piano

[prayerbone]

hi i play the piano,some brothers & sister say i shouldn't some say i can..whats the facts on musical instruments are they allowed in Islam or not???

andy

[henna]

im not quite sure but i think piano is a string instrument therefore were not allowed to play the piano.

[Mabsoot]

Assalamu Alaykum,

Heres an Islamic Ruling about music, singing and dancing
http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=5000&ln=eng

[prayerbone]

hi thks for reply,that site seems to imply u cant play musical instruments

"This hadeeth indicates in two ways that musical instruments and enjoyment of listening to music are haraam"

its kind of complicated..mannnn thats tough if ve read that right..
andy

[Karima]

Prayerbone, I know some muslims who were brought up taking piano lessons. Even some of the most conservative ones asked if I would teach their daughters how to play the piano. (does this contradict the teachings of Islam???)
Because the 'gift' of knowing how to play the piano since very young, I feel that if I give this up to become a muslim, would be like cutting off my hands. I have no opinion in this area, because it is so alive inside of me, when I play the piano to worship God.
I can understand this thread of concern.
Rules are rules, and am if I better off not ever playing the piano again? I have to leave this one up to God.

[prayerbone]

hi kristina i read ur intro it was really touching,ive been having a rough time of late it was a real blessing !! we seem to come from the same back ground christian faith etc..
i have a real problem with this question..i read some article by yusuf islam (cat stevens) to get some answers,hes gone back to playing certain music now,but its been very controversial..i dont think i could give up i really dont (not that i'm any good haha)!
andy


ps why would God mind if were playin music for him?? birds sing!!

[oceane]

salam aleikoum,

i also have been playing piano since a kid, 13 years... i stopped 2 years ago. First, i continued listening to CDs, concerts... Now i can say i'm off.
It was clear to me : piano or.. Allah?

Insha Allah, you'll be able to stop

fee amanee Allah

[sunshine]

The best gift that Allah has given us is to know Him, to Know Islam. If you have to give up something to become a better Muslim, I am sure you are going to receive something much better than that.

[prayerbone]

hi its not so much the giving up,its the interpretation of that verse “And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah…” [Luqmaan 31:6]
if ur playing music to Allah how can that mislead people away from him?
andy

[Karima]

I think forms of dancing, worldly pleasures, would be more frowned upon than the beautiful music of piano which is a stringed instrument.

[Mrmuslim]

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين إن للشهوات سلطانا على النفوس ، واستيلاء وتمكنا في
القلوب ، فتركها عزيز ، والخلاص منها عسير ،ولكن من أتقى الله كفاه ....ومن استعان به أعانه ..
.وإنما يجد المشقة في ترك المألوفات والعوائد من تركها لغير الله ، أما من تركها مخلصا لله فإنه لا يجد في تركها مشقة إلا أول وهلة ،
ليمتحن أصادق في تركها أم كاذب ، فإن صبر على تلك المشقة قليلا استحالت لذة ، وكلما ازدادت الرغبة في المحرم وتاقت النفس إلى
فعله...عظم الأجر في تركه وتضاعفت المثوبة في مجاهدة النفس على الخلاص منه ...
Transl/
The desires (it can be anything) accompanied by wider images which can possess the souls, and takeover our hearts, leaving and salvation of our soul and heart from theses desires is very very hard

But a person with Taqwa (God Consciousness) which allows him to constantly a ware of God presence and his ability to be present in every place at any, and/or every, time help the person in leaving the desire.
We find hardship in the leaving our desires when we leave them for other than Allah, but when we leave them sincerely for Allah we might find it hard only for the first glance, this hardship is a test from Allah to see our sincerity in leaving our desires.
If we stay strong and patient on these hardships the desire will not find its way to our hearts.
And when ever our desires increase to commit moharam.
The reward from Allah are doubled in the striving for salvation of the soul to leave this desire...

We need to remember the hadith:

نبي الإسلام قد قال : " من ترك شيئا لله عوضه الله خيرا منه "

The Prophet peace be up on him said: “Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better.”

May Allah Help us in to stay a way from evil of our desires.

wa salaam alikom

[ahmadyaacob]

Assalamualaikum

I was moved with the discussion on piano or perhaps "music". I am not a musician and I do not play any musical instruments either. I supposed I have to disagree with most of you here. Brother Mabsoot has given a very lengthy explanation on the fatwa regarding music. In short the fatwa has clearly said "the view that music is permissible has no firm basis". Meaning that there is a second view on the matter that maintains it as permissible.

There is a tradition of the Prophet Pbuh that permits singing on Eid festival and also a tradition of the Prophet Pbuh to proclaim the wedding by playing a musical instrument of dubb (If I not mistaken, please correct me if I am wrong). The idea of string instrument came about during the times of Syakh al-Islam Imam al-Ghazzali, who prohibits the playing of musical instruments and even he asked them to be destroyed. This can be found in his famous work of Ihya Ulum al-Din. I did some research on the matter, and I asked some of my friends regarding this as well. In short, Imam al-Ghazzali's opinion was based on the conditions of the times, whereby music is always be associated with zina and musicians played their instruments at "this place".

My view on the matter would be the reason for allowing and disallowing the playing of musical instruments. If music is associated with haram activities, then it is haram. "Ma adda ila haram fahuwa haram" (Things that leads to haram is considered as haram) and based on the Sadd Dzara'i (blocking the means).

On this point, I would agree to some of the opinions of "moderate Muslims" of allowing the playing of musical instruments (although I did not play any) and listening them if the reasons of disallowing is not exist, such as
a) it does not lead to haram activities,
b) the songs or lyrics are not contradict to Islam
c) the playing/listening of music did not put you away from carry out your duty to Allah and to others
d) Islamic ethic is preserved.

As a human being, we need entertainment. Life is dull without it. I am not an artist, but I love to hear nice Islamic songs like brother Yusuf Islam and Raihan (Malaysia) as well as other groups. I am sure music can play a part in dakwah especially for the kids and the youth today.

:astag: I beg forgiveness from Allah for my mistake. Allah knows best.

:wasalam:

[Hasib]

:salam2:
interesting issue.
I hope there are more views that come up

I my self thought that nasheed without instrumental music is only allowed but I am not completely sure about it.

:wasalam:

[Mrmuslim]

Assalamualaikum

I was moved with the discussion on piano or perhaps "music". I am not a musician and I do not play any musical instruments either. I supposed I have to disagree with most of you here. Brother Mabsoot has given a very lengthy explanation on the fatwa regarding music. In short the fatwa has clearly said "the view that music is permissible has no firm basis". Meaning that there is a second view on the matter that maintains it as permissible.

There is a tradition of the Prophet Pbuh that permits singing on Eid festival and also a tradition of the Prophet Pbuh to proclaim the wedding by playing a musical instrument of dubb (If I not mistaken, please correct me if I am wrong). The idea of string instrument came about during the times of Syakh al-Islam Imam al-Ghazzali, who prohibits the playing of musical instruments and even he asked them to be destroyed. This can be found in his famous work of Ihya Ulum al-Din. I did some research on the matter, and I asked some of my friends regarding this as well. In short, Imam al-Ghazzali's opinion was based on the conditions of the times, whereby music is always be associated with zina and musicians played their instruments at "this place".

My view on the matter would be the reason for allowing and disallowing the playing of musical instruments. If music is associated with haram activities, then it is haram. "Ma adda ila haram fahuwa haram" (Things that leads to haram is considered as haram) and based on the Sadd Dzara'i (blocking the means).

On this point, I would agree to some of the opinions of "moderate Muslims" of allowing the playing of musical instruments (although I did not play any) and listening them if the reasons of disallowing is not exist, such as
a) it does not lead to haram activities,
b) the songs or lyrics are not contradict to Islam
c) the playing/listening of music did not put you away from carry out your duty to Allah and to others
d) Islamic ethic is preserved.

As a human being, we need entertainment. Life is dull without it. I am not an artist, but I love to hear nice Islamic songs like brother Yusuf Islam and Raihan (Malaysia) as well as other groups. I am sure music can play a part in dakwah especially for the kids and the youth today.

:astag: I beg forgiveness from Allah for my mistake. Allah knows best.

:wasalam:




salaam alikom brother,
Well yes its in tradition of the Prophet Peace be up on him that permits singing on Eid for ladies and kids in thier own area and with the Duff (drumps)
it was never for men or with instrument.
from the site which brother Mabsoot posted you find this hadith

As for instrument there is Hadith of the prophet Peace be up on him said
“Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zinaa, silk, alcohol and musical instruments…”
This hadeeth indicates in two ways that musical instruments and enjoyment of listening to music are haraam. The first is the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “[they] permit” which clearly indicates that the things mentioned, including musical instruments, are haraam according to sharee’ah, but those people will permit them. the second way it said it might associated with zina.

there is another Hadith of the prophet peace be up him said

ماجعل الله لرجلٍ من قلبين في جوفه

"Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his body"

so our heart either will be busy with Quran and hadith or with songs which now days once we listen to them it keep our toque and heart busy.
and there are many incidents and stories which will make us think twice,
One of these stories said by a police officer in Saudi and it was a reason for him to repent to Allah, one of the nights when he was in his shift he saw a car accident in which a group of friends were traveling he hurried with other officers to the accident scene where thy found most of the people were badly injured and the music was still running in the car one of them was in his last breath so he tried to help him to say the Kalima ( اشهد ان لا اله الا الله وان محمد رسول الله ) ) but the guy instead repeating the kalimah he started singing and he kept repeating the song till he died. :confused: :frown: may Allah portect us all

I didnt hear that the Islamic Nasheeds are Haraam,
but when the instrument get involved most of the scholars said its Haram,
some time yes we do listen to nasheeds which have instruments but that us we want to justify our actions by finding excuses to say its not haraam and that there is 2 opinion BUT the above Hadith is clear.(Among my ummah there )

Wallah Alam ( Allah knows the best)
may Allah forgive us all since we commit mistakes all the time.

wa salaam alikom

[oceane]

brother prayerbone, i am not the right person to explain this to you, but it's called "innovation"..

[abdullah.mujihid]

Maybe I am wrong but doesnt Allah SWT give us the gifts to do certain things, ie, playing an insterment, the gift to draw and paint or be artistic for that matter, or with a beautiful voice to sing and recite with? I feel I was blessed by Allah SWT with a beautiful voice. Before I converted to Islam I used it to sing Christian praise and worship songs to God. Now I feel that I still have this gift from Allah so I use it to recite and praise the all mighty Allah. I think that it is how you use your gift that becomes the sin. If we do not use the gifts that were given to us by Allah SWT to glorify Him the that is where the sin is. Once again maybe I am wrong. I am A new Muslim only for almost a year. If I am wrong please forgive my ignorance.

[prayerbone]

great post ahmadyaacob i agree 100%!!

to Mrmuslim you said

"so our heart either will be busy with Quran and hadith or with songs which now days once we listen to them it keep our tongue and heart busy."

what exactly is the diference between music and hobbies that arnt haraam?not all hobbies are haraam, but sill take the same amount of dedication as music..if we follow this logic all hobbies should be haraam then surely?? from flower arranging to calligraphy


ocene i will look up "innovation thks

andy


edited this is a interesting topic,which also brings in the muslim in europe thread..as a reverts to Islam..i'm constantly reminded of the contradictions of what i'm told is being a Muslim and whats praticed by born Muslims,its very confusing..for example we revert and then learn the basic's no drink no music..but then i'm confronted by many Mulsim business that provide drink and have music constantly playing,its enough to make me think "ahhh there must be a middle rd after ive settled into Islam,between extreme to moderate,after all they seem content to bend the rules so why not me a revert"...very confusing

[ashah]

ps why would God mind if were playin music for him?? birds sing!!

Is it complain to God:astag: or suggestion to God:astag:

Atleast one thing is clear that one should not play music to worship Allah.
Because Messenger of Allah have told us how to worship him and he didnt mention in that of playing music to worship Allah.

But if you wanna play music for your soul that is a different thing.

