Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Volume 09
What are the Sharʿi (Islamic legal) limits of poetry?
Is poetry permissible or impermissible? If permissible, what are its defined boundaries?
❖ Poetry, in its essence, is similar to speech.
Just as good speech is commendable and bad speech is blameworthy,
so too is the ruling of poetry dependent upon its content and theme.
✧ Good poetry = Permissible and praiseworthy
✧ Evil poetry = Forbidden and blameworthy
Imām Ibn Qudāmah states:
"There is no difference of opinion in the permissibility of poetry. The Companions and scholars permitted it. The need for poetry arises in understanding the Arabic language, citing it in tafsīr (exegesis), and comprehending the meanings of the Qur’ān and the sayings of the Messenger ﷺ. It is also used as evidence for genealogy, history, and the events of the Arabs."
Numerous Sahabah (Companions) used to recite poetry in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ.
Notably:
❖ Ḥassān ibn Thābit رضي الله عنه was personally appointed by the Prophet ﷺ to compose poetry in defense of Islam.
Wherever poetry or poets have been condemned in the Qur’ān and Sunnah, the criticism is not for poetry in general, but for:
① Poetry that violates Sharīʿah principles
② Poetry promoting shirk (polytheism) or bidʿah (innovations)
③ Poetry based on falsehood or slander
④ Poetry that glorifies lust, illicit love, or immorality
⑤ Poetry used to attack chaste women
Poetry is commendable and encouraged when it includes themes such as:
✔ Understanding of Dīn
✔ Uplifting the honor of Islam
✔ Praising the Prophet ﷺ and his companions
✔ Promoting Islamic virtues and values
Permissible poetry includes:
① That which is truthful and in line with Islamic teachings
② That which serves educational, moral, or spiritual purposes
③ That which helps in learning Arabic, interpreting Qur’ān, or preserving Islamic history
Impermissible poetry includes:
① That which promotes immorality, lies, or shirk
② That which attacks Islam, its values, or its people
③ That which is filled with sensual, lustful, or indecent themes
What are the Sharʿi (Islamic legal) limits of poetry?
Is poetry permissible or impermissible? If permissible, what are its defined boundaries?
❖ Poetry, in its essence, is similar to speech.
Just as good speech is commendable and bad speech is blameworthy,
so too is the ruling of poetry dependent upon its content and theme.
✧ Good poetry = Permissible and praiseworthy
✧ Evil poetry = Forbidden and blameworthy
✔ Scholarly Perspective:
Imām Ibn Qudāmah states:
"There is no difference of opinion in the permissibility of poetry. The Companions and scholars permitted it. The need for poetry arises in understanding the Arabic language, citing it in tafsīr (exegesis), and comprehending the meanings of the Qur’ān and the sayings of the Messenger ﷺ. It is also used as evidence for genealogy, history, and the events of the Arabs."
✔ Prophetic Approval:
Numerous Sahabah (Companions) used to recite poetry in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ.
Notably:
❖ Ḥassān ibn Thābit رضي الله عنه was personally appointed by the Prophet ﷺ to compose poetry in defense of Islam.
Condemned Poetry:
Wherever poetry or poets have been condemned in the Qur’ān and Sunnah, the criticism is not for poetry in general, but for:
① Poetry that violates Sharīʿah principles
② Poetry promoting shirk (polytheism) or bidʿah (innovations)
③ Poetry based on falsehood or slander
④ Poetry that glorifies lust, illicit love, or immorality
⑤ Poetry used to attack chaste women
Commendable Poetry:
Poetry is commendable and encouraged when it includes themes such as:
✔ Understanding of Dīn
✔ Uplifting the honor of Islam
✔ Praising the Prophet ﷺ and his companions
✔ Promoting Islamic virtues and values
Summary of Sharʿi Boundaries:
Permissible poetry includes:
① That which is truthful and in line with Islamic teachings
② That which serves educational, moral, or spiritual purposes
③ That which helps in learning Arabic, interpreting Qur’ān, or preserving Islamic history
Impermissible poetry includes:
① That which promotes immorality, lies, or shirk
② That which attacks Islam, its values, or its people
③ That which is filled with sensual, lustful, or indecent themes
