Is it permissible to read books that contain explicit content for educational purposes?

Once Hadrat Hakim Nur-ud-Din ^ra, before his Khilafat, was asked for a reference from pre-Islamic poetry which highlighted a specific rule of Arabic grammar. He immediately quoted a couplet from memory. When he was asked what it meant, he suddenly realized that it had an inappropriate meaning (Mirqatul Yaqin, p. 102).

During our studies, we eventually come across content that is explicit. The best we can do is similar to how we deal with other harmful things we are exposed to in society: We try to filter out the bad or minimize its effects.

Hadrat Nawwab Mubarakah Begum ^ra would not allow her children to read books without her permission. Even as they grew older, she kept a close eye on what they read (Sirat o Swanih Sayyedah Nawwab Mubarakah Begum^ra, p. 239).

She had a very open relationship of trust and dialog that made her children comfortable discussing anything with her. One way to guide children through school is to try our best to be involved.

The Nizam-e-Jama‘at and the Khalifah of the time is there to guide its followers in such matters. Thus, if it is necessary for someone to deal with such subjects, one may directly seek advice from the Khalifah of the time by stating one’s reasons. However, it should be clear that Islam has stressed upon to remain distanced from vices, so much so, that it has commanded to refrain from even the slightest of evils and has admonished to abandon those ways altogether that lead one towards sin. Islam has taught to keep one’s thoughts and intentions pure and clean and has directed men and women alike to lower their gazes lest they become even aware of any evil. Such a practice eventually safeguards their hearts from any ill as well.