[prayerbone]

hummmm more a call for common sence that Gods not that petty and that this is a issue of interpretation

[Mabsoot]

for example we revert and then learn the basic's no drink no music..but then i'm confronted by many Mulsim business that provide drink and have music constantly playing,its enough to make me think "ahhh there must be a middle rd after ive settled into Islam,between extreme to moderate,after all they seem content to bend the rules so why not me a revert"...very confusing

Assalamu alaykum,

Unfortunately some people being born Muslim do not implement islam in their lives. So yeah, some will sell alcohol, drink it even...or allow people to drink it in their restaurants etc.. but this is because they are away from Islam. Either it is deliberate or they never managed to experience Islam which was not just a "cultural" thing. Or perhaps they do not have so much faith that God will provide them with money and they dont need to allow Alcohol into their businesses.

Often, many people are raised up with Islam just being part of their culture. It was not something that was seen as a serious part of their life.

Islam in its true essence is about moderation in all things. Not drinking alchol or listening to music etc is not extreme :)

I believe it is important for you and for other New Muslims to work on the basics first inshaAllah. Such as Tawheed, prayer, fasting etc.

The answer to these questions about music are all in the first link i gave.

I ask Allah to help us and increase our faith.

[ashah]

:salam2:
I am agree with Brother Mabsoot. One should first rectify his belief(Tawheed,Salah, Saum etc) in Allah.

I have read the example of Brother Yousaf Islam that now he is singing. But one should not forget that he spend the 10 years of his life without music after reverting. And after 10 years of deep study of Islam he came to this conclusion.


:wasalam:

[prayerbone]

hi i agree tawheed salah saum etc..

but if yusaf came to that conclusion after 10 years i'd rather miss out the "middle man" and stay playin lol ater all thats 10 years of pratices ;-)~

[Karima]

Prayerbone,
You are keeping so much alive with your posts...thank you for your sense of 'reality'...and also for the link to Galloway's video...with the senate...
Keep in mind that we are learning what is best for us in all things related to Islam.
We are fortunate that we can learn from those who have good foundations of Islam to help guide us. Alhamdulillah....
The simple thread about piano has been interesting to read the posts from.

[ashah]

hi i agree tawheed salah saum etc..

but if yusaf came to that conclusion after 10 years i'd rather miss out the "middle man" and stay playin lol ater all thats 10 years of pratices ;-)~

Questions
1-What would you do by playing/singing music? for ur self (soul/"nafs") or to spread the message of Islam

2-Were/are u same famous like Brother Yousaf, Yes or NO? if yes then it would help the muslim community to get wider and to spread the message of Islam. If no then thats mean you are playing for your soul/'nafs'.

3-Why would brother Yousaf like to play music after 10 years? because he says that its hard for him to spread the message of Islam by giving lectures and he decided to use music as tool to spread the message of Islam. And off course people/his fans will listen to him as changed man and that will serve Islam.

I think(its not final) if you can do same things and sing/play music in its limits in Islam then you are allowed to do that.

[prayerbone]

hi i remember once reading about a reverts of how he came to Islam because he saw the saudi king be buried,it struck him with amazement at how it was like every other muslims funeral..islam is equal it is for all and the same rules rule all, there are no speical cases..its right or its wrong for all!
andy

[ashah]

hi i remember once reading about a reverts of how he came to Islam because he saw the saudi king be buried,it struck him with amazement at how it was like every other muslims funeral..islam is equal it is for all and the same rules rule all, there are no speical cases..its right or its wrong for all!
andy

You are absolutely right that every one is equal in Islam. But when we think who is more closer to Allah in Islam. then the answer is he would be more pious.

And again there are no special cases...its right or it wrong. But how would you determin if that is right or wrong. Then either you need to believe a trusted schollar(as the link given by brother Mabsoot)or you need to study the religion yourself by spending a fair period of your life as Brother Yousaf did.

:wasalam:
Allah knows the Best

[Mabsoot]

hi i remember once reading about a reverts of how he came to Islam because he saw the saudi king be buried,it struck him with amazement at how it was like every other muslims funeral..islam is equal it is for all and the same rules rule all, there are no speical cases..its right or its wrong for all!
andy

assalamu alaykum...

yeaaah, it was an Italian Priest! He saw that even though the King had lived such a rich life, in the end he was buried in a simple shroud. THis is the traditional way to be buried in Islam, without a coffin.

wassalam.

[ashah]

assalamu alaykum...

yeaaah, it was an Italian Priest! He saw that even though the King had lived such a rich life, in the end he was buried in a simple shroud. THis is the traditional way to be buried in Islam, without a coffin.

wassalam.
:salam2:
Hi would you put some more light on its tradional way to buried in Islam with out coffin.
:wasalam:

[Abu.Amirah]

A/A,

Here in Kenya there are so many churches and whenever you look on tv's and on the roadside when they are preaching you will see alot of people participating.So big crowd that you will wonder if a prophet was sent down there.But always you will find the place to be noisy because of the way they use to attract them to the crowd. They go to those places because they are being attracted by the music and dancing and as I was discussing this issue with few christians they agreed that if there was no music then only few will attend there.
So what do we learn out of this issue?
That when the words of God are spoken through songs people hear them cleary and understand better?
Is God deaf that we need to raise our voice for Him to hear us? Or do we have to jump up and down so that He can see us that we need Him?
If passing the message of God will be better by putting them in songs then we are following their steps.Why should we do that? :astag:
If Allah gave you the gift of good voice then why dont you use it to recite the Quran for people and preaching with it the words of our Lord?
Am afraid that Music makes you end up in Haram why am saying this is by looking for the examples of those who used to sing.Majority of those who were singing in churches found that they have good voice and at last they left and started to sing and became the pop stars.So sheitan will not just come to us direct but he will always look where our weakness is.

Here in mombasa our houses are so closed to each other that when one shout or talk loudly then the neighbour can here.So if a sister is listening to a sami yousuf song and you know how they loved him and she follows the song and maybe even dancing in her room then another person next building is sitting and now listening to the lady singing and he is attracted with the voice and might end up whole day sitting there only attracted to that voice but not the words of sami yousuf's song.
If this was the best way then our Prophet(s.a.w) could have used the same example to us.
There is alot of effects in music and we all know its true but we dont want to admit it but you have to remember there are so many things that we have to sacrifice in this world for the sake of Allah and not only Music.

If you are an english man and you go to china and you are in the market places you dont know their language what will you say? they are singing? This same applys to the bird singing.We dont understand what the bird is saying thats is how they were created :subhanallah: but we cant say its singing, Allah knows the best.

Please corect me anywhere am wrong,Allah knows the best!
Allah forgive us and guide us the right way,Amin!
:jazaak: :)

[Asma]

As Salaam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,
I understand how you feel.I had and still have a love for a few things that I am talented in. I can draw and sing very well. I use to do portrait drawings and paintings.I wanted the person when they saw my drawings to feel the realness that I was trying to portray.Also,I had a strong love for reggae music,it was like my gospel(as they say).I discovered that I too could sing.The more I sung the better I got.Then, I met my husband that I'm married to now.My world changed.Alhamdullilah! My husband told me and he showed me,that what I was doing was harram. I had to let go of things I loved.The music was first.He said if I died at that very moment what would be on my mind and heart.I said the music of the reggae group Steel Pulse.Then he said ,it would be better to die with ALLAH on my mind and heart.I wanted him to hear me sing,but he would not listen.He said,if I sing throughout the house,it would only increase my desire to continue.My drawings he also would not look at. Now for the music,I stopped playing and listening to.I started saying ALLAHUAKBAR,more and more. The singing I sometimes still do,but I catch myself and I try hard to control.When I want to fight the urge to sing,I say ALHAMDULLILAH over and over again..I would have to say the drawing was the hardest to accept, but the easiest to get over,once I cut my drawings that I loved to shreds.That was the end of drawing, because I seldom drew the same thing twice.. What I'm saying is,the things that we like or feel we love,can't do for us,what ALLAH can.So my new gospel is "O ye who believe!Remember ALLAH with much remembrance; And glorify Him early and late."
Oh yeah! I discovered I like to write. May ALLAH bless and help us all through our trials and tribulations. Growing to love ALLAH is the GREATEST Love of ALL.

[ahmadyaacob]

:salam2:

It is not my intention to create any misunderstanding regarding Islam or perhaps to create confusion. Let me first try to elaborate that what are discussing can be considered as a minor subject (furu') which in fact can be debated and we can agree to disagree. This is what we call as "ethic of disagreement in Islam" whereby a scholar might be having his opinion contrast to other scholars. Yes, it is a healthy culture so that muslims do have choices and situations may vary thus in consequent the hukm is varied accordingly. In short, we may disagree as long as it is not involve aqidah, syariah and other major aspects or foundations of Islam.

I wish to refer to brother Mabsoot when he mentioned about "moderation". Yes I agree that Islam does reflect moderation and balance. I am sure that we have to be balance and moderate in terms of giving attention to worldly life as well as youm akhirat (hereafter), thus we read "rabbana aatina fiddunya hasanah wa fil akhirati hasanah wa qina azabban nar".

I would like to take your attention to a famous book written by a most celebrated contemporary Muslim scholar Prof. Dr. Yusuf al-Qardhawi, entitled Al-Halal wa al-Haram fi al-Islam. Dr. Yusuf has mentioned in his book page 290 - 295 regarding the topic of Singing and Music. Here he had made references to several hadith and the opinions of the muslims scholars including Imam al-Ghazali. Dr. Yusuf has stated that Islam has permitted the singing and music on conditions that it does not involve or lead to committing sin.

I would not be able to pass my judgement to brother andy since I did not know his situation, as how far does music influence his life so on so forth. For I am afraid that I might be wrong to give a blanket approval when the situation may be varied. However, let me give some advice here is that you have to be fair to yourself. You may need to have some rest and your soul might need some too. But, ask Allah if your decision to continue to be involved in music and singing is a better approach than busying yourself in reading al-Quran and zikrullah instead. I am sure, some of us have gave their experiences on how they have been able to make a better decision and how far they have succeded.

:astag: may Allah forgives me for my mistakes.
:wasalam:

[Karima]

Asalamualikum,

I have read and re-read all of these discussions. Music within me from Allah is ALIVE, and I am most prayerful when I can play on the piano to my Creator!

In spite of all the 'rules' of Islam, if music dies in me, then I am dead. I am not pushing music on others. This is part of my being. And I have gone without music, no playing on the piano, and I was dying to a beautiful gift that only Allah can supply to me. I could not do this without the natural talent given to me. Many people have 'gifts' of language, mathematics, art, and mine is music. I did not choose this gift.

I choose to remain fully alive and praise my creator with music. I have given this much thought, and I cannot give up this natural talent to praise my creator with music from within.

Sallam

[samiha]

:salam2:

I wish to refer to brother Mabsoot when he mentioned about "moderation". Yes I agree that Islam does reflect moderation and balance. I am sure that we have to be balance and moderate in terms of giving attention to worldly life as well as youm akhirat (hereafter), thus we read "rabbana aatina fiddunya hasanah wa fil akhirati hasanah wa qina azabban nar".

I would like to take your attention to a famous book written by a most celebrated contemporary Muslim scholar Prof. Dr. Yusuf al-Qardhawi, entitled Al-Halal wa al-Haram fi al-Islam. Dr. Yusuf has mentioned in his book page 290 - 295 regarding the topic of Singing and Music. Here he had made references to several hadith and the opinions of the muslims scholars including Imam al-Ghazali. Dr. Yusuf has stated that Islam has permitted the singing and music on conditions that it does not involve or lead to committing sin.

I would not be able to pass my judgement to brother andy since I did not know his situation, as how far does music influence his life so on so forth. For I am afraid that I might be wrong to give a blanket approval when the situation may be varied. However, let me give some advice here is that you have to be fair to yourself. You may need to have some rest and your soul might need some too. But, ask Allah if your decision to continue to be involved in music and singing is a better approach than busying yourself in reading al-Quran and zikrullah instead. I am sure, some of us have gave their experiences on how they have been able to make a better decision and how far they have succeded.

