Is This a Good Dissertation Topic?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I’m finishing my Master’s degree in literary studies. I  passed all the required courses, and all that is left is my dissertation. For this, I chose to compare one of H.P. Lovecraft’s short novellas, “The Colour Out of Space,” with a film that deals with the same topic.

The problem is that this author wrote his stories within the horror genre, including monsters seeking worship and the like and the utter destruction that they bring, even upon the worshippers themselves, not just those who oppose them.

There is also much controversy about his racial views in real life, but I will be focusing more on his writings, not on such attitudes. Considering that it’s all fiction, should I go on with this project?

Answer

May Allah reward you for seeking a good education and I pray that you can use your acquired skills to benefit many Muslims.

Dissertation

It is permissible for you to continue with this project as the moral behind the story is quite deep and relevant to real life.

Those who worship the Devil will always be betrayed by him, and your story reflects this. If you draw on it from this perspective, you will bring out the best of your dissertation. Beyond your dissertation, there is much benefit to be found in literary fiction that is not immoral and lewd.

Allah Most High has told us in the Quran, “˹They are˺ like Satan when he lures someone to disbelieve. Then after they have done so, he will say ˹on Judgment Day˺, “I have absolutely nothing to do with you. I truly fear Allah—the Lord of all worlds.” [Quran, 59:16]

Please see these links as well:
Reading Literary Fiction
Lord of the Flies: The Benefits of Reading Fiction
Is It Islamically Permissible to Write Fiction?

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters 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.