24 responses so far ↓

• 1 readinglord // Jun 27, 2008 at 6:22 am

  I remember as a child that musical instruments of any kind were band in our house. During my ‘Khtna’ ceremoney some women brought a ‘dholak’ in our house. Suddenly my father came in. He got very angry on seeing the dholak. He held an ambrela which he pushed through the dholak and tore it. And now… the cable, the internet and what not have come in our homes where even a dholak was not tolerated.

  In fact, what is to day come to be called religion, it is so childish a complex of superstitions that they must be protected by a rigid system of taboos, else even half-wits would argue it to pieces. Its first concern thus be to penalize the free play of ideas about ‘Halal’, ‘Haram’, etc., etc .

• 2 ABDUL GHAFOOR // Jun 27, 2008 at 11:24 am

  Why the hell are we so backwards about our religion? Why the hell should we be always talking about music, sex, alcohol, and other topics as being ‘halal’ or ‘haram’. There are many other things in our everyday lives that we practice, preach, lie about and follow double standards. As Muslims, we are the worst type of hypocrites, putting even the Shaitan to shame! STOP this bloody discussion on what is haram and what is haram. Religion is between YOU & ALLAH alone and NOTHING should come between, except the Holy Quran which speaks the language, thoughts and hidayaths as ordained by Allah to not only muslims alone, but also to the entire human race on planet earth as well as all other living forms that breathe life in civilizations in the galaxies and cosmos which we earthlings so far have not been able to get in touch with. DO NOT JUST READ THE HOLY QURAN JUST FOR THE SAKE OF READING. READ, UNDERSTAND, INTERPRETE, JUDGE THE PRACTICALITY OF APPLICATION, FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES, LEARN TO LIVE IN PEACE WITHIN YOU AND ONLY THEN CAN WE MUSLIMS TAKE OUR RIGHTFUL PLACES AS REPECTABLE EARTHLINGS IN A WORLD THAT TODAY MOCKS US AND KILLS US WITH IMPUNITY. Go on, dare read and understand the Holy Quran and practice in your own way that pleases Allah Almighty. There are greater things to do than just scare yourselves and others harping about music being halal or haram!

• 3 irfnazir // Jun 27, 2008 at 1:43 pm

  Dear Brother Abdul Ghafoor

  Sharing information and knowledge is always good in every society and religion. Islam stresses a lot on this knowledge sharing and there are many examples of those.

  The Holy Quran is very practical and I am sure you can find most of your answers in there. I am sure you try to your best to follow it the way you have asked others to do.

  The article in question is an example of such knowledge sharing and not “harping about music being halal of haram”. Every person is at a different level of Taqwa and I am sure a lot of us benefit from such articles.

  I hope you understand the point with an open mind. May Allah (SWT) guide all of us to the right path.

• 4 frenetic // Jun 27, 2008 at 7:55 pm

  This is a waste of time really. Music is not *explicitly* banned like pork and alcohol - it is a gray area - and, as such, requires a lot of careful individual thinking, not some prejudiced selection of Ahadith which really make no sense. Islam is *natural*, there is no *compulsion* in it, there is a solid reason to everything - else it would just be superstition.

  One should investigate what the lure of music is all about - and one should watch Khuda ke Liye. Has anyone of you studied the history of the guitar and noted the Muslim contribution to it?

  This is a pointless debate really - and its been settled several times in the history of Islam, but we as a people seem to love dragging up these old issues time and again and pretend its a living vital issue of the times. Honour killings abound, women are treated worse than animals, there is no justice in the land, corruption reigns, Western values have already seeped into our minds - Hey! Let’s ban music!

• 5 WellWisher // Jun 28, 2008 at 6:09 am

  Islam is a very liberal religion and poses on compulsions on its followers. It never demands of its followers to come hard on themselves in the practice of their faith. I guess, it is upto you to practice your faith to the degree that you can afford to. There are some believers who never practice all five pillars and still insist to be identified as BIG Muslims. There are others who practice down to every letter and spirit and still feel so humble and imperfect. Whether music is Halal of Haram, ask your self and decide. I would admit, music is a fact of life and I cant avoid it today’s life but that does not stop me from loathing it as a forbidden thing.