:astag: may Allah forgives me for my mistakes.
:wasalam:
:salam2:
brother i have this book in the English version and it does say that music might be permitted but I didn't find any hadith that he supported that allowed music except that of the duff. All the other hadith seemed to only pertain to singing, and most scholors see nothing wrong in halal singing.
Also it seems some people have a kind of addiction to music, it should not be said that one cannot live without music as only Allah knows what one can and cannot live without. Music can NEVER be placed on the same level as the Quran as the Quran is the word of Allah. I have heard that music is prohibited because it causes lustful desires and because a heart with music cannot memorize the Quran as well. Remember brothers and sisters in Islam, Allah comes first!

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As may Allah bless him reported: The Prophet peace be upon him said, “The one who was devoted to the Quran will be told on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.’” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]

Uthman inb Affan may Allah bless him reported that the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said, “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it.” [Al-Bukhari]

These hadith don't say that music is any aid to us in this life or hereafter, the Quran is. We should devout ourselves to the Quran. Teaching music won't rise us in ranks in Paradise but the Quran will. As I see it, and of course Allah knows best, I think it is best to abstain from music at all costs. Adhere yourself to the Quran and let there be no tie remain to this temporary dunya.

If I have offended anyone... forgive me, and if I have written anything wrong it is from me and Satan and please correct me.

May Allah save us all from ignorance and help us on the right path. Ameen.

:wasalam:

[ibnAbdullah87]

Listening to music and singing is a sin and cause for the sickening and weakening of the heart. The majority of the scholars of the Salaf are unanimous that listening to music and singing and using musical instruments is Haram (prohibited).
Evidence that Music and Singing are Haram

1. Allaah said, what translated means, "And of mankind he who purchases idle talks to mislead (people) from the Path of Allaah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allaah) by way of mockery, For such there will be a humiliating torment." [31:6].

Al-Wahidi , along with other scholars of Tafsir (explaining the Qur'aan), said that "Idle Talk" in this Ayah is singing. The following companions gave this Tafsir: Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masud, Mujahid and Ikrimah . Ibn Masud said, "By Allaah, whom there is no God except Him, idle talk is singing."

2. The Prophet said (which means), "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allaah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection." [Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v].

This Hadeeth states that musical instruments are Haram, and there is no disagreement among the scholars on this. In his book, Ighathat Al-Lahfan, Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "When the Prophet said, 'render as lawful,' he meant that it was unlawful, then the people made it lawful."

3. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said, what translated means, group of this nation will be transformed into monkeys and swine." They said, "Do not they testify that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammed is His Messenger?" He said, "Yes. And also they fast pray and perform Hajj." They said, "Then, what is their problem?" He said, "They use musical instruments, drums and female singers. (One day) they will go to sleep after a night of drinking and having fun, In the morning, they will be transformed (by Allaah) into monkeys and swine." [Iughathat Al-Lahfan].

4. Allaah said, criticizing the Kuffar's worship around the Kaa'bah, what translated means, "Their prayer at the House (Kaa'bah) was nothing but Muka'an and Tasdiyah." [8:35]. Ibn Abbas, Ibn Umar, Atiyyah, Muj ahid, Ad-Dhahh'ak, AlHasan and Qatadah said that Muka'an means whistling, and that Tasdiyah means clapping of hands.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sayings of the Scholars Regarding Music and Singing
Imam IbnTaymiyyah said, "Listening to music and sinful fun are among what strengthens the satanic ways the most. This is exactly what the disbeliever's used to do. Allaah said, And their prayer at the House (of Allaah) was nothing but Muka 'an and Tasdiyah. [8:35]. Ibn Abbas, ibn Umar and others said that Tasdiyah is clapping of hands, and that Muka'an is whistling. This was the Mushrikeen's way of worship. The Prophet and his companions worshipped Allaah , according to His order, in their prayer, reading the Qur'aan and Dhikr (supplication). It never occurred that the Prophet and his companions gathered to listen to singing that is accompanied by clapping or using drums."

Imam Ibn Taymiyyah also said regarding the person, whose habit is to listen to music, "His state of emotions becomes less passionate when he hears the Qur'aan. On the contrary, when he listens to instruments of the devil (music), he dances a lot. If the prayer is established, he either prays while sitting down or performs it as fast as when the roaster picks seeds. He dislikes listening to the Qur'aan and does not find beauty in it while reciting it. He has no taste for the Qur'aan and feels no love for it or pleasure when it is read. Rather, he finds pleasure if he listens to Mukaa' or Tasdiyah. These are satanic pleasures and he is among those whom Allaah mentioned in the Ayah, And whosoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allaah), We appoint for him Satan to be a companion for him. [43:36]." [Awliyaa' Ar-Rahman].

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "Of the tricks of the enemy of Allaah, Satan, that he uses to trap those who do not enjoy much intelligence, knowledge or sincerity in religion, are M ukaa' and Tasdiyah. These people of ignorance listen to and use musical instruments that are prohibited and which lead the hearts to abandoning the Qur'aan. These hearts are indulging in sin and disobedience of Allaah. Music, then, is Satan's Qur'aan and the barrier between one and Allaah. It is the way to sodomy and adultery. With it, the lover finds what he seeks and dreams of sinful love. Satan has trapped the weak hearts in the love of singing and made it beautiful to them. Satan reveals to his agents' fake proofs that they use as evidence to the beauty of singing. These people accept Satan's revelation and, as a consequence, abandon the Qur'aan. When you witness them while listening, you will find them silent in humbleness, sitting idle and their hearts are concentrating and totally enjoying music and singing. Their hearts will feel closer to music, as if they were drunk. They dance and move in a suggestive manner, like faggots and whores. And why not? They are drunk with the pleasure of listening to music and singing and act accordingly. For other than Allaah, and for Satan, there are hearts that are being broken by sin, and fortunes that are being spent for other than Allaah's Pleasure. They spend their lives in joyful fun and make a mockery of their religion. Instruments of the devil are sweeter to their ears than the Qur'aan. If one of them listens to the Qur'aan from beginning to end, it will have little effect or excitement on him. If Satan's Qur'aan is being performed and heard, they feel joy in their hearts and one can see it in their eyes. Their feet dance, their hands clap, their breathing intensifies and the rest of their bodies feel joy. O you who are trapped in this sin, you who have sold your share of Allaah to Satan, what a losing deal! Why not feels this joy when you listen to the Qur'aan? Why not feel pleasure and comfort when the Glorious Qur'aan is recited? But, everyone seeks what he feels is suitable for him, and ends up with what is really suitable for him." [Ighathat Al-Lahfan].

Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz was asked about listening to music and songs, "Is it Haram? I only listen to it for pleasure. What about playing the Rababah (a kind of guitar) and old songs? What about using drums in weddings?"

Sheikh Ibn Baz said, "Listening to music is Haram and a sin. It is a matter that leads to weakening the hearts and abandoning the Dhikr of Allaah and the prayer. The scholars said about the Ayah, And of' mankind he who purchases idle talks [31:6], that idle talks means singing. Abdullaah ibn Masud , the Prophet's companion, used to swear by Allaah that it is singing. If singing is accompanied by the Rababah, 'Ud (Arabic guitar), fiddles or drums, it is even more Haram. Any singing with any instrument is Haram and the scholars are unanimous on this. Therefore, Muslims must be aware of it. The Prophet said, "From among my nation there will be those who render as lawful adultery, silk (for men), AI-Khamr (alcohol) and musical instruments." [Al-Bukhari]. I advise you and others to read the Qur'aan and keep remembering Allaah. I advise you to listen to Qur'aanic programs on the radio. This way, one will find pleasure and will keep busy so he can stay away from music and songs. As for weddings, the Daff (tambourine) can be used along with innocent singing that does not call to sin. This can be done at night, only in weddings and only by and for women. These songs are a way of announcing an Islaamic marriage. The Sunnah of the Prophet supports the above. As for the drums, they are Haram all the time. The Daffis permitted in weddings and only for and by women."


Many Muslims today render music as permissible. This is due to their ignorance or outright defiance of the religion. We ask Allaah that we are among those who listen to the speech and follow the best of what it contains. These are the ones whom Allaah has guided and granted them the bounty of sanity and comprehending minds.



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[Karima]

Asalamualikum,

This forum was not about music for drunks. It was about music and piano. It is easy to elaborate on the use of music which 'takes away' from thinking of Allah. When I listen to music, I think of Allah....no matter what form it is from...either strings, flutes, harps, etc.

Sallam

[Kayote]

Asalamualikum,

This forum was not about music for drunks. It was about music and piano. It is easy to elaborate on the use of music which 'takes away' from thinking of Allah. When I listen to music, I think of Allah....no matter what form it is from...either strings, flutes, harps, etc.

Sallam

Karima,

While Im with you that I very much enjoy my music (I mainly listen to soundtracks - slow, thoughtful & sweeping music) but I have to say from personal experience, that music doesnt attract me towards prayers as often as it should (if it is meant to at all!).

There is no doubt in my mind that music attracts shaitan (I only say this from my personal experience) yet I find it very hard to stay away from. It maybe because when Im in a thoughtful mood, soundtracks really help me think about this world & its principles etc.

Here is somehting to ponder on. Granted that you love music but shouldnt you have love for Quran. How often do you read & understand (read translation etc) of the Quran compared to music. If you are anything like me, the proportion of music (we listen to) to recitation of the Quran will be shameful. Is that not because the Shaitan wants us to feel we are remembering Allah through music when there is clearly a FAR FAR superior way to remember our Creator?

I do find ibnAbdullah87's views very strict & focused & sometimes she doesnt give the view of other scholars or the other half of the debate. I do want to find out more about the music & what Islam has to say about this but I honestly believe, if you think about it deeply & sincerely, you will find music to not lead you towards Allah.

Here is my personal story: Most of the days, I work from 8-6pm a day. Because my company being in Media industry, staff is a very lively bunch of people. I tend to put on music (headphones) & listen to music on avg. 5-6 hours a day so I can concentrate & get on with my reports without the distraction of fun & laughter in the background. During Ramadan, Ive vowed to not listen to music & while I am still finding it very hard (its already 9 days into the month) to not listen to music, I do believe my concentration n prayers & remembering Allah has increased many folds (okok, partly to do with you guys as well, I envy you guys for being such good muslims!!!) because I donot have a tune in my head constantly.

May Allah forgive us & guide us.

:wasalam:

[ibnAbdullah87]

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said, what translated means, group of this nation will be transformed into monkeys and swine." They said, "Do not they testify that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammed is His Messenger?" He said, "Yes. And also they fast pray and perform Hajj." They said, "Then, what is their problem?" He said, "They use musical instruments, drums and female singers. (One day) they will go to sleep after a night of drinking and having fun, In the morning, they will be transformed (by Allaah) into monkeys and swine." [Iughathat Al-Lahfan].

The above hadeeth has nothing to do with drunken music. The Prophet said they us speaking of musical instrument and drum and female singers and take into account that these people are people that fufil the obligations but Allah will punish them in this world because of music. And for those who say they listen to music because they enjoy it and remeber Allah and feel that it will get them closer to Allah then know anything done to get oneself closer to Allah is an act of worship and Allah acts of worship are haraam except the acts that are legslated by Allah or his messenger or approved of by Allah and his Messenger and anything else is an innovation.

And if you do not take the above hadeeth as a warning or a condeming of the listen and part taking in music then we atleased have to agree that it is a doubtful matter and if we agree upon that then take into account the next hadeeth.
On the authority of Abu Abdullah an-Nu'man, the son of Bashir who said: I heard the messenger of Allah :saw: saying: Verily that which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pasturs around a sanctuary, may be he gaze therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah's sanctuary is his prohibitions. Verily in the body there is a morsal of flesh which, if it be right, all the body is right and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart.

It was related by al-Bukhari and muslim
it can also be found in an-Nawawi's Forty Hadith. It is hadith #6 the title is Lawful and Unlawful Things are Cleared

and all the scholar of the sunnah from what I know agree upon that music is unlawful.

My advice is to you is to clear yourself from doubtful matters and stay away from music even if you feel it does not harm you and if I come off as being harsh then I am sorry that is not what I intend I am just your brother in Islam trying to advice you.

[ibnAbdullah87]

Asalamualikum,

I have read and re-read all of these discussions. Music within me from Allah is ALIVE, and I am most prayerful when I can play on the piano to my Creator!


