IS MUSIC HARAM ?

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

It was narrated from Abu Malik Al-Ashari: The Messenger (pbuh) of Allah (SWT) said, “Some people of my Ummah who will make lawful fornication, silk, liquor and musical instruments.” (Bukhari). This Hadith is an unambiguous assertion of the hurmat (being haram or prohibition) of musical instruments. In this Hadith, the Messenger of Allah uses the word [Yasta-hiluna, i.e they will make lawful]. He mentioned four acts which people in the later ages would make lawful, that is fornication, liquor, silk and music. These pre-supposes that these acts are all haram. It is meaningless to say that a lawful act will be made lawful. This would be absurd and false contention of the consequence of the proponents of music and singing. A haram act is made lawful, not lawful been made lawful.

“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men)
from the path of Allah…”  Surah Luqmaan (Q31:6). Al-Sa’di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: this includes all manner of haram 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 shaytan; and musical instruments which are of no spiritual or worldly benefit.

Music has become a big part of our lives. It is a social trend, ever growing and popular worldwide. No doubt, you get constantly bombarded by music of all types – at shopping malls, on the streets and open markets, jingles playing back-to-back on the radio, TV channels and the internet. For many, especially the youth, live with music as nourishment and balm for the mind, body and soul. It may be perceived as a harmless activity and a source of inner peace, relaxation, creativity and inspiration. After all if it doesn’t stop you from praying, fasting and performing good deeds, what is the big deal… right? My teacher explained that Qur’an and music which here some scholars consider it as the qur’an of shaytan, can never thrive harmoniously in the heart of a believer. Although then I was learning to be a better Muslim with doing daras and praying on time etc., I still struggled with this simple truth and I denied that I can live without music and it was such a big deal for me. I continued feeding my soul with this rubbish and sided with what I wanted, what my nafs wanted. This had grave consequences on my thoughts, acts of worship and lifestyle in general. I tried to think of a way to find a middle point that would balance the two but there is none. A believer’s heart should beat the words of Allah, the speech of Allah, His ayas. You could be facing  similar desires and inner battle right now but one has to go.

What exactly does music talk about? Selfishness, money, women, zinah, lust, parties and even killing, foul talks, all worldly affairs and desires of the nafs. Immoral words and things that are no good, and they include idle leisure and provocation of sexual desire, and promiscuity, and the voice has a quality that inspires evil thoughts in the mind of the listener. It makes hypocrisy grow (in the heart); it is the trap of the shaytan, and it clouds the mind. Which is the opposite of what the Qur’an and Sunnah talks about, what Islam is about. Then how can it be in the same heart, will you not confuse you soul? It’s good to keep in mind and it is the truth, music intoxicates a person and takes one away from the path of Allah. Music engages a person’s mind and takes them away from the remembrance of the Creator and from realizing and focusing attention on the purpose of our creation, to be the slave of Allah, doing Ibaadah. In musical songs, most of the times the listeners even appreciate illogical, incorrect and blasphemous matter and content. A person will realize this when he starts pondering over the meaning of many song’s lyrics. Here we find that it is because of music that the persons mind is intoxicated and the person deviates from the straight path. The human voice is not considered a musical instrument but it could still be Haram if it is used in a seductive or stimulating way or if the words are not appropriate.

The Noble Qur’an needs no introduction. It is a mercy, guide and protection for mankind. It is also a powerful reminder, miracle and divine revelation. As the great scholar Ibn Qayyim said, “The Qur’an is all about tawheed”. And nothing should rank higher in terms of priority for the Muslim than upholding tawheed. Music on the other hand is all about everything but tawheed. While you may still argue about the many benefits of music, there are some very simple truths to ponder about the Qur’an. It is the Speech of Allah that talks about Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), Aqeedah (creed), issues related to worship and eternal gains. It is a hundred percent beneficial at all times, whether it’s being recited, listened to or pondered upon. It is related to success in this world and hereafter; also related to virtuous character, good deeds and worship. It invites Sunnah, obedience, worship, guidance, good character, forgiveness, and paradise. It is a remembrance of Allah. A Holy book that cannot be compared with any other, even Allah challenged mankind in various verses to do so. It gives soothing internal effects that are long lasting and soul nourishing; a long term feel-good-effect. A pure nourishment for the soul through spiritual cleansing and purification. It builds a sound heart, free of diseases. A message that can blossom subliminally into a positive lifestyle and a stable personality and makes one develop a high degree of consciousness of Allah, taking one closer to Him. The believer has a purpose driven life, seeking worldly good as well as eternal good. You may take various means and processes while seeking this good, striving to overcome your desires and remaining firm upon the truth. There is no doubt the Qur’an is the greatest personal development tool for mankind; driving self and spiritual growth, reinforcing the truth of tawheed, directing towards the fitrah and promoting self-reflection. In Surah Al-Baqara Allah says, “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah” (Q2:2).

One advice from Allah He tells us in the Qur’an, "O you who believe, guard yourself and your family against a Fire whose fuel is men and stones." Let's all use our spare time to learn more Arabic to understand the Qur’an, read more of the Quran and study more Hadith.