• 6 Dodgeblogium » Muslim rapper gets death threats // Jul 11, 2008 at 6:46 pm

  […] Storming the citadels of Islam with heavy metal. […]

• 7 Sameer Khan // Aug 29, 2008 at 8:00 pm

  Hope this will help some socalled Muslims

• 8 Zuhair // Sep 29, 2008 at 10:14 am

  The hadeeth about silk, alcohol and musical instruments as lawful by some of this ummah is a weak hadith because the chain of narrators is broken and bukari mentioned this himself. Also there is no mention of music in the Quran. Although some suggest that ‘idle talk’ in the quran refers to music. I personally think ‘idle talk’ refers to a whole deal of things, including the content of most music today (ie hip hop and r&b songs that promote rubbish and have no benefit). Idle talk can be also be other things. On the other hand not all music is rubish and not all music has bad content. There is nothing else in islam that can be seen as evidence againts music, and whatever evidence people have found are either weak or debatable. Finally i want to share this opinion; if something is haram or is sinful in islam, why is there nothing that strongly suggests music as being haram, in the quran. Why is there not more than a few hadith that suggest music to be haram and why is there no strong hadith that suggests all types of musical instruments are haram?
  I do not think music itself is haram or that instruments are haram, but i do agree that some or most types of music today can lead people to haram acts because this type music have haram lyrics and promote haram acts like zina, drinking, mixing with the other gender and drugs.
  I also feel the need to stress the rule, everything in the world is halal unless suggested otherwise from the quran or sunnah.
  May Allah guid us all, and may we be reminded of our mission here in this life.

• 9 Assia // Oct 6, 2008 at 7:10 pm

  I tottaly agree with you Zuhair,

  if Music is sooo haram, why would our Prophet Mohammed (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) give presmisson to Aicha to continu listening to the music that the girls were doing in his own house!

  Our Prophet Mohammed (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) was the first one hwo would leave.. if there was a sin going on. And in the hadeeth that some people refur to.. are not specifik that is teaching us that music is haram.

  I think that we are going to be judge by our intentions, if we listen to music to freshen up our minds and to relax there is nothing wrong about that, or using it for sport. But if you are listening to music and its the time for pray, I think then you make sin. but music it self is not a sin.

  I find it very heart broken that we as a moslim community are judgeing everyone else by this subject, Allah made music en its up to us, to use it for something good.

  And by the way, the hadeeth that says that there wil be people hwo wants to make silk for men, and sexual intercourse and musical instruments halal,.. is there not a hadeeth that is saying that our Prophet Mohammed (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) let a few men hwo had an illnes with there skin to wear silk?

  It’s our intentions people. our intentions.

• 10 yosistuh // May 28, 2009 at 3:34 am

  I don’t understand what is debatable or unclear to you when Muhammad (saws) has made music forbidden and this is clear as water, its not hard to understand, theres no controversy, if anything, we are the ones making it hard, adding confusions, making debates because we love our music and that is the bottom line
  Music takes you away from remembrance of Allah (SWT), and it controls your emotions
  & fine, say music is halal, as a real, God fearing Muslim, you don’t even care about listening to that new song that came out, wasting your time, since your so busy, increasing your connection with Allah (SWT), seeking His forgiveness, increasing your good deeds, gaining beneficial knowledge, if your no arab, you gotta learn arabic to understand the Qur’an, memorize it, learn about rasool (saws), his biography, truly it brings you in tears, guys, theres so much to do, here i am only listing some things and here we are listening to music, guys, fear Allah, be mindful of Allah, don’t let musical instruments get in the way of that
  Some say the ones who drop music and instead listen to Qur’an is extreme, well, muslims, you better get use to that name if your going to follow Islam properally
  If your a muslim who loves music, and Allahu alim, increase your connection with Allah (SWT) first, it should be a thing where you fall in love with the Quran and just don’t care about music anymore, i mean, this should be easy for you, you should understand what your doing
  Don’t listen to my words, see what Muhammad (saws) has said, see what the Qur’an has said, and obey, as a Muslim, you submit to the Qur’an and sunnah/hadith of Muhammad (saws)