I choose to remain fully alive and praise my creator with music. I have given this much thought, and I cannot give up this natural talent to praise my creator with music from within.

Sallam


Your Creator has not legslated that you pray to him with music or praise him with music and any kind of worship not legslated by our lord or messenger is an innovation (bid'ah) and is not an except worship by Allah and Allah knows best, you are not earning the pleasure of Allah but his anger and we seek refuge from his anger. If you feel this is your talent then no problem if you leave it Allah will replace it with something better. Maybe Allah will give you and different and fare better and more praiseworthy talent. You should not feel that you can not live without music
So this is the fruit of patience and this is the result of having taqwaa, as Allaah says: “And whoever has Taqwaa of Allaah, He will make a way out for him (from hardship), and He will provide for Him from places He never imagined.” [Surah At-Talaaq: 2-3]

[Mrmuslim]

salaam alikom

About Music

-8845049243114818338

[Karima]

Asalamualikum,

The discussion has been about music. I agree that music is not as important as God...and that I never put music on the same level as God/Allah. I would never put music even close to the level of God...because God is Almighty.....music is sounds of beauty.....God is Powerful....music is soft....God is All knowing.....music does not know one thing....however,...it is the end product of one's soul focused on God, while the fingers play the keys on the piano, to praise the one true God/Allah...Maker of Heaven and of Earth...

Has anyone of you ever had an ability to do something very naturally well, and in other things have to work hard at it? I cannot understand how I can play the piano with notes that paint a picture, each time....with my thoughts of God. But I can do this, which I did not learn in school.

I agree that music can 'distract' one from the pure thoughts of prayer to Allah, when it's a country western song about 'relationships'....or other songs about 'love' and 'romance'....etc....this is all a 'no brainer' that it is haram.

So if I put emphasis on music, it is because it one of the few things that I have been able to do 'naturally' when others have had to struggle to play the piano....I have to give the credit to God for this, and to no one else. I could not make all A's in math or science or history, no matter how hard I studied. In music and in art, I made A's. Music is as natural for me as speaking foreign language is to another...

I never put music as a god.....it is God who chose me to be an instrument of music, I believe, instead of being a surgeon, or scientist or mathemetician....I feel this, know it, and it is there...because it is automatic for me to play the piano, and transpose, and not even have to look at the keys. I say this not to brag, but to make a simple point that playing the piano is like walking. You don't have to think about taking each step when you walk...you just walk.

Here is somehting to ponder on. Granted that you love music but shouldnt you have love for Quran. How often do you read & understand (read translation etc) of the Quran compared to music.

Reading the Qur'an is very important. I love reading it!!!! It comes 'naturally' for me to understand what I read.....and it takes a lot of concentration to fully get the message which Allah provided for Muhammad for all of us.

The Qur'an is highly important....and I spend time reading it, which I love to do! I love to eat food, I love to drive a car, I love animals, I love to laugh, I love to pray, I love to play the piano......and NONE of these things are more important than reading the Qur'an, and most of all, Allah is the one true God that I worship! I do not worship music...never did that!

Sallam

[Karima]

Asalamualikum,

Can someone prove to me that God/Allah did not give me the gift of the ability to play the piano?

Sallam

[Kayote]

Asalamualikum,

Can someone prove to me that God/Allah did not give me the gift of the ability to play the piano?

Sallam

:salam2:

I think you totally missed my point in the last post. It was about how much attention you give to Quran & prayers compared to music.

Regarding the ability to play piano, this ability is due to your fingers being very flexible & articulate, this is not only for piano. You will find this 'ability' can also be used in other worksmanships which require fragile & smooth hand movement (surgery?).

The 'ability' is no doubt given by Allah but its what you make of it that matters.

:wasalam:

[Imad]

Assalmoelaikoem warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Allah gave the people many gifts. Like the gift of the eyes, the ears and the gift of walking etcc. We have to use this gifts in the manner which Allah wants us to use them. Let us take the eyes as example. It's not allowed to say "Allah gave us the eyes as gifts, so it's not prohibited to look to bad movies with naked woman and man ( for example)"
Allah didn't Allow listening to music, but he gave us ears. This does not mean that the ears are created for the purpose to listen music. Also the fingers, which can move very precisely to play piano. This does not mean that they are created to play the piano. We have to be very thankfull to Allah and do everything what Allah has commanded Us. Sister Karima i don't want to harm you with my statements. It can be that you like something but it can harm you without knowing this. Allah knows and we know not.

May Allah bless you. My intention is not to harm anyone of you.

Fi amanillah

wassalmoelaikoem warahmatullahi wabaraktuh,

Imad

[Karima]

Asalamualikum

There has been no harm in any of the discussions. All of this is to put 'light' to what Allah wills for us. I do use my hands for many things, like knitting when sitting with friends, helping others with grading papers, and the piano is just one fraction of how I use my hands.

Most of all, I am grateful for being able to have both hands that Allah has blessed me with to pray with, and to do many things with to bless others with...with a hug, when appropriate.

Sallam

[Imad]

Assalmoelaikoem warahmatullahi wabaraktuh,

Thank you for your reply sister Karima. We have to obey Allah subhanahu wata3ala with this gifts. Alhamdullilah you are doing many good things like what you have mentioned. But you have to know that playing piano is not allowed in Islam. A muslim is one who submits himself to Allah. If Allah and his prophet say : " Playing musical instuments are not allowed" Than we have to listen and obey " We have heard and we obeyed" instead "We have heard and we didn't obey". Please don't say i can't stop with playing the piano, because I'am sure you can. I ask Allah subhanahu wata3ala to help you. I know many Christians play piano or sing in the Church. When they revert to islam, they think let me praise Allah with music like i did before in the church. Islam teaches us the contrary. We can praise Allah by remembering Him allot. Allah Says "Othkuruni athkurkum Wasckuruli walathkafurun" This means "Remember me than I will remember you and be thankfull to Me and never be unthankfull". May Allah bless you sister Karima. The Question we can ask is : "How to remember Allah" . You can remember Allah with suplications which are mentioned in de suna and the Quraan. We can remember Allah by praying allot.

This is what i want to say. May Allah help me, you and all every muslim and muslima.

Wassalmoelaikoem warahmatullahi wbarakatuh,

Imad

[BGfromGB]

As a non muslim, according to the posts I have read above, I am truly saddened that almost all forms of music is considered haraam.
Yes, there are songs that promote drugs, sex etc. But there is also music that is not only beautiful and harmonious, but portrays poems in a manner that puts across its meaning in extremely strong tones. Typicall examples are Mozart's Requiem and in modern day music, songs such as 'Dont Cry for me Argentina'
The ability and the talents to write beautiful music have been given to humanmankind by the Almighty. There are some people who have been exceptionally talented. To quote Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin are too few to mention.
Yes there are some talented musicians who have abused their talents. But mostly these are the ones who have fallen by the wayside. Never to be heard of again.
If becoming a muslim means a choice between the Almighty and the musician, then sadly according to Islamic doctrine, I dont really have a choice. I have looked in the Qu'ran to find out if music is indeed haraam. Fortunately I have found nothing. But I have to admit that Im not an Islanic scholar. I have also read in the scriptures and have found nowhere that music is forbidden. On the contrary listening to music is in fact lauded.
There is no way that I will give up listening to the brilliant and talented composers such as Mozart, Beethoven etc.
In so doing I will acknowledge that the Almighty, in his kindness and goodness has indeed imparted his gifts to those talented people so that we may all benefit from HIS gifts given to human mankind.
I have a conscience. It is guided by what is written in the scriptures, and confirmed partly in the Qu'ran. I do not believe that the Almighty will condemn me or any of us for listening to the wonderful talents HE has bestowed on HIS children (Human mankind)

[virtualeye]

ps why would God mind if were playin music for him?? birds sing!!

Birds 'CHIRP' but they do NOT play with piano. You can also 'Chirp' and do NOT play piano.

Those poor birds did not know that 'youhighness' (i.e. the superior creature, i.e. Human being) would go put his superior wisdom in creating the pianos and flutes. Those birds would be expecting the 'superior' human being to worship God in in a way better than aniamls and birds.


Sorry, being much serious. But I am also a sinful man but I dont give justifications of my sins always.

Music is Haraam. Listen it , do sin, but dont give justifications to make it halaal.


Wasslaam,
VE

[justoneofmillion]

HEy hey hey white dove BG here iam again !!! i studied classical music since my early ages i use to play piano and guitar also, i don`t think anyone could really understand how passionate i was about music, i used to stay on the piano whole nights to practice some pieces of chopin, chykowski,bach or some of my own stuff that i was trying to compose ,by god i never thought there was anything that could be more beautiful than music( and fight sports also whish i still practice),i was literally breathing , smelling tasting music everywhere and at any time! music is indeed beautiful but it failed to give me a certain peace of mind as a musician i was always stressed and unsatisfied of my performances, i was a perfectionist always trying to give the maximumin a perpetual anxiety with the unrealistic idea of changing the world some day!islam came along and took all the hurt away all i was unconsciously complaining about i guess through music all the answers i was searching for in a that stupid piece of paper full of notes! i discovered beauty i had never seen that beauty that i was always somehow searching for i guess. my muse has never has never missed to show me the beauty outside of myself , islam showed me that potential beauty that was inside of me a much greater harmony an endless symphony that i `didn`t even know how to read before!:salah:

[virtualeye]

As a non muslim, according to the posts I have read above, I am truly saddened that almost all forms of music is considered haraam.
Yes, there are songs that promote drugs, sex etc. But there is also music that is not only beautiful and harmonious, but portrays poems in a manner that puts across its meaning in extremely strong tones. Typicall examples are Mozart's Requiem and in modern day music, songs such as 'Dont Cry for me Argentina'
The ability and the talents to write beautiful music have been given to humanmankind by the Almighty. There are some people who have been exceptionally talented. To quote Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin are too few to mention.
Yes there are some talented musicians who have abused their talents. But mostly these are the ones who have fallen by the wayside. Never to be heard of again.
If becoming a muslim means a choice between the Almighty and the musician, then sadly according to Islamic doctrine, I dont really have a choice. I have looked in the Qu'ran to find out if music is indeed haraam. Fortunately I have found nothing. But I have to admit that Im not an Islanic scholar. I have also read in the scriptures and have found nowhere that music is forbidden. On the contrary listening to music is in fact lauded.
There is no way that I will give up listening to the brilliant and talented composers such as Mozart, Beethoven etc.
In so doing I will acknowledge that the Almighty, in his kindness and goodness has indeed imparted his gifts to those talented people so that we may all benefit from HIS gifts given to human mankind.
I have a conscience. It is guided by what is written in the scriptures, and confirmed partly in the Qu'ran. I do not believe that the Almighty will condemn me or any of us for listening to the wonderful talents HE has bestowed on HIS children (Human mankind)


Hello BG from GB,

Kindly note that, according to Islam there are benefits in the wine also. Yes, wine/alcohol also has benefits. But with the message of Allah SWT it is told that the 'drinking' has more harms than its benefits. Drinking is the mother of all diseases.


Similarly, Every that thing is forbidden in Islam which has tendency of more evil in it than the good. And you know what kind of songs are popular in your young ones in GB, US, EU and company.


Benefits>Loss = Halal
Loss> benefits = Haraam.
Suspicious things = Better to leave.


047.033 O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger, and make not vain your deeds!

047.034 Those who reject Allah, and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, then die rejecting Allah,- Allah will not forgive them.

047.035 Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when ye should be uppermost: for Allah is with you, and will never put you in loss for your (good) deeds.

047.036 The life of this world is but play and amusement: and if ye believe and guard against Evil, He will grant you your recompense, and will not ask you (to give up) your possessions.

Al-Qur'an, 047.033-036 (Muhammad [Muhammad])


006.070 Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah: if it offered every ransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah.
Al-Qur'an, 006.070 (Al-Anaam [Cattle, Livestock])


007.051 "Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they were wont to reject Our signs.

Al-Qur'an, 007.051 (Al-Araf [The Heights])


057.020 Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?

