What is the ruling on listening to tapes that contain stories, and is it permissible to distribute them?

Question:
May Allah reward you. This questioner says: Many people these days listen to tapes that contain stories. Is adopting this method of storytelling an innovation? And is it permissible to distribute these tapes?

Answer:
Occupying oneself with stories constantly, and doing nothing but stories, that is not allowed. However, if the stories are authentic, established, and contain a lesson, there is no harm. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, narrated to us in the Qur'an He narrated to us the stories of the prophets and the disbelieving nations, and He narrated to us what will happen in the end times and what will happen on the Day of Judgment. So if the stories contain a lesson and admonition, there is no harm in them. But they should not be excessive; rather, they should be a part of the work and the call to Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Yes. As for stories that are fictional, or stories for the sake of entertainment and passing the time, that is a waste of time and it is not permissible to occupy oneself with them, especially for students of knowledge and callers to Allah. Yes.