• 11 Ashhab Ashraf // Jun 17, 2009 at 10:19 pm

  MashaALLAH….what a meaningfull and efficient response.
  A response that is concentrated for the benefit of the holy deen till the last day and not for the benefit of self interests…I totally agree with ur response Yosistoh. This has to be the way of muslim ummath…
  but sad to say modernist muslim simply flow with the materialistic trend. Love and satisfaction of Allah is not a matter anymore.

• 12 A // Sep 8, 2009 at 11:37 am

  Assalamualaikum wa R wa B

  Firstly, Allah knows best.

  Secondly, I am no scholar and only 0ffer my thoughts.

  It is a difficult world we live in today. Indeed one where it is hard to escape the material world. And after all, isn’t this really a question about how worldly we are? Yosistuh’s response is excellent. We should busy ourselves trying to find ways to please our Creator and better the chances of our afterlife through kindness, peace, building bridges of understanding, being good children to our parents, good brothers, sisters, husbands and wives, through ibaadat, prayer, study of our religion and so on. Worldliness and materialism are tempting traps for our vanity and egos and certainly one cannot deny that music is an attractive distraction, a definite pleasure. Our focus should be on the pleasure of Allah, not on our own pleasure ((This is not to say that pleasure is forbidden); it should be not be on this world but the world to come.

  At the very least, one could avoid music that strikes the wrong chords, music that propagates violence, glamourizes the ego, wealth, the body, and that propounds negativity or the many ill deeds that we as Muslims should guard ourselves against. Lastly, be aware that you are always, always being watched. Practice taqwa - awareness of Allah. Use your spiritual intuition. If there is the slightest doubt about something, then simply avoid it. What harm can come out of that, as opposed to risking an unintentional bad deed?

• 13 Nawaz // Sep 8, 2009 at 3:29 pm

  Whether music is halal or haram, I can not say for certain (although many scholars - the people that have studied the subject in greater depth than I - agree that it is haram).

  I can though state that I have taken the former view as my own personal guidance and for many years I have forsaken both music and Indian/Pakistani films (there is no question in my mind that these are forbidden for one reason or another. Filthy productions containing filthy people. I have seen “Khuda Ke Liye” - not exactly what I had expected - found quite offensive really…and I live in the West).

  I am glad I chose the option that I did (although there was a recent relapse - on the death of MJ), as there are more pressing needs that we as Muslims should concentrate on (in addition to preparing our souls for the next life). I found time for news (or what is sold as news) and discovered discrepancies between what we are being told by the mainstream media and what the truth really is.

  There are many other ways that one can “have fun”.

  Switch off the music, enter the real world.

  Nawaz. Angry Man Of Pakistani Origin.

• 14 ILTA(: // Oct 10, 2009 at 6:23 pm

  assalmualaikum.

  i hope you all are fine(:

  ohkayy, have you all heard that experiences are your best tutors/teachers?

  i’m sure you all did, right?(:

  i’m gonna narrate to you my experiences, which are true. trust me(:

  this year, i started praying tahajjud. tahajjud has many benefits. and if i;m not wrong, one of it is about drawing oneself closer to allah.

  whenever, WHENEVER i played songs/music, something bad always happened to me.

  furthermore, i totally agree with the fact that MUSIC INCREASES HYPROCRISY IN ONE’S HEART.

  i have experienced it before.

  From my experience,
  I understand the signs of allah (i.e. music is haraam),
  I WILL NEVER DISAGREE THAT MUSIC IS HARAAM.