Al-Qur'an, 057.020 (Al-Hadid [The Iron])


070.042 So leave them to plunge in vain talk and play about, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they have been promised!-
Al-Qur'an, 070.042 (Al-Maarij [The Ascending Stairways])


May Allah forgive me and May Allah grant me the power that I also avoid from such playful things. Aaameen.


Thanks for your time in reading.


Bye.

[virtualeye]

HEy hey hey white dove BG here iam again !!! i studied classical music since my early ages i use to play piano and guitar also, i don`t think anyone could really understand how passionate i was about music, i used to stay on the piano whole nights to practice some pieces of chopin, chykowski,bach or some of my own stuff that i was trying to compose ,by god i never thought there was anything that could be more beautiful than music( and fight sports also whish i still practice),i was literally breathing , smelling tasting music everywhere and at any time! music is indeed beautiful but it failed to give me a certain peace of mind as a musician i was always stressed and unsatisfied of my performances, i was a perfectionist always trying to give the maximumin a perpetual anxiety with the unrealistic idea of changing the world some day!islam came along and took all the hurt away all i was unconsciously complaining about i guess through music all the answers i was searching for in a that stupid piece of paper full of notes! i discovered beauty i had never seen that beauty that i was always somehow searching for i guess. my muse has never has never missed to show me the beauty outside of myself , islam showed me that potential beauty that was inside of me a much greater harmony an endless symphony that i `didn`t even know how to read before!:salah:

And you are really 'one of million'. 6_6 :)

Wasslaam,
VE

[BGfromGB]

you have side stepped my post. All those suras have nothing to do with music even instrumental music. I have studied them long and hard. Unless I am missing something, then there is nothing amiss in listening to music. By the way what are your views on the reat of my post? ie The Almighty bestowing his gifts.

[BGfromGB]

HEy hey hey white dove BG here iam again !!! i studied classical music since my early ages i use to play piano and guitar also, i don`t think anyone could really understand how passionate i was about music, i used to stay on the piano whole nights to practice some pieces of chopin, chykowski,bach or some of my own stuff that i was trying to compose ,by god i never thought there was anything that could be more beautiful than music( and fight sports also whish i still practice),i was literally breathing , smelling tasting music everywhere and at any time! music is indeed beautiful but it failed to give me a certain peace of mind as a musician i was always stressed and unsatisfied of my performances, i was a perfectionist always trying to give the maximumin a perpetual anxiety with the unrealistic idea of changing the world some day!islam came along and took all the hurt away all i was unconsciously complaining about i guess through music all the answers i was searching for in a that stupid piece of paper full of notes! i discovered beauty i had never seen that beauty that i was always somehow searching for i guess. my muse has never has never missed to show me the beauty outside of myself , islam showed me that potential beauty that was inside of me a much greater harmony an endless symphony that i `didn`t even know how to read before!:salah:
I am really pleased for you. But unfortunately you seem to have glossed ver the gist of my post. Be that as it may, allow to ask you a question (or two)
1. Do you acknowledge the fact that the Almighty bestowed on you the musical talents that you have (or had)?
2. By giving you those remarkabel talents, dont you think it would be pleasing to HIM if you had carried out those talents fully?
3.Do you really believe that by pursuing a career in music, your love for the Almighty is in any way diminished?

[justoneofmillion]

assalamu aleikum;yallah BG

wassalam:SMILY259:

[justoneofmillion]

I am really pleased for you. But unfortunately you seem to have glossed ver the gist of my post. Be that as it may, allow to ask you a question (or two)
1. Do you acknowledge the fact that the Almighty bestowed on you the musical talents that you have (or had)?
2. By giving you those remarkabel talents, dont you think it would be pleasing to HIM if you had carried out those talents fully?
3.Do you really believe that by pursuing a career in music, your love for the Almighty is in any way diminished?the thing is that i think about islam all the time now the same way i used to do for music it`s in the blood now i can`t help it if you only knew BG if you only knew!you know our capacity of perception of things can be different from a person to another! but remember that i was a musician a hard line romantic an admirer of beauty and when i love something i love it for the good not half way! i don`t think about music anymore islam has changed me so much that i don`t even remember when how and when it happend it`s something like"timless" i don`t know how to explain it to you but i do wish you the same joy and peace of mind!



ps:iwas already a muslim before because my father (may he rest in peace inschallah)was muslim and my mother german revert i used to fast for example ,not drink ,not eat pork ,i even started praying as a kid by myself without anybody telling me but then it kinda relaxed for a while(just for prayer!) but i was never really aware that i wasn`t aware until i had my own special experience in life(although am still young some say) islam is much more than that it is a complete religion that is not just based on a dogme(too say i believe and god is in my heart and that`s it) but it is also practical ,islam doesn`t tell you good things only it shows you methodically how to implement those things also!may Allah swt forgive me inschallah.ameen

[virtualeye]

you have side stepped my post. All those suras have nothing to do with music even instrumental music. I have studied them long and hard. Unless I am missing something, then there is nothing amiss in listening to music. By the way what are your views on the reat of my post? ie The Almighty bestowing his gifts.


I think my signature you never read. Its a quranic verse. The same meaning this verse tells and the same meaning those verses tell which I refered. i.e.

"This world is NOT a play place", its place of hardships and the battle beteween good and bad, righteous and evil, you and your Nafs (your conscience vs. your desires and lusts).

Wanna enjoy? then better buy the joys of eternal life by just avoiding the certian things for only and only 50 or 60 years.


Thanks,

Bye.

[BGfromGB]

the thing is that i think about islam all the time now the same way i used to do for music it`s in the blood now i can`t help it if you only knew BG if you only knew!you know our capacity of perception of things can be different from a person to another! but remember that i was a musician a hard line romantic an admirer of beauty and when i love something i love it for the good not half way! i don`t think about music anymore islam has changed me so much that i don`t even remember when how and when it happend it`s something like"timless" i don`t know how to explain it to you but i do wish you the same joy and peace of mind!



ps:iwas already a muslim before because my father (may he rest in peace inschallah)was muslim and my mother german revert i used to fast for example ,not drink ,not eat pork ,i even started praying as a kid by myself without anybody telling me but then it kinda relaxed for a while(just for prayer!) but i was never really aware that i wasn`t aware until i had my own special experience in life(although am still young some say) islam is much more than that it is a complete religion that is not just based on a dogme(too say i believe and god is in my heart and that`s it) but it is also practical ,islam doesn`t tell you good things only it shows you methodically how to implement those things also!may Allah swt forgive me inschallah.ameen
Very sorry to hear about your father. May he rest in peace with the Almighty.
I'm sorry you did not answer my questions. But that is your prerogative.
All I want to say is that in MY life, YHWH comes first. I acknowledge that HE has given some 5 talents and others 10 talents That is according the scriptures. I dont know if you know of YESHUA'S parables regarding talents. It is based on these teachings that I cherish the beautiful gifts HE has given us. Music is no exception. Thank you

[justoneofmillion]

I think my signature you never read. Its a quranic verse. The same meaning this verse tells and the same verse those verses tell which I refered. i.e.

"This world is NOT a play place", its place of hardships and the battle beteween good and bad, righteous and evil, you and your Nafs (your conscience vs. your desires and lusts).

Wanna enjoy? then better buy the joys of eternal life by just avoiding the certian things for only and only 50 or 60 years.


Thanks,

Bye.am winning two to one!! on the teasing issue were are you running i can`t find you bro!!!!!face me face to face:) wassalam
go to topic i can`t forgive myself

sindbad

[virtualeye]

am winning two to one!! on the teasing issue were are you running i can`t find you bro!!!!!face me face to face:) wassalam
go to topic i can`t forgive myself

sindbad


AssalamuAlaikum,

I did not understand. What face to face? Is it some WWF wrestling?
:)

Wasslaam,
VE

[aseel]

assalamu 3alaykum,

I have just read all six pages of replies!,and i must say i`m still confused!
When i first found islam i had no idea that music was considered haram,but i naturaly stoped listening to most musics that i listened to before( promoting sex,drugs....) not because i thsught it was wrong but because it hurt my ears and was not compatible with my new found peace.
So i listened to lots of music from the gulf (i really loved it miami band of Q8 nawal..9abo7a...)i found it so sweet and innocent!
i personaly can`t listen to any music just on it`s own , to me it is only to acompany house cleaning and exersise. I have tryed to stop listening to music and replaced it with islamic music and readings, but i found myself stopping houswork to listen or eaven crying while doing housework!

Anyway what gets me the most is that since i have converted to islam a see more and more things that people are not sure about , words that have changed meanings and that mean something in one sentence but not in annother.It is really hard as a new convert to get my head arround all of this!

And why in muslim coutries such as Q8 where alchool is not allowed are they so fond of there traditional music?

I hope that Allah will guide me and all muslims to the right path!

And what is the view on acting and poemes?

[IslamIsLight]

I read all the posts and comments and see a lot of different opinions on music subject.All that came to my mind after all ,is that Allah is the All -Forgiving ,Merciful and only He knows the true,we can only pray to him to Forgive us.
As for me ,yes, I love Music.I converted to islam and had to leave many things .I used to have music with me everywhere.
After a while ,I left it and I'm enjoying silence more,and even better now instead of listening for the music I started to recite Quran all the time,in the car ,on the street ,at work.It just happened.
After all ,I also noticed that I'm very sencitive to the music,It was touching my heart and it had a big affect on me.It was making me sad,or happy.It was making me cry.Music has an affect on the consiousness.But I can agree that some music is beautiful and The Beauty is always from Allah in my opinion....
Allah knows best and may he forgive me, as if I said something wrong.

[BGfromGB]

I think my signature you never read. Its a quranic verse. The same meaning this verse tells and the same meaning those verses tell which I refered. i.e.

"This world is NOT a play place", its place of hardships and the battle beteween good and bad, righteous and evil, you and your Nafs (your conscience vs. your desires and lusts).

Wanna enjoy? then better buy the joys of eternal life by just avoiding the certian things for only and only 50 or 60 years.


Thanks,

Bye.
How right you are about this world not being a play place. But that is not what YHWH intended for us. Hence we have the Sabbath. But this does not mean that we should not listen to music. Nowhere in the Qu'ran does it say so.

[BGfromGB]

Part of the joys of life are the 5 and 10 talents that YHWH has bestowed as part of his gifts to human mankind.
In YESHUA's teachings, he talks about the parable of the talents. These are the things that I will cherish in my walk with YHWH

[abou haytam]

salam sister,

do you have in hadith that prove that you have Ajr when you play piano.??? i think no...So the time you will play piano and listen to music ..you can pray or read qoran or learn more about islam. all those things are `` payed `` by allah incha allah.

One thing is very importante sister, Don t never and ever think that we can worship allah by music...Do you know more about islam than our prophete (SAW)?? ..So if realy we need piano to worship allah, our prophet will tell us about it....but unfrotunatly for you....all what we learn is far from music and piano and games.

If you can t leave piano?? what about me i like woman and alcohool!! and for long time i am used to those stuff. should i live my bad habit

finally our prophete informe us to avoid the doubtful things. In other words if you leave piano you are safe and if you continue to play it you will live with a doubt that you are doing sins. it s up to you to chose.

salamo alikom.
Asalamualikum,

This forum was not about music for drunks. It was about music and piano. It is easy to elaborate on the use of music which 'takes away' from thinking of Allah. When I listen to music, I think of Allah....no matter what form it is from...either strings, flutes, harps, etc.

Sallam

[Happy 2BA Muslim]

HEy hey hey white dove BG here iam again !!! i studied classical music since my early ages i use to play piano and guitar also, i don`t think anyone could really understand how passionate i was about music, i used to stay on the piano whole nights to practice some pieces of chopin, chykowski,bach or some of my own stuff that i was trying to compose ,by god i never thought there was anything that could be more beautiful than music( and fight sports also whish i still practice),i was literally breathing , smelling tasting music everywhere and at any time! music is indeed beautiful but it failed to give me a certain peace of mind as a musician i was always stressed and unsatisfied of my performances, i was a perfectionist always trying to give the maximumin a perpetual anxiety with the unrealistic idea of changing the world some day!islam came along and took all the hurt away all i was unconsciously complaining about i guess through music all the answers i was searching for in a that stupid piece of paper full of notes! i discovered beauty i had never seen that beauty that i was always somehow searching for i guess. my muse has never has never missed to show me the beauty outside of myself , islam showed me that potential beauty that was inside of me a much greater harmony an endless symphony that i `didn`t even know how to read before!:salah:

Ma sha Allah Brother!! May Allah make you steadfast on your road to Paradise. Jazak Allahu khayran for sharing part of your life struggle with us. It definitely lifts the spirit!

