Should I write it?

 

السلام عليكم readers!

When we think of creativity, the one thing to pop up out of many is ‘creative writing’. Creativity and writing are strongly connected. Since creative people like to write and writing increases creativity. You cannot untie the both. There is no doubt that creativity and writing both are significant to the human mind and making efforts to nourish them is important too.

However, in our effort to write something new, or creatively impact the world, we, sometimes, forget about the unintended outcomes of what we choose to write. Notwithstanding that fact that fine pieces of literature have their own substance and value, it cannot be denied that a meaningless discourse with excellent vocabulary and carefully crafted sentences is, at the end of the day, meaningless. It falls on a writer’s shoulders to embrace the responsibility of being truthful, honest, wise and far-sighted just as much as he is creative, eloquent and passionate about his work. In fact, the latter is still a trivial matter compared to former. Like the great scholar إمام ذوالنون المصري رحمه الله رحمة واسعة said

وما من كاتب الا سيبلى

There is no writer, except that he shall worn out

ويبقى الدهر ما كتبت يداه

And what shall remain for an era is that which his hands wrote down

فلا تكتب بكفك غير شيء

So do not write with your hand except that which

يسرك في القيامة أن تراه

Makes you happy when you see it on the Day of Judgment

Oh! Just witness the wisdom of this scholar who has used creativity to tell us what we should not do with ours. May Allah have immense mercy on him.

Ever since, I have come across this piece of poetry, I keep on reminding myself that whatever I write may survive longer than my own self. An opinion does not need to be jotted down on everything unless I am adequately informed. And a writing that is meaningless-or in worse case- inclining towards sin, can be a reason of-God forbid- being held for strict accountability in the hereafter (May Allah enter all of us into jannah without accountability).

Sinful writing or poetry can revolve around many topics. Examples of it can consist writing that create nothing but despair, false journalism, presentation of historical events that never took place or simply anything that is not sufficiently reflected upon. In fact, in case of reflecting in the wrong direction, even reflected upon writings can be a portrayal of irresponsibility.

Similarly, uninformed and poorly researched understanding and writings related to Islam or Muslims or the community of Ahlus-sunnah-wal Jama’ah, or trying to create misunderstandings around the agreed upon beliefs of Muslims and majority of rightful scholars, or mentioning incorrect or partially correct translations and meanings of Quranic verses, ahadith-to which my last blog is dedicated in detail- all can be deemed as examples of irresponsible writing.

Likewise any book, blog or write-up based around bashing or humiliating a rightful person or a group of people can be considered as heedless and misguided. It can also be the other way round if any of the sins or related people -openly doing sins- are praised or made to be shown as heroes. Examples can include-celebrities, actors, actresses, family vloggers, singers, musicians. Think of how we start admiring the heroes of Islam when we read their biographies. Likewise, if undeserving or secular people are read or written about in a way that portrays their characters to be role models, this can encourage admiration for them amongst the masses. Hence vigilance is inevitable in both cases.

Another rampant norm is to recommend books, movies and entertainment-related content in the form of written reviews. We need to look into this matter more than anything, given that it’s spreading like fire. Suggesting or positively reviewing immodest, indecent books, novels-mostly from the genre of romance and thrillers that trigger unnecessary emotions and hormones- and mostly all movies containing music, immodest scenes and irreligious aspects can unarguably be counted as irresponsible writing. Exceptions may exist!

Honestly, it’s not even that hard! All we need to do is sit ourselves down before a topic pops up and make a simple question “Should I really write this down?  Will it only satiate my conscience or will it actually serve a worthwhile purpose? And do not forget to ask “will it foster a sin amongst the readers or cause to prevail a good deed?” If decision-making becomes a task, you may also consult a knowledgeable person-ideally a scholar of Islam.

Let us realize the importance of writing. Let us understand what it is not for. Allah has given us an extra-ordinary tool to express ourselves. Let us not use it to our own disadvantage on the Day of Judgment.