  Music is the root of evil.
  Music is a form of wine, just that you cant “see” it, you cant drink it,
  BUT IT STILL POSSESSES YOU, ONCE YOU HEAR IT.

  ohkayy, let’s have it YOUR way then (i.e. music isnt haraam)
  Now, go around the globe. what do you see?
  Is music utilised effectively and properly?
  Is music even portrayed as a haarmless thingy?

  YOU KNOW THAT more than 95% of music is used in movies that contain undesirable things (e.g. violence, fornification, etc.)
  How many songs/music do we know that have positive effect on us?
  stop arguing and ponder over this.

  And as for those who think this is a useless topic to discuss on, i’m sorry but you’re mistaken.

  MUSIC IN THIS CENTURY SEEMS TO TAKE A VERY IMPT ROLE IN EVERYONE’S LIFE.
  shaitaan, via music, is misguiding us.
  the increase of crime rates and vices… where did the come from.

  FROM THE EVIL, SICK MUSIC, WHICH SEEMS SO INNOCENT!!!

  Stop, ponder for a while, and if you place you’re trust in allah, you’ll know for yourself. TRUST ME.

  Wassalam(:

• 15 ILTA(: // Oct 10, 2009 at 6:26 pm

  AND IT’S HIGH TIME WE WARD OFF MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

• 16 Nawaz // Oct 16, 2009 at 1:41 pm

  Wa-LaikumAssalam “ILTA(:”,

  Very well put. I have to agree with most of what you write - I too have gone through similar experiences.

  Nawaz. Angry Man Of Pakistani Origin.

• 17 Hadia // Dec 3, 2009 at 5:03 pm

  @ frentic: Since u mentioned Khuda keh liyeh, frentic i think u need to know here that a very wrong interpretation of this topic has been given in the movie. “O mountains! sing praises with him, and the birds; and We made the iron pliant to him…” this verse has also been told in the movie. However, the Hadith doesnot imply that “singing” is forbidden (except of females infront of non-mehram) it actually says that musical instruments EXCEPT duff are all haram!! that means guitar, piano etc are all harmam Therefore, donot believe in everything the movie says, please do research over the topic as well! Thankyou
  P.S: If ur still doubtful then read the reference : Ijma’a of the 4 imams:
  Music that takes one away from the remembrance of Allah (swt) and music that has other instruments other than the duff is strictly forbidden.

• 18 Hadia // Dec 3, 2009 at 5:09 pm

  @ Abdul Ghafoor:
  Sir, when u ev embraced a religion that tells u how to walk, talk, sit, sleep, what to wear and how to behave how can u say that it shud not b discussed amongst d embracers. Your religion is indeed between u n Allah then why does He at the same time tells us :
  “He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand;

  and if he has not strength enough to do that, then he should do it with his tongue;

  and if he has not strength enough to do even that, then he should (at least abhor it) from his heart; and that is the least of faith.”

  Sahih Muslim Hadith 79 Narrated by Abu Sa’d al Khudri
  Thankyou

• 19 azir // Feb 3, 2010 at 5:38 am

  Quran and Islam is for people who think and understand things logically,saying that musical instruments are forbidden under all conditions than this is very illogical,you should know haram is someting evil and therefore it is forbiden,nothing of it is good,but halal is something good and it is permissible,now you are saying to me…that a beautiful piano song is evil…that’s very wrong,you need to understand that to play a musical instrument you need talent,just like singing,ask yourself who gives this talent,now it depends from the person how he uses this talent,for good or bad,Allah swt left us many things to think and be grateful to Allah,just as our body and brain is something beautiful given to us by Allah swt,the same is with musical talent…the problem is in that time of Muhammad the pagans were playing music…so they were singing bad…if anything is haram it is haram if it does evil…but if there’s something good from it you can’t say it’s haram…just like drugs…some use them to kill themself..some use them to heal themself(medications) so than reflect upon my words,think and understand my message…if this was haram than there wouldn’t be a single sheikh and scholar that would say that music is permissible under halal conditions(such as singing for Allah and good things),a person can sing for his wife or husband,it all depends from the situation,read again the hadith,not a single of them is really authentic,and most of them are opinions of people not what Muhammed directly said…and Muhammed permitted the singing,how can than singing be bad…conclusion is that using lofic,musical instruments are permitted as long as it doesn’t lead anyone to haram,we can use it for halal not for haram…Muslims don’t follow things blindly,so therefore practice Islam with wisdom not with false illogical teachings…and ask yourself when these hadiths were written(200 years after the death of Muhammad) Allah said He explained things in details so if musical instruments were so haram He would have said so,and Muhammad wouldn’t have used even the darf if they were haram(darf is a musical instrument)…think again and try to understand my message,be the Muslims that Allah wants you to be,not the Muslims that some extremists “scholars” want you to be.

