❖ Shar‘i Ruling on Love Poetry in Light of Qur’an and Hadith ❖
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil fī Ḍawʾ al-Qurʾān wal-Ḥadīth, Vol. 1
✿ Question:
Is it sinful to read or write love poetry that does not contain exaggeration?
✿ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
① Condemnation of Love and Passionate Poetry
The Qur’an criticizes poetry centered on passion, love, and fantasies, describing such poets as misguided:
﴿وَٱلشُّعَرَآءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ ٱلۡغَاوُونَ ﴿٢٢٤﴾ أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّهُمۡ فِي كُلِّ وَادٖ يَهِيمُونَ ﴿٢٢٥﴾﴾
(al-Shuʿarāʾ: 224–225)
Translation:
“And the poets – the deviators follow them. Do you not see that they wander in every valley (of imagination)?”
② Permissible Use of Poetry in Islam
Islam allows poetry that contains wisdom, advice, or noble themes. The Prophet ﷺ said:
إن من الشعر حِكمة
“Indeed, some poetry is full of wisdom.”
③ Poetry Recited by the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ himself once recited:
اللَّهُمَّ إن العيشَ عيشةُ الآخرة
فارحم الأنصارَ والمهاجرةَ
“O Allah! True life is the life of the Hereafter, so have mercy on the Ansar and the Muhajirun.”
④ Poetry in Masjid al-Nabawi
By the Prophet’s ﷺ permission, Ḥassān ibn Thābit (رضي الله عنه) recited poetry:
- Praising the Prophet ﷺ
- Satirizing the disbelievers
The Prophet ﷺ said that Jibrīl (the Holy Spirit) supported Ḥassān so long as he defended the Messenger ﷺ and opposed the enemies of Allah.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
⑤ Poetry at the Time of Hijrah
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah, women welcomed him with joy:
- Beating daffs (hand-drums)
- Reciting welcoming verses such as:
طلع البدر علينا من ثنيات الوداع
وجب الشكر علينا ما دعا لله داع
أيها المبعوث فينا جئتَ بالأمر المطاع
Conclusion:
- Poetry filled with vain love, passions, and frivolity is condemned.
- Permissible poetry includes wise, Islamic, and praiseworthy verses.
- A Muslim should avoid useless and sinful poetry and instead engage in poetry that promotes faith, morality, and noble values.