[new-muslim]

As salam o alaikum all,

It has been very interesting reading this long discussion. I am fairly new to Islam (1 1/2 yrs) and this is only something recently that I have discovered-music perhaps haram. I feel that depending on where you are spiritually, one step at a time. Try your best to please Allah. We are human and we do make mistakes. It does not seem to state clearly in the Quran that music is haram where as the likes of alcohol and so on is stated clearly by Allah several times that its forbidden. Surely Allah is forgiving if he does not intend for us to listen to music.

Are the main fundamentals of Islam in place......praying, learning/reading Quran, for women-wearing hijab and so on. Perhaps with time...you will feel that you should not play music/instruments. As long as music is not taking over your life. Allah is the one to judge us.

[virtualeye]

How right you are about this world not being a play place. But that is not what YHWH intended for us. Hence we have the Sabbath. But this does not mean that we should not listen to music. Nowhere in the Qu'ran does it say so.

Nowhere in Qur'an does it say so? oh you really care about what Qur'an says? then better care about those verses about concept of ONE GOD too. :)

BTW, Nowhere in Qur'an it is told how to pray our 5 times prayers. That we learnt from our Prophet (SAW). And the following of the Prophet (SAW) is called 'Sunnah'.


Thanks,

VE

[virtualeye]

Part of the joys of life are the 5 and 10 talents that YHWH has bestowed as part of his gifts to human mankind.
In YESHUA's teachings, he talks about the parable of the talents. These are the things that I will cherish in my walk with YHWH


Playing piano does not eliminate 'Any' problem of the world. It does not eliminate the hunger of the hungry, nor does it stop the cruelty from the world, nor does it make any thing good towards our Creator, nor does it stop the hypocrsies.

Nasheeds are allowed in Islam without music. The problem is that, it is human tendency to go for the next ugly steps. No society will stop at simply vocals of voice.

[BlueFish]

Asalamu Alaykum,
THis music subject seems debated over and over. There are those out there that say music is bad, and those that say that it is good. When the music exalts Allah or any of his messengers(Peace be upon them all) it seems to be excepted. But if it mocks the world or is vulgar then all music is bad. This seems a little biased to me. I was reading the translation in english of Quran (Yusif Ali) and the versus i found that could be connected to idle talks and such, say that life should be taken sireous and not to speak falseness or be lazy. I agree to a fine line of what we should beware of, but to say that music alltogether is bad, then some one should go search for every video posted on this site and take off every nasheed (music, singing, instruments), every video documentary with music so there is no hypocracy. Another thing now that i think about it, the "voice box" - larynx, has vocal cords, and uses wind to produce sound. If string instruments and woodwind instrumants are bad, then what can we suggest, that we all cut our throughts out. I mean come on, one can speak about beneficial things and one could speak lies. It is up to the individual how to conduct thier behavior. If we have sinned then we should repent and ask forgiveness from Allah! We have to be well balanced and use good judgement, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Forgive me for anything i have said wrong. Thank you.:)
PEACE!

[seek of Allah]

hi its not so much the giving up,its the interpretation of that verse “And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah…” [Luqmaan 31:6]
if ur playing music to Allah how can that mislead people away from him?
andy
assalam alaykom
what i can notice here is that every one say his opinion or his feeling
islam savants say this thing is halal or haram ; not us or Mr cat stevens (my respects to him).
we are not perfect so if we can do the halal and avoid haram that is good for us
if not we ask Allah forgiving us .amen

[presa1200]

hi i play the piano,some brothers & sister say i shouldn't some say i can..whats the facts on musical instruments are they allowed in Islam or not???

andy

Assalamualaikum....

hi i do have same interest like you.... i love piano too. Well, music is not prohibited in Islam. If playing for leisure and self-enhanced, then it is ok. But make sure do not play overtime until we left the sholat/pray purposely, otherwise it is sinful.

Simply saying we learn something just in the aim of Allah. We live for Allah and for sure everything we do is for Allah. We can use music to perform dakwah or preach to others by singing the beauty of Islam such as Nasyid.

If the music could lead someone to forget about sholat, or even worse becoming the accompany of Syaitan/Satan like what most black metals do... then its truly sinful.

Music also a kind of knowledge that comes from Allah. If we use wisely sure we could benefit from it. and you know, piano really sounds sweet.

Anyway, only Allah knows the best. Wallahu a'lam.

hehehe...just to share with u guys.... this is my second hand bought grand piano since few month ago:

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/63/64/11794636/427142576l.jpg

[presa1200]

[QUOTE=presa1200;60775]Assalamualaikum....

hi i do have same interest like you.... i love piano too. Well, music is not prohibited in Islam. If playing for leisure and self-enhanced, then it is ok. But make sure do not play overtime until we left the sholat/pray purposely, otherwise it is sinful.

Simply saying we learn something just in the aim of Allah. We live for Allah and for sure everything we do is for Allah. We can use music to perform dakwah or preach to others by singing the beauty of Islam such as Nasyid.

If the music could lead someone to forget about sholat, or even worse becoming the accompany of Syaitan/Satan like what most black metals do... then its truly sinful.

Music also a kind of knowledge that comes from Allah. If we use wisely sure we could benefit from it. and you know, piano really sounds sweet.

Anyway, only Allah knows the best. Wallahu a'lam.

[BGfromGB]

Assalamualaikum

I was moved with the discussion on piano or perhaps "music". I am not a musician and I do not play any musical instruments either. I supposed I have to disagree with most of you here. Brother Mabsoot has given a very lengthy explanation on the fatwa regarding music. In short the fatwa has clearly said "the view that music is permissible has no firm basis". Meaning that there is a second view on the matter that maintains it as permissible.

There is a tradition of the Prophet Pbuh that permits singing on Eid festival and also a tradition of the Prophet Pbuh to proclaim the wedding by playing a musical instrument of dubb (If I not mistaken, please correct me if I am wrong). The idea of string instrument came about during the times of Syakh al-Islam Imam al-Ghazzali, who prohibits the playing of musical instruments and even he asked them to be destroyed. This can be found in his famous work of Ihya Ulum al-Din. I did some research on the matter, and I asked some of my friends regarding this as well. In short, Imam al-Ghazzali's opinion was based on the conditions of the times, whereby music is always be associated with zina and musicians played their instruments at "this place".

My view on the matter would be the reason for allowing and disallowing the playing of musical instruments. If music is associated with haram activities, then it is haram. "Ma adda ila haram fahuwa haram" (Things that leads to haram is considered as haram) and based on the Sadd Dzara'i (blocking the means).

On this point, I would agree to some of the opinions of "moderate Muslims" of allowing the playing of musical instruments (although I did not play any) and listening them if the reasons of disallowing is not exist, such as
a) it does not lead to haram activities,
b) the songs or lyrics are not contradict to Islam
c) the playing/listening of music did not put you away from carry out your duty to Allah and to others
d) Islamic ethic is preserved.

As a human being, we need entertainment. Life is dull without it. I am not an artist, but I love to hear nice Islamic songs like brother Yusuf Islam and Raihan (Malaysia) as well as other groups. I am sure music can play a part in dakwah especially for the kids and the youth today.

:astag: I beg forgiveness from Allah for my mistake. Allah knows best.

:wasalam: Thank you sir. I find your post well balanced. I say this because as an ex christian, the scriptures say that YHWh gave some people 5 talents and others 10. God expects us to use these talents and indeed some people have. A fine example is Mozart. He wrote fine music at the age of 6. I love Mozart's symphonies and I cannot for the life of me see how these beautiful instruments can be considered as haraam.
I am at present studying the Qu'ran and am interested in the portion where muslim brothers have regarded music as idle talk. I have a major problem as I dont see how insrtumental music can fall under the definition of idle talk. Also if somebody writes music in praise of the Almighty, I don't see how this can be defined as 'idle talk'. There are some truly beuatiful songs in honour of the Almighty. Some good ones are to be found in Christmas Carols.

[Mrmuslim]

salaam alikom brother and sisters.

Well every one posted their opinion from now on, its up to you to accept Allah's rule on this issue and his prophet peace be up on him.

Scholars Clearfield this issue more than once, but just because we do things which is not acceptable in the religion, we don’t have to search ways around the religion to make it Halaal for our self, the wrong is wrong and the right is right.
We all have mistakes may Allah forgive us, if you want to keep listening to the music and keep dancing its totally up to you, on the day of judgment you will be A N S W E R I N G Allah s.w.t.

Prepare your self to have an answer in front of Allah s.w.t


I am closing this thread with the link Bro. Mabsoot posted it here

I think the schoalrs knows more than us about this issue.

Wallah A3lem
Wa salam alikom

Question:
I have always heard that music, singing and dancing are haram in Islam. I went to this other site for the first time,*!*!*!, and typed in music and all of these articles appeared which said music,dancing, and singing in Islam is halal??? They said "as long as the 2 sexes are not close together and their is no drinking going on" etc. and they even have hadiths that try to prove our Prophet Muhammed s.a.w was ok with this??? I am very confused now... Could you PLEASE give a full, detailed explanation about the Islamic ruling on music, singing and dancing and when it is allowed, if it is even allowed at all.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Ma’aazif is the plural of mi’zafah, and refers to musical instruments (Fath al-Baari, 10/55), instruments which are played (al-Majmoo’, 11/577). Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated from al-Jawhari (may Allaah have mercy on him) that ma’aazif means singing. In his Sihaah it says that it means musical instruments. It was also said that it refers to the sound of the instruments. In al-Hawaashi by al-Dimyaati (may Allaah have mercy on him) it says: ma’aazif means drums (dufoof, sing. daff) and other instruments which are struck or beaten (Fath al-Baari, 10/55).

Evidence of prohibition in the Qur’aan and Sunnah:

Allaah says in Soorat Luqmaan (interpretation of the meaning):

“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah…” [Luqmaan 31:6]

The scholar of the ummah, Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: this means singing. Mujaahid (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: this means playing the drum (tabl). (Tafseer al-Tabari, 21/40).

Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: this aayah was revealed concerning singing and musical instruments (lit. woodwind instruments). (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/451).

Al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: this includes all manner of haraam speech, all idle talk and falsehood, and all nonsense that encourages kufr and disobedience; the words of those who say things to refute the truth and argue in support of falsehood to defeat the truth; and backbiting, slander, lies, insults and curses; the singing and musical instruments of the Shaytaan; and musical instruments which are of no spiritual or worldly benefit. (Tafseer al-Sa’di, 6/150)

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The interpretation of the Sahaabah and Taabi’in, that ‘idle talk’ refers to singing, is sufficient. This was reported with saheeh isnaads from Ibn ‘Abbaas and Ibn Mas’ood. Abu’l-Sahbaa’ said: I asked Ibn Mas’ood about the aayah (interpretation of the meaning), ‘“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks’ [Luqmaan 31:6]. He said: By Allaah, besides Whom there is no other god, this means singing – and he repeated it three times. It was also reported with a saheeh isnaad from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) that this means singing. There is no contradiction between the interpretation of “idle talk” as meaning singing and the interpretation of it as meaning stories of the Persians and their kings, and the kings of the Romans, and so on, such as al-Nadr ibn al-Haarith used to tell to the people of Makkah to distract them from the Qur’aan. Both of them are idle talk. Hence Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “Idle talk” is falsehood and singing. Some of the Sahaabah said one and some said the other, and some said both. Singing is worse and more harmful than stories of kings, because it leads to zinaa and makes hypocrisy grow (in the heart); it is the trap of the Shaytaan, and it clouds the mind. The way in which it blocks people from the Qur’aan is worse than the way in which other kinds of false talk block them, because people are naturally inclined towards it and tend to want to listen to it. The aayaat condemn replacing the Qur’aan with idle talk in order to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah without knowledge and taking it as a joke, because when an aayah of the Qur’aan is recited to such a person, he turns his back as if he heard them not, as if there were deafness in his ear. If he hears anything of it, he makes fun of it. All of this happens only in the case of the people who are most stubbornly kaafirs and if some of it happens to singers and those who listen to them, they both have a share of this blame. (Ighaathat al-Lahfaan, 1/258-259).