It is permissible for women to beat the daff and to sing permissible songs on permissible occasions such as Eid, celebrations and the like. Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is permissible for her – the bridegroom – to allow women to announce the marriage by beating the daff only, and by singing permissible songs in which there is no description of beauty or mention of immoral phrases. It was narrated from ‘Aisha that she took a woman on her wedding night to a man from among the Ansaar, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to her, “O ‘Aisha, was there any entertainment (in the gathering)? For the Ansaar love entertainment.” It was narrated that Muhammad ibn Haatib al-Jamahi said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The thing that differentiates between haraam and halaal is the beating of the daff and voices.” (Tirmidhi).This is what it is permitted for women to do of singing at weddings. The only musical instrument that is permissible for them is the daff, and not others such as the tabl. The difference between them is that the tabl is covered on both sides whereas the daff is open on one side and covered on the other.

In dancing, except in certain conditions and then it is limited to women only, and not for the attraction or seduction of the opposite sex. But Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Dancing is makrooh in principle, but if it is done in the western manner or in imitation of the kaafir women, then it becomes haram, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Moreover it sometimes leads to fitnah, because the dancer may be a young, beautiful woman, so the other women are tempted. Even if she is among other women, the other women may do things that indicate that they are tempted by her. And whatever is a cause of fitnah is not allowed.

The global music industry is worth billions of dollars and steadily increasing in revenue. Yet, there are busy innovating new ways to oppose the message of guidance by promoting music and musicians to such a high status, as a means of finding worldly success, happiness and inner peace. Don’t fall into heedlessness. Fight your nafs. And keep pondering these simple truths. It distracts from Ibaadah (worship). And you know what, it has entered upon us, moved us and become part of our lives so much you cannot go to the bathroom without. It’s a challenge, a jihad for our nafs, a very big one. And some Imams say you know there is no authentic hadith that claims it’s forbidden, and they are like yeea I myself listen to it, and you’re like whaat!! Don’t go with what pleases you and be blinded and side with those who say its okay. It has power you know, over people. We end up loving it more than we love the Qur’an Subhan’Allah and try to replace it with Anasheed. I was walking down the street and some Muslim ladies had earphones enjoying the Anasheed and singing along with it more than listening to the Qur’an, reflecting on it and crying how beautiful the speech of Allah can be. The miracle of mankind not the speech and lyrics of man. I didn’t say Anasheed is haram, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to get an email or comments saying I’m making Islam difficult. But get what I mean the instruments used is what we are ever drawn to, the beats of it. When an artist comes up on stage and some smoke is coming off, it goes back to the same thing. The same effect. It is very unfortunate that the one who listens to Anasheed a great deal finds it difficult to read Qur’an or even to listen to it; this is something harmful which should not be taken lightly. With regard to the tabl and other kinds of musical instruments, it is not permissible to use them with the Anasheed, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did not do that.

There is nothing wrong with listening to Islamic Anasheeds which contain words of wisdom, exhortation, encouragement to do good, and promotion of noble attitudes, so long as there are no musical instruments and the voices do not provoke fitnah or incite one to do haram deeds, and so long as one does not listen to them a great deal. It is permissible, as an alternative to these songs, for you to listen to Islamic Anasheeds which include wisdom, exhortation and words that promote enthusiasm and protective jealousy for Islam, and stir up Islamic feelings, and put one off evil and the things that lead to it, to motivate the one who “sings” the Anasheeds and the one who listens to them to obey Allah and deter them from sin and transgressing the sacred limits of Allah, and encourage them to live life within the framework of Sharee’ah. But he should not regard that as a “wird” that he must adhere to, or a habit in which he engages on a continual basis, rather it should be something that he listens to from time to time on appropriate occasions when there is a need for it, such as at weddings, and so on, or when he is feeling listless and needs something to revive his spirits and encourage him to do good, or when he feels inclined towards evil so he listens to it to deter himself from it.

However that is purer for his soul and is more effective in bringing comfort to the heart is the Qur'an.  Allah says, “Allah has sent down the Best Statement, a Book (this Qur’an), its parts resembling each other (in goodness and truth) (and) oft‑repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the Guidance of Allah. He guides there with whom He wills; and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide”  Surah Az-Zumar (Q39:23)

At home you put on the Qur’an and they are like naah naah turn that down a bit I wanna listen to this artist, its Anasheed. It has already gone to the heart and occupies the heart, squeezing the Qur’an out. You have more pleasure in hearing the Anasheed more than the Qur’an, what has happened? How can it be on the same scale or high than the Qur’an? And to know how powerful it is, when some lyrics or just the instruments are played (a song from way back), a song you already forgot about and the whole song is back in your head, everything, the dance moves etc. and that’s how it is. Some even say that’s my jam, what do you mean that’s your jam!! I don’t hear that’s my favorite Surah.

When we were warned about it by the Messenger of Allah, it is because it is dangerous for our souls and that’s why Islam is here to guide our souls from this obsession. Pray for us and we are praying for all of the Muslims everywhere. May Allah guide us and forgive us and grant us Jannah, Ameen. Verily, Allah guides the believers to a straight path.

And Allah knows best.