Romance novels are good for is to improve your English. Reading is the best way to improve your English and unfortunately, many of the Islamic books are written with very very poor English. However, this shouldn't be an excuse to read such books because you could always read novels which are not romance (eg: thriller, science fiction, murder mystery etc). Or better yet, you could read non-fiction books :D

wasalaam

[SpIzo]

many of the Islamic books are written with very very poor English.

Are you kidding me? :mellow:

I tried reading "Man and Universe" by Ayatullah Mutahhari and it just went way over my head. I had to give it my complete concentration which was actually very hard considering the language used in the book. Lol. Or maybe it just wasn't meant for me to read it at that time. :angel:

[Rawshni]

Are you kidding me? :mellow:

I tried reading "Man and Universe" by Ayatullah Mutahhari and it just went way over my head. I had to give it my complete concentration which was actually very hard considering the language used in the book. Lol. Or maybe it just wasn't meant for me to read it at that time. :angel:

If it just went way over your head, the English wasn't good.

I haven't seen this particular book.

Ishq-e-Batool started a ShiaChat Reader's Group last year, a very good attempt at community building and bonding, and like most very good attempts, it fizzled out.

The first book chosen to be read was the English translation of Muratza Muttahhari's "Women's Rights in Islam"

The English is atrocious, to say the least.

[SpIzo]

If it just went way over your head, the English wasn't good.

I haven't seen this particular book.

Ishq-e-Batool started a ShiaChat Reader's Group last year, a very good attempt at community building and bonding, and like most very good attempts, it fizzled out.

The first book chosen to be read was the English translation of Muratza Muttahhari's "Women's Rights in Islam"

The English is atrocious, to say the least.

It was too difficult to understand.

But I feel we should not crib about their level of English. Atleast the translators have made a conscious effort to translate the book to reach out to the majority instead of doing nothing and grumbling that there aren't enough books in English about Shi'a faith. :Hijabi:

Insha'Allah their efforts will be rewarded. :angel:

[Rawshni]

It was too difficult to understand.

But I feel we should not crib about their level of English. Atleast the translators have made a conscious effort to translate the book to reach out to the majority instead of doing nothing and grumbling that there aren't enough books in English about Shi'a faith. :Hijabi:

Insha'Allah their efforts will be rewarded. :angel:

Bad, crabby, off key translations put off readers . . . simply meaning a loss of opportunity.

Translation isn't much of a big deal either, provided one has the required proficiency in the two languages concerned.

Books penned by mortals, again aren't a big deal.

M. H. Shakir, a Gujrati speaking person, translated the Quran into English, and did a magnificient job of it.

Others can do the same, with due diligence, and as I said, translating the words of mortal men is no big deal.

Edited July 11, 2006 by Rawshni

[Peaceful-sunni]

"Regardless of whether its a fact or a fiction.... we have to keep away from anythin that could lead to haraam.. Yes true most of the gals r mature but "SATAN IS OUR OPEN ENEMY" and anyone however strong can somehow be misled besides such novels"

I doubt Shaytan sit there writting romance novels!

I can't imganie him writting wuthering height hoping one day to meet his own heath cliff unless he is a helpless romatic.

And there is a diffrence between romance novels and erotic. Often the two are confused but in fact there diffrenet. You see Erotic there sex on pretty much every page where has romance novel especially the old ones contian hardly any sex in it.

I mean if you think reading romace novels may lead you to fornications then what about reading history book about violance aren't you afaird that you might get temptened into invading Poland or something!

[Rawshni]

^

Dayem.

The idea of Shaytaan sitting at table, burning the midnight oil penning romantic novels designed to corrupt the morals of the saintly and the not so saintly is absolutely hilarious. Loved it . . . Kudos

[Peaceful-sunni]

Well it quiet logical if you think about it!