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“[Allaah said to Iblees:] And befool them gradually those whom you can among them with your voice (i.e. songs, music, and any other call for Allaah’s disobedience)…” [al-Israa’ 17:64]

It was narrated that Mujaahid (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “And befool them gradually those whom you can among them with your voice” – his voice [the voice of Iblees/Shaytaan] is singing and falsehood. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This idaafah [possessive or genitive construction, i.e., your voice] serves to make the meaning specific, as with the phrases [translated as] “your cavalry” and “your infantry” [later in the same aayah]. Everyone who speaks in any way that is not obedient to Allaah, everyone who blows into a flute or other woodwind instrument, or who plays any haraam kind of drum, this is the voice of the Shaytaan. Everyone who walks to commit some act of disobedience towards Allaah is part of his [the Shaytaan’s] infantry, and anyone who rides to commit sin is part of his cavalry. This is the view of the Salaf, as Ibn ‘Abi Haatim narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas: his infantry is everyone who walks to disobey Allaah. (Ighaathat al-Lahfaan).

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur’aan)?

And you laugh at it and weep not,

Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing)”

[al-Najm 53:59-61]

‘Ikrimah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that al-sumood [verbal noun from saamidoon, translated here as “Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing)”] means “singing”, in the dialect of Himyar; it might be said “Ismidi lanaa” [‘sing for us’ – from the same root as saamidoon/sumood] meaning “ghaniy” [sing]. And he said (may Allaah have mercy on him): When they [the kuffaar] heard the Qur’aan, they would sing, then this aayah was revealed.

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning) “Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing)” – Sufyaan al-Thawri said, narrating from his father from Ibn ‘Abbaas: (this means) singing. This is Yemeni (dialect): ismad lana means ghan lana [sing to us]. This was also the view of ‘Ikrimah. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).

It was reported from Abu Umaamah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not sell singing slave women, do not buy them and do not teach them. There is nothing good in this trade, and their price is haraam. Concerning such things as this the aayah was revealed (interpretation of the meaning): ‘And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah…’ [Luqmaan 31:6].” (Hasan hadeeth)

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zinaa, silk, alcohol and musical instruments…” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari ta’leeqan, no. 5590; narrated as mawsool by al-Tabaraani and al-Bayhaqi. See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 91).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This is a saheeh hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh, where he quoted it as evidence and stated that it is mu’allaq and majzoom. He said: Chapter on what was narrated concerning those who permit alcohol and call it by another name.

This hadeeth indicates in two ways that musical instruments and enjoyment of listening to music are haraam. The first is the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “[they] permit” which clearly indicates that the things mentioned, including musical instruments, are haraam according to sharee’ah, but those people will permit them. The second is the fact that musical instruments are mentioned alongside things which are definitely known to be haraam, i.e., zinaa and alcohol: if they (musical instruments) were not haraam, why would they be mentioned alongside these things? (adapted from al-Silsilah al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 1/140-141)

Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This hadeeth indicates that ma’aazif are haraam, and ma’aazif means musical instruments according to the scholars of (Arabic) language. This word includes all such instruments. (al-Majmoo’, 11/535).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: And concerning the same topic similar comments were narrated from Sahl ibn Sa’d al-Saa’idi, ‘Imraan ibn Husayn, ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr, ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas, Abu Hurayrah, Abu Umaamah al-Baahili, ‘Aa’ishah Umm al-Mu’mineen, ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, Anas ibn Maalik, ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Saabit and al-Ghaazi ibn Rabee’ah. Then he mentioned it in Ighaathat al-Lahfaan, and it indicates that they (musical instruments) are haraam.

It was narrated that Naafi’ (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Ibn ‘Umar heard a woodwind instrument, and he put his fingers in his ears and kept away from that path. He said to me, O Naafi’, can you hear anything? I said, No. So he took his fingers away from his ears and said: I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he heard something like this, and he did the same thing. (Saheeh Abi Dawood). Some insignificant person said that this hadeeth does not prove that musical instruments are haraam, because if that were so, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have instructed Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) to put his fingers in his ears as well, and Ibn ‘Umar would have instructed Naafi’ to do likewise! The response to this is: He was not listening to it, but he could hear it. There is a difference between listening and hearing. Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Concerning (music) which a person does not intend to listen to, there is no prohibition or blame, according to scholarly consensus. Hence blame or praise is connected to listening, not to hearing. The one who listens to the Qur’aan will be rewarded for it, whereas the one who hears it without intending or wanting to will not be rewarded for that, because actions are judged by intentions. The same applies to musical instruments which are forbidden: if a person hears them without intending to, that does not matter. (al-Majmoo’, 10/78).

Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: the listener is the one who intends to hear, which was not the case with Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both); what happened in his case was hearing. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) needed to know when the sound stopped because he had moved away from that path and blocked his ears. So he did not want to go back to that path or unblock his ears until the noise had stopped, so when he allowed Ibn ‘Umar to continue hearing it, this was because of necessity. (al-Mughni, 10/173)

(Even though the hearing referred to in the comments of the two imaams is makrooh, it was permitted because of necessity, as we will see below in the comments of Imaam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him). And Allaah knows best).

The views of the scholars (imaams) of Islam

Al-Qaasim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Singing is part of falsehood. Al-Hasan (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: if there is music involved in a dinner invitation (waleemah), do not accept the invitation (al-Jaami by al-Qayrawaani, p. 262-263).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The view of the four Imaams is that all kinds of musical instruments are haraam. It was reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaari and elsewhere that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that there would be among his ummah those who would allow zinaa, silk, alcohol and musical instruments, and he said that they would be transformed into monkeys and pigs… None of the followers of the imaams mentioned any dispute concerning the matter of music. (al-Majmoo’, 11/576).

Al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The four madhhabs are agreed that all musical instruments are haraam. (al-Saheehah, 1/145).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The madhhab of Abu Haneefah is the strictest in this regard, and his comments are among the harshest. His companions clearly stated that it is haraam to listen to all musical instruments such as the flute and the drum, even tapping a stick. They stated that it is a sin which implies that a person is a faasiq (rebellious evil doer) whose testimony should be rejected. They went further than that and said that listening to music is fisq (rebellion, evildoing) and enjoying it is kufr (disbelief). This is their words. They narrated in support of that a hadeeth which could not be attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). They said: he should try not to hear it if he passes by it or it is in his vicinity. Abu Yoosuf said, concerning a house from which could be heard the sound of musical instruments: Go in without their permission, because forbidding evil actions is obligatory, and if it were not allowed to enter without permission, people could not have fulfilled the obligatory duty (of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil). (Ighaathat al-Lahfaan, 1/425).

Imaam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about playing the drum or flute, if a person happens to hear the sound and enjoy it whilst he is walking or sitting. He said: He should get up if he finds that he enjoys it, unless he is sitting down for a need or is unable to get up. If he is on the road, he should either go back or move on. (al-Jaami’ by al-Qayrawaani, 262). He (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The only people who do things like that, in our view, are faasiqs.” (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 14/55).

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Among the types of earnings which are haraam by scholarly consensus are ribaa, the fee of a prostitute, anything forbidden, bribes, payment for wailing over the dead and singing, payments to fortune-tellers and those who claim to know the unseen and astrologers, payments for playing flutes, and all kinds of gambling. (al-Kaafi).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, explaining the view of Imaam al-Shaafa'i: His companions who know his madhhab (point of view) stated that it is haraam and denounced those who said that he permitted it. (Ighaathat al-Lahfaan, 1/425).

The author of Kifaayat al-Akhbaar, who was one of the Shaafa’is, counted musical instruments such as flutes and others, as being munkar (evil), and the one who is present (where they are being played) should denounce them. (He cannot be excused by the fact that there are bad scholars, because they are corrupting the sharee’ah, or evil faqeers – meaning the Sufis, because they call themselves fuqaraa’ or faqeers – because they are ignorant and follow anyone who makes noise; they are not guided by the light of knowledge; rather they are blown about by every wind. (Kifaayat al-Akhbaar, 2/128).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: With regard to the view of Imaam Ahmad, his son ‘Abd-Allaah said: I asked my father about singing. He said: Singing makes hypocrisy grow in the heart; I do not like it. Then he mentioned the words of Maalik: the evildoers (faasiqs) among us do that. (Ighaathat al-Lahfaan).

Ibn Qudaamah, the researcher of the Hanbali madhhab – (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Musical instruments are of three types which are haraam. These are the strings and all kinds of flute, and the lute, drum and rabaab (stringed instrument) and so on. Whoever persists in listening to them, his testimony should be rejected. (al-Mughni, 10/173). And he said (may Allaah have mercy on him); If a person is invited to a gathering in which there is something objectionable, such as wine and musical instruments, and he is able to denounce it, then he should attend and speak out against it, because then he will be combining two obligatory duties. If he is not able to do that, then he should not attend. (al-Kaafi, 3/118)

Al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The scholars of all regions are agreed that singing is makrooh and should be prevented. Although Ibraaheem ibn Sa’d and ‘Ubayd-Allaah al-‘Anbari differed from the majority, (it should be noted that) the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Adhere to the majority.” And whoever dies differing from the majority, dies as a jaahili. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 14/56). In earlier generations, the word “makrooh” was used to mean haraam, then it took on the meaning of “disliked”. But this is to be understood as meaning that it is forbidden, because he [al-Tabari] said “it should be prevented”, and nothing is to be prevented except that which is haraam; and because in the two hadeeths quoted, music is denounced in the strongest terms. Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) is the one who narrated this report, then he said: Abu’l-Faraj and al-Qaffaal among our companions said: the testimony of the singer and the dancer is not to be accepted. I say: if it is proven that this matter is not permissible, then accepting payment for it is not permissible either.

Shaykh al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said: What Ibraaheem ibn Sa’d and ‘Ubayd-Allaah al-‘Anbari said about singing is not like the kind of singing that is known nowadays, for they would never have allowed this kind of singing which is the utmost in immorality and obscenity. (al-I’laam)

Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It is not permissible to make musical instruments. (al-Majmoo’, 22/140). And he said: According to the majority of fuqahaa’, it is permissible to destroy musical instruments, such as the tanboor [a stringed instrument similar to a mandolin]. This is the view of Maalik and is the more famous of the two views narrated from Ahmad. (al-Majmoo’, 28/113). And he said: …Ibn al-Mundhir mentioned that the scholars were agreed that it is not permissible to pay people to sing and wail… the consensus of all the scholars whose views we have learned about is that wailing and singing are not allowed. Al-Shu’bi, al-Nakha’i and Maalik regarded that as makrooh [i.e., haraam]. Abu Thawr, al-Nu’maan – Abu Haneefah (may Allaah have mercy on him) – and Ya’qoob and Muhammad, two of the students of Abu Haneefah said: it is not permissible to pay anything for singing and wailing. This is our view. And he said: musical instruments are the wine of the soul, and what it does to the soul is worse than what intoxicating drinks do. (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 10/417).

Ibn Abi Shaybah (may Allaah have mercy on him) reported that a man broke a mandolin belonging to another man, and the latter took his case to Shurayh. But Shurayh did not award him any compensation – i.e., he did not make the first man pay the cost of the mandolin, because it was haraam and had no value. (al-Musannaf, 5/395).

