Writing in Islam: A Skill, a Duty, and a Blessing
Writing is a skill that can be used for good or evil purposes. Muslims should use writing to spread the truth, to invite people to Islam, to educate themselves and others, and to benefit humanity.Writing is a way of seeking knowledge and also a form of worship. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
The Quran is a miracle of writing that contains the words of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Arabic. It is the best source of guidance, mercy, healing, and reminder for the believers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed some of his Companions who could write to record the Quranic verses on various materials such as parchment, leather, bones, and stones.
Muslims should avoid writing anything that contradicts the Quran and Sunnah, or that promotes falsehood or immorality. Writing is a skill that can be used for good or evil purposes. Muslims should use writing to spread the truth, to invite people to Islam, to educate themselves and others, and to benefit humanity.
Allah says:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَٱكْتُبُوهُ ۚ وَلْيَكْتُب بَّيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌۢ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۚ وَلَا يَأْبَ كَاتِبٌ أَن يَكْتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ فَلْيَكْتُبْ وَلْيُمْلِلِ ٱلَّذِى عَلَيْهِ ٱلْحَقُّ وَلْيَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُۥ وَلَا يَبْخَسْ مِنْهُ شَيْـًٔا
…“O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation dictate. And let him fear Allah, his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. …” [Quran 2:282]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) dictated letters to various rulers and tribes, inviting them to Islam and conveying his message. Some of these letters are still preserved in museums and libraries.
Some examples of Muslim writers who dedicated their works to Allah and sought His reward and guidance are:
Imam Bukhari, who compiled the most authentic collection of hadith, called Sahih Al-Bukhari. He spent 16 years traveling and collecting hadith, and he prayed two rak’ahs before including each hadith in his book. He said: "I have not included in my book Al-Jami but what is authentic, and I left out among the authentic for fear of [excessive] length."
Imam Ghazali, who wrote numerous books on Islamic theology, philosophy, law, and spirituality, such as Ihya Ulum Al-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences). He said: "I intend by this book to revive knowledge from its decline, to bring back life to its death, to guide people after their deviation."
Ibn Battuta, who traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world and beyond, and wrote a famous account of his journeys, called Rihla (The Travels).