• 20 meher // May 13, 2010 at 12:15 pm

  Music. The shaitan, indeed, makes what is good look evil and what is evil look good.

  References within the context of the Holy Qur`aan along with the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) confirm that music is haraam.

  Interpreters of the Qur`aan have defined the term `lahwal hadith` which is mentioned in the Qur`aan as:

  1) Singing and listening to songs.
  2) Purchasing of male and female singers.
  3) Purchase of instruments of fun and amusement.

  When Sayyidana Abdullah Ibne Mas`ood , a very close companion of our Prophet (PBUH) was asked about the meaning of the term `lahwal hadith`, he replied :

  “I swear by Him besides whom there is no other God,that it refers to ghinaa (singing ).”

  This statement, he repeated three times. This view is unanimously supported by the four Khalifas, the eminent Sahabaah, Tabi`een, the four Imaams and other reliable Islaamic scholars and authorities.

  PROOF FROM THE QURAN

  1st Proof from the Qur’an

  “But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path): for such there will be a humiliating Penalty.” [31:6]

  Ibn Abbas (radhi Allahu anh) said idle tales in this verse “lahu al hadith” is evil and music.

  Mujahid (rahimahu Allah ) said idle tales in this verse “lahu al hadith” was the drum.

  Hassan AlBasri said this verse was revealed about music and musical instruments. Alsady included in this evil talk and musical instruments.

  Ibn al Qayyim (rahimahu Allah ) said, “The interpretation of the sahabah (companions) and Tabi’een (their followers) of idle tales in this verse “lahu al hadith” is sufficient in that it means music.”

  Abu Alsahbaa’ said I asked Ibn Masoood about Allah’s verse. He said, “Wallahi the one and only one its music – repeating it three times.” (This is authentic in being attributed to Ibn Masood and Ibn Abbas)

  Ibn Umar (radhi Allahu anh) also said it means Music.

  Therefore, if you take time to observe around you will see that music is a path to adultery and fornication. It plants the seed of hypocrisy , the seed of polytheism. When people turn to music, like it and get addicted to it, it becomes the alcohol of the mind. One turns away from the Qur’an more than anything else once their hearts become addicted to music.

  Allah says, “..for such there will be a humiliating Penalty .” for those who replaces the Qur’an with idle tales.

  2nd Proof from the Qur’an

  “Lead to destruction those whom thou canst among them, with thy (seductive) voice, make assaults on them with thy cavalry and thy infantry; mutually share with them wealth and children; and make promises to them. “But Satan promises them nothing but deceit.” 17:64

  Mujahid (rahimahu Allah ) said, “..and his voice is music and evil.”

  Ibn al Qayyim (rahimahu Allah ) said, “everyone who speaks in disobedience to Allah and or user of musical instruments, flute, haram duff, drums is the voice of the shytan.”

  3rd Proof from the Qur’an :

  “Do ye then wonder at this recital? And will ye laugh and not weep. Wasting your time in vanities?” 53: 59-61

  Ikrimah (rahimahu Allah) said Ibn abbas said Sumood in the verse mean music; when you say usmud lana it means sing to us.

  He said they used to when they heard the Qur’an sing, so Allah revealed the verse.