Al-Baghawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) stated in a fatwa that it is haraam to sell all kinds of musical instruments such as mandolins, flutes, etc. Then he said: If the images are erased and the musical instruments are altered, then it is permissible to sell their parts, whether they are silver, iron, wood or whatever. (Sharh al-Sunnah, 8/28)

An appropriate exception

The exception to the above is the daff – without any rings (i.e., a hand-drum which looks like a tambourine, but without any rattles) – when used by women on Eids and at weddings. This is indicated by saheeh reports. Shaykh al-Islam (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: But the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made allowances for certain types of musical instruments at weddings and the like, and he made allowances for women to play the daff at weddings and on other joyful occasions. But the men at his time did not play the daff or clap with their hands. It was narrated in al-Saheeh that he said: “Clapping is for women and tasbeeh (saying Subhaan Allaah) is for men.” And he cursed women who imitate men and men who imitate women. Because singing and playing the daff are things that women do, the Salaf used to call any man who did that a mukhannath (effeminate man), and they used to call male singers effeminate – and how many of them there are nowadays! It is well known that the Salaf said this.

In a similar vein is the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), when her father (may Allaah be pleased with him) entered upon her at the time of Eid, and there were two young girls with her who were singing the verses that the Ansaar had said on the day of Bu’aath – and any sensible person will know what people say about war. Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Musical instruments of the Shaytaan in the house of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)!” The Messenger of Allaah had turned away from them and was facing the wall – hence some scholars said that Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) would not tell anybody off in front of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but he thought that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was not paying attention to what was happening. And Allaah knows best. He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) said: “Leave them alone, O Abu Bakr, for every nation has its Eid, and this is our Eid, the people of Islam.” This hadeeth shows that it was not the habit of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions to gather to listen to singing, hence Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq called it “the musical instruments of the Shaytaan”. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) approved of this appellation and did not deny it when he said, “Leave them alone, for every nation has its Eid and this is our Eid.” This indicates that the reason why this was permitted was because it was the time of Eid, and the prohibition remained in effect at times other than Eid, apart from the exceptions made for weddings in other ahaadeeth. Shaykh al-Albaani explained this in his valuable book Tahreem Aalaat al-Tarab (the Prohibition of Musical Instruments). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) approved of young girls singing at Eid, as stated in the hadeeth: “So that the mushrikeen will know that in our religion there is room for relaxation.” There is no indication in the hadeeth about the two young girls that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was listening to them. The commands and prohibitions have to do with listening, not merely hearing, just as in the case of seeing, the rules have to do with intentionally looking and not what happens by accident. So it is clear that this is for women only. Imaam Abu ‘Ubayd (may Allaah have mercy on him) defined the daff as “that which is played by women.” (Ghareeb al-Hadeeth, 3/64).

An inappropriate exception
Some of them make an exception for drums at times of war, and consequentially some modern scholars have said that military music is allowed. But there is no basis for this at all, for a number of reasons, the first of which is that this is making an exception with no clear evidence, apart from mere opinion and thinking that it is good, and this is wrong. The second reason is that what the Muslims should do at times of war is to turn their hearts towards their Lord. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“They ask you (O Muhammad) about the spoils of war. Say: ‘The spoils are for Allaah and the Messenger.’ So fear Allaah and adjust all matters of difference among you…” [al-Anfaal 8:1]. But using music is the opposite of this idea of taqwa and it would distract them from remembering their Lord. Thirdly, using music is one of the customs of the kuffaar, and it is not permitted to imitate them, especially with regard to something that Allaah has forbidden to us in general, such as music. (al-Saheehah, 1/145)

“No people go astray after having been guided except they developed arguments amongst themselves.” (Saheeh)

Some of them used the hadeeth about the Abyssinians playing in the mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as evidence that singing is allowed! Al-Bukhaari included this hadeeth in his Saheeh under the heading Baab al-Hiraab wa’l-Daraq Yawm al-‘Eid (Chapter on Spears and Shields on the Day of Eid). Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This indicates that it is permissible to play with weapons and the like in the mosque, and he applied that to other activities connected with jihaad. (Sharh Muslim). But as al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: whoever speaks about something which is not his profession will come up with weird ideas such as these.

Some of them use as evidence the hadeeth about the singing of the two young girls, which we have discussed above, but we will quote what Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, because it is valuable:

I am amazed that you quote as evidence for allowing listening to sophisticated songs the report which we mentioned about how two young girls who were below the age of puberty sang to a young woman on the day of Eid some verses of Arab poetry about bravery in war and other noble characteristics. How can you compare this to that? What is strange is that this hadeeth is one of the strongest proofs against them. The greatest speaker of the truth [Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq] called them musical instruments of the Shaytaan, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) approved of that appellation, but he made an exception in the case of these two young girls who had not yet reached the age of responsibility and the words of whose songs could not corrupt anyone who listened to them. Can this be used as evidence to allow what you do and what you know of listening (to music) which includes (bad) things which are not hidden?! Subhaan Allaah! How people can be led astray! (Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/493).

Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) was young at that time; nothing was transmitted from her after she reached the age of puberty except condemnation of singing. Her brother’s son, al-Qaasim ibn Muhammad, condemned singing and said that it was not allowed to listen to it, and he took his knowledge from her. (Talbees Iblees, 229). Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: A group of the Sufis used this hadeeth – the hadeeth about the two young girls – as evidence that singing is allowed and it is allowed to listen to it, whether it is accompanied by instruments or not. This view is sufficiently refuted by the clear statement of ‘Aa’ishah in the following hadeeth, where she says, “They were not singers.” She made it clear that they were not singers as such, although this may be understood from the wording of the report. So we should limit it to what was narrated in the text as regards the occasion and the manner, so as to reduce the risk of going against the principle, i.e., the hadeeth. And Allaah knows best. (Fath al-Baari, 2/442-443).

Some people even have the nerve to suggest that the Sahaabah and Taabi’een listened to singing, and that they saw nothing wrong with it!

Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said: We demand them to show us saheeh isnaads going back to these Sahaabah and Taabi’een, proving what they attribute to them. Then he said: Imaam Muslim mentioned in his introduction to his Saheeh that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak said: The isnaad is part of religion. Were it not for the isnaad, whoever wanted to could say whatever he wanted to.

Some of them said that the ahaadeeth which forbid music are full of faults. No hadeeth was free of being criticized by some of the scholars. Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The ahaadeeth which were narrated concerning music being haraam are not full of faults as has been claimed. Some of them are in Saheeh al-Bukhaari which is the soundest of books after the Book of Allaah, and some of them are hasan and some are da’eef. But because they are so many, with different isnaads, they constitute definitive proof that singing and musical instruments are haraam.

All the imaams agreed on the soundness of the ahaadeeth which forbid singing and musical instruments, apart from Abu Haamid al-Ghazzaali, but al-Ghazzaali did not have knowledge of hadeeth; and Ibn Hazam, but al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) explained where Ibn Hazam went wrong, and Ibn Hazam himself said that if any of (these ahaadeeth) were saheeh, he would follow that. But now they have proof that these reports are saheeh because there are so many books by the scholars which state that these ahaadeeth are saheeh, but they turn their backs on that. They are far more extreme than Ibn Hazam and they are nothing like him, for they are not qualified and cannot be referred to.

Some of them said that the scholars forbade singing because it is mentioned alongside gatherings in which alcohol is drunk and where people stay up late at night for evil purposes.

Al-Shawkaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The response to this is that mentioning these things in conjunction does not only mean that what is haraam is what is joined together in this manner. Otherwise this would mean that zinaa, as mentioned in the ahaadeeth, is not haraam unless it is accompanied by alcohol and the use of musical instruments. By the same token, an aayah such as the following (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, he used not to believe in Allaah, the Most Great,

And urged not on the feeding of Al‑Miskeen (the poor).”

[al-Haaqqah 69:33-34]

would imply that it is not haraam to disbelieve in Allaah unless that is accompanied by not encouraging the feeding of the poor. If it is said that the prohibition of such things one at a time is proven from other reports, the response to that is that the prohibition of musical instruments is also known from other evidence, as mentioned above. (Nayl al-Awtaar, 8/107).

Some of them said that “idle talk” does not refer to singing; the refutation of that has been mentioned above. Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This – the view that it means singing – is the best that has been said concerning this aayah, and Ibn Mas’ood swore three times by Allaah besides Whom there is no other god, that it does refer to singing. Then he mentioned other imaams who said the same thing. Then he mentioned other views concerning the matter. Then he said: The first view is the best of all that has been said on this matter, because of the marfoo’ hadeeth, and because of the view of the Sahaabah and the Taabi’een. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him), after quoting this Tafseer, said: Al-Haakim Abu ‘Abd-Allaah said in the Tafseer of Kitaab al-Mustadrak: Let the one who is seeking this knowledge know that the Tafseer of a Sahaabi who witnessed the revelation is a hadeeth with isnaad according to the two Shaykhs (al-Bukhaari and Muslim). Elsewhere in his book, he said: In our view this hadeeth has the same strength as a marfoo’ report. Although their tafseer is still subject to further examination, it is still more readily acceptable than the tafseer of those who came after them, because they are the most knowledgeable among this ummah of what Allaah meant in his Book. It was revealed among them and they were the first people to be addressed by it. They heard the tafseer from the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in word and in deed. And they were Arabs who understood the true meanings of (Arabic) words, so Muslims should avoid resorting to any other interpretation as much as possible.

Some of them said that singing is a form of worship if the intention is for it to help one to obey Allaah!

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: How strange! What type of faith, light, insight, guidance and knowledge can be gained from listening to tuneful verses and music in which most of what is said is haraam and deserves the wrath and punishment of Allaah and His Messenger? … How can anyone who has the least amount of insight and faith in his heart draw near to Allaah and increase his faith by enjoying something which is hated by Him, and He detests the one who says it and the one who accepts it? (Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/485)

Shaykh al-Islam said, discussing the state of the person who has gotten used to listening to singing: Hence you find that those who have gotten used to it and for whom it is like food and drink will never have the desire to listen to the Qur’aan or feel joy when they hear it, and they never find in listening to its verses the same feeling that they find when listening to poetry. Indeed, if they hear the Qur’aan, they hear it with an inattentive heart and talk whilst it is being recited, but if they hear whistling and clapping of hands, they lower their voices and keep still, and pay attention. (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 11/557 ff)

Some say that music and musical instruments have the effect of softening people’s hearts and creating gentle feelings. This is not true, because it provokes physical desires and whims. If it really did what they say, it would have softened the hearts of the musicians and made their attitude and behaviour better, but most of them, as we know, are astray and behave badly.

Conclusion

Perhaps – for fair-minded and objective readers – this summary will make it clear that the view that music is permissible has no firm basis. There are no two views on this matter. So we must advise in the best manner, and then take it step by step and denounce music, if we are able to do so. We should not be deceived by the fame of a man in our own times in which the people who are truly committed to Islam have become strangers. The one who says that singing and musical instruments are permitted is simply supporting the whims of people nowadays, as if the masses were issuing fatwas and he is simply signing them! If a matter arises, they will look at the views of fuqahaa’ on this matter, then they will take the easiest view, as they claim. Then they will look for evidence, or just specious arguments which are worth no more than a lump of dead meat. How often have these people approved things in the name of sharee’ah which in fact have nothing to do with Islam!

Strive to learn your Islam from the Book of your Lord and the Sunnah of your Prophet. Do not say, So-and-so said, for you cannot learn the truth only from men. Learn the truth and then measure people against it. This should be enough for the one who controls his whims and submits himself to his Lord. May what we have written above heal the hearts of the believers and dispel the whispers in the hearts of those who are stricken with insinuating whispers. May it expose everyone who is deviating from the path of Revelation and taking the easiest options, thinking that he has come up with something which none of the earlier generations ever achieved, and speaking about Allaah without knowledge. They sought to avoid fisq (evildoing) and ended up committing bid’ah – may Allaah not bless them in it. It would have been better for them to follow the path of the believers.

And Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless and grant peace to His Messenger who made clear the path of the believers, and to his companions and those who follow them in truth until the Day of Judgement.

Summary of a paper entitled al-Darb bi’l-Nawa li man abaaha al-Ma’aazif li’l-Hawa by Shaykh Sa’d al-Deen ibn Muhammad al-Kibbi.

For more information, please see:

Al-I’laam bi Naqd Kitaab al-Halaal wa’l-Haraam, by Shaykh al-‘Allaamah Saalih ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan

Al-Samaa’ by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn al-Qayyim

Tahreem Aalaat al-Tarab, by Shaykh Muhammad Naasir al-Deen al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him)