Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Is it permissible to write and publish erotic stories for sale or on social media, especially for Muslim audiences? I intend to provide a permissible alternative to pornography, though I’m unsure how readers might use the content.

Answer

Thank you for your question. It is not permissible to publish such material as it leads to sin, and pleasure may not be derived by anything or anyone other than the spouse (or which the right hand possesses).

Indecency

Allah (Most High) has told us in the Quran, “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ Come! Let me recite to you what your Lord has forbidden to you: do not associate others with Him ˹in worship˺. ˹Do not fail to˺ honor your parents. Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for you and for them. Do not come near indecencies, openly or secretly. Do not take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will understand.” [Quran, 6:151]

And Allah (Most High) has also told us in the Quran, “Say, “My Lord has only forbidden open and secret indecencies, sinfulness, unjust aggression, associating ˹others˺ with Allah ˹in worship˺—a practice He has never authorized—and attributing to Allah what you do not know.” [Quran, 7:33]

Erotica

This kind of literature is not permissible to consume or publish, and details are linked below. I encourage the use of this website, a safe place for Muslims to conquer their sexual addictions: Purify Your Gaze Helping Muslims to eliminate the addiction would be superior to providing them with something else impermissible in the process.

• Reading Romance–Erotica with One’s Spouse
• Reading Erotica and Arousing Animations
• Should I Read Erotica as My Doctor Advised It?
• What Can I Do to Stop Reading Smut Novels?
• Ruling about Reading Reading Kama Sutra Books

Intention

Your intention, however, is from a wonderful place and long-term vision, and I urge you to find permissible means to help our brothers and sisters to beat their addictions. This would be a great endeavor with a great reward.

I urge you to say this du`a for the Muslims daily:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ

اللَّهُمَّ فَرِّجْ عَنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ

اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ

O Allah! Rectify the state of the Umma of Muhammad. O Allah! Grant ease to the Umma of Muhammad. O Allah! Have mercy on the Umma of Muhammad. [Hilyat al-Awliya’]

Please see the answers in this reader as well:

• A Reader on Pornography and Masturbation

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.