  Ibn Katheer (rahimahu Allah) said in his tafseer under this verse, Sufian Althawry narrated that his father heard Ibn abbas say usmud for us means sing for us.

  PROOF FROM THE SUNNAH

  1st Proof from the Sunnah

  Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari that he heard the Prophet saying, “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, (ma`aazif) as lawful.

  Detailed analysis of the arabic word `ma`aazif ` shows that it refers to musical instruments, the sounds of those musical instruments and singing with the accompaniment of instruments.

  This hadith shows that music is haram through two avenues:

  a. The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) mentioned that they will make permissible, meaning its haram/prohibited and they will make it permissible. Note all the examples in the hadith are issues that are haram.

  b. The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) combined the musical instruments with that which is decisively haram like adultery/fornication and alcohol. Had music not been prohibited then it would not have been combined to that which is prohibited.

  Had there not been other than this hadith to show music was haram it would have been enough.

  Sheikh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahu Allah) said this hadith proves musical instruments to be haram and “ma’azif” (the term in the hadith is a term used for all musical instruments.)

  Then, he went on to say of those who play music or listen to it in the name of Islam, “And know that in the first three centuries whether in Arabian Peninsula, Sham, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, or Khurasan there were none of those who were religious and righteous of worshippers who gather to listen to music whether with a duff, clappings or flute. And, it was done after the first three centuries, when the imams saw this, they refuted it.”

  2nd Proof from the Sunnah

  Naafey (rahimahu Allah) said Ibn Umar heard a musical instrument so he (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) placed his fingers in his ears and walked away from the area and said, “Naafey can u hear anything?” I said, “No!” He took his fingers out of his ears and said, “I was with the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) and he heard like this and did as I did.”

  Some claim this hadith is not proof on the prohibition of musical instruments because had it been haram the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) would have plugged his ears and ordered Ibn Umar to do so, and Ibn Umar would have ordered Nafe to do that as well.

  The reply to that is there is a difference between “sama-e” and “istima-e” “Sama-e” is to unintentionally hear music and “Istima” is to purposely listen to music or go in a setting where there is music. Here, Ibn Umar and the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) did not purposely listen and neither did did Naafey.

  Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahu Allah ) said, “What one does not intend of listening to is not haram as all scholars agree. Therefore, the prohibition or reward is based on whether it’s istima-e or sama-e. Someone who purposely listen to Qur’an “istima-e” will get reward; yet another who listens accidentally (or not wanting or seeking) does not get reward. Likewise, with musical instruments. Listening to it unintentionally and without seeking it will not hurt him.

  Ibn Qudamah AlMaqdise (rahimahu Allah) said that Ibn Umar (radhi Allahu anhuma) did not intend to listen since he was just a passer-by and the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) walked away from that street. He (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) would not have came back had he not known the music ended and neither would he have taken his fingers out of his ears. Therefore, it was necessary for Ibn Umar (radhi Allahu anhuma) not to place his fingers in his ears to let the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) know when the music ended.

  3rd Proof from the Sunnah

  The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) walked with Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf in between pine trees. The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) then placed his son Ibrahim on his lap and began to cry. Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf said, “Oh prophet of Allah do you cry when you stop us from crying?”“I did not deter you from crying. I deterred you from two evil sinful voices – a voice with musical devilish instruments and a voice at a misery with scraping of the face and shredding of the clothe.” He said,

  SAYING OF IMAMS REGARDING MUSIC

  1. The Madhab of Imam Abu Hanifa:

  The Madhab of Imam Abu Hanifa is among the most critical and harshest quotes on music. Imam Abu Hanifa’s students clearly declared musical instruments haram and anyone who listens to it is considered a fasiq whose testimony is not accepted.

  Some went on to say that listening to music is fisq (astray) and enjoying it is kufr. They used weak hadith to support that statement.

  They also said one must strive not to listen to it if he passes by it or if its near him.

  Abu Yusuf, one of Abu Hanifa’s most famous teachers, said, “A house that music is heard from can be raided without permission because ordaining the good and forbidding the evil is fard, and if we require permission for entry in such situation then people would not be able to perform the fard of forbidding the evil.”

