Poetry in Islam

30-12-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is poetry allowed in Islam? Sometimes I write some thing?

---

Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. The ruling of poetry depends on its content; if the content is good it is good; otherwise it is bad. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: Poetry is like a talk; a good poetry is like a good talk and a bad one is like a bad talk. [Musnad Abi Ya'la ] The same meaning is deduced from the verse: {As for the poets, the erring ones follow them, See you not that they speak about every subject (praising people right or wrong) in their poetry? And that they say what they do not do. Except those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, and remember Allah much and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged [(by replying back in poetry) to the unjust poetry (which the pagan poets utter against the Muslims)].}[26:224-227]. The companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to compose good poetry and recite it in front of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). Therefore, poetry that contains Tawheed, Praise of Allah, or His Prophet's admiration (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) some wisdoms, scientific or artistic themes that do not go beyond the boundaries of Shariah is praiseworthy. On the other hand, the poetry that contains polytheism, obscenity, no meaning, insult of any Muslim, etc. is Haram. Allah knows best.