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Reading Persian book Shahnameh

Question

Assalaamu alaykum. Is it permissible to read Shahnameh?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi about the Persian history. We do not know any details about the content of the book so that we may form a judgment about it. However, our advice is that you do not read it as long as you do not need to do so. It is better for the seeker of knowledge, and the Muslim in general, to devote his time to reading what benefits him. Indeed, the Muslim's time is too precious to be wasted on less important and beneficial activities. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “Two blessings which many people squander: good health and free time.” [Al-Bukhari]

Allah knows best.

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