  2. The Madhab of Imam Malik:

  Imam Malik (rahimahu Allah ) was asked about those who play the drums and flute and those who enjoy listening to it as one passes by.

  He said one must get up and leave unless he is sitting for something extremely urgent or cannot get up. If he hears it in his pathway then he should go back or speed forward.

  He said music is something the fusooq (astray) do.

  Ibn Abdal Bar (rahimahu Allah) said scholars agree by ijma on the issue of riba, that the dowry of the prostitution is taking payment for weeping over the dead, forturne tellers those who claim to know unforeseen and news of the skies, musical instruments, and all wrongful play.

  3. The Madhab of Imam Shafi’i:

  His students and those truly knowledgeable of his madhab clearly declared music and musical instruments haram and denied that he ever said it was halal.

  The author of “Kifayat al Akbar”, who is a Shafi’i scholar, considered musical instruments an evil that needed to be forbidden upon those who hear or see it. He said that a person is not excused if scholars who go with the flow are present (make a fatwa for it) or if they are poor (meaning the Sufis as that was one of their names back then). Because they are ignorant followers of everyone who barks. They never follow the brightness of knowledge but bend to every wind.

  4. The Madhab of Imam Ahmad:

  Imam Ahmad’s son, Abdullah, asked his father about music. His father said, “It grows hypocrisy within one’s heart and I dislike it.” And, then he said Imam Maliks quote that only fusooq (astray) do it.

  Ibn Qudamah, who is considered among the biggest Imam of the Hanbali Madhabs, said, “Musical instruments are haram like guitar, trumpets, flutes, drums and so on. Whoever continues to listen to it, his testimony is rejected.

  And then he goes on to say, “If one goes to a wedding with prohibition like alcohol musical instrument and can forbid evil then he must otherwise he should not attend.”

  5. Ibn Taymiyyah:

  He said, as evident with the four imam’s Madhab, that all musical instruments are haram. As the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) said in AlBukhari that there will be those who make halal musical instruments and that they will be transformed into apes and pigs. He notes that none of the followers of the four imams mentioned a dispute amongst them on this matter.

  Ibn Taymiyyah also said musical instruments are alcohol to one’s soul, and it does to one soul more than what alcholol does.

  6. More Scholars:

  At-Tabary (rahimahu Allah) said the scholars of all countries have made ijama3 that music is hated and must be avoided. He mentioned quotes by Abul Faraj saying that “Alkafal, from our madhab, said ‘that one who listens to music or dances, his testimony cannot be accepted, as we have shown it is not permissible. Therefore, taking salary for it is haram as well.’” AlQasem said, “Music is of evil.”

  Alhassan (rahimahu Allah ) said if people invite u to a marriage that contains music then their invitation should not be accepted.

  SCHOLARS ON DESTROYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

  a. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahu Allah) said “It is permissible to destroy musical instruments according to most scholars, and it is the mathab of Imam Malik and the selected chosen two among the Hanbalis.”

  He also said it was not permissible to manufacture musical instruments.

  b. Ibn Shaibah narrated that a man broke a musical instrument for another. They disputed the matter to a judge, and the judge found that the owner of the instrument receives nothing in compensation since it is a haram instrument with no value.

  c. AlBahawy (rahimahu Allah) issued a fatwa in declaring all musical instruments haram and that they cannot be sold unless they are destroyed , They cannot be used for musical purpose but would be sold for its value of wood or metal.

  EXCEPTION

  Once we know from the solid proof mentioned that musical instruments are haram, then anyone who mentions a musical instrument to be halal must present proof.

  Among the exception, and the only one in fact, is the use of a duff (a small hand drum) with no metallic tones on them.

  The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) made an exception to that instrument for ‘Eid and weddings.

  It is not correct to claim that since he (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) permitted that, then drums must be halal, or other similar instruments are halal. They had drums then, and scholars named drums specifically among the haram. The scholars even specified the duff (small drum) with metal on its sides to make noise as being haram as well.

  In one hadith narrated by Aisha (radhi Allahu anh) two young girls were chanting with the duff on ‘Eid while the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) had his back turned to them because he was preoccupied. Abu Bakr (radhi Allahu anh) walked in and scolded them for using instruments in the prophet’s house which the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) forbade. The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) told Abu Bakr to let them be for it was the day of ‘Eid.

  We learn from that hadith that the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) heard the duff play, meaning its not haram. Therefore, it is not haram upon men to hear it even though it was known that men never played it.

  MISCONCEPTIONS FROM THOSE WHO THINK MUSIC IS HALAL

  1. They claim all the hadith on music are weak.

  The reply is that they are all strong ahadeeth. Some ahadeeth are in the 2nd most authentic book after the Qur’an such as Sahih Bukhari. Although some ahadeeth are weak, there are more solid authentic hadith that prohibits music. We mentioned a few in this paper.

  The scholars of the past have all united on the fact that the hadeeth on musical instruments are authentic, with the exception of Abu Hamed Alghazaly, who was not known to be a scholar of hadith, and Ibn Hazm.

  Ibn Hazm said, “Had he known the hadith to be authentic he would consider music haram, we have no solid proof that it is authentic.”

  2. Some say music is not haram for itself but only haram if combined to setting where there is alcohol or other issues that are haram.

  The rule that it must be combined to an additional matter is wrong. With this argument, we could also say fornication is not haram unless you drink alcohol and listen to music because that is all included in the hadith.

  According to their rule we say, “Why would fornication be haram in itself when it is combined in prohibition of musical instruments and alcohol?”

  There are verses in the Qur’an where Allah says, “He never believed in Allah and never encouraged to pay to the poor.”

  According to their rule we can also argue that “Not believing in Allah is not haram unless you do not pay the poor.”

  That is a ridiculous rationale.

  3. Some say music and musical instruments are not idle tales (lahu alhadith) as mentioned in the verse, or the verse is not clear on it being music.

  Music was the interpretation of the sahabah. On it, Ibn Masood gave an oath three times. Scholars followed and agreed in what he said.

  The Qur’an is not for me and you to guess its meaning, the Qur’an interprets each other or the prophet Muhammad (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) interpreted it or the sahabah interpreted it.

  The rule in Usool is that that when the sahabah say “this is meant by this in the Qur’an or this is the ruling on this”, it has hukm alrafa3. Meaning, the ruling on what they said is as though the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) said it, simply because they would not give commands or prohibitions without knowing or hearing it from the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam). Allah commanded us in the Qur’an “and a praise to those who follow them righteously” 9:100. Hence, if we do not follow them righteously, we are not worthy of the praise. We can only follow them righteously by following their interpretation of Islam, the Qur’an in particular.

  4. Some use the authentic hadith we mentioned where two girls were chanting warrior lyrics with a duff on the ‘Eid while the prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) listened as proof music is halal.

  The reply is that they were two young girls who had not reach puberty and even Aisha herself was very young. Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimahu Allah ) stated that we do not know of Aisha’s sayings except that she hated music and degraded it. In fact she taught her nephew AlQasim bin Muhammad the hatred of music as he was her student and who had express quotes against it.

  This situation was on ‘Eid and using the duff only (small drum), therefore, it is tolerable if one uses only the duff and on the ‘Eid or wedding. Because this was an exception. To add more exceptions proof must always be present.

  5. Some of those addicted to music go on to say the sahabah and tabe3een listened to music

  The reply is what Imam Muslim in his introduction said quoting Ibn Abdal Bar, “The chain of a narration is part of Islam, without it, people would have said what they want, when they want.”

  This is a call to bring solid authentic proof for every claim. If the proof is not available on the issue, then it must not be valid.

  People who were with the prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in his days and nights are the most knowledgeable people in Islam. Around them the Qur’an was revealed, and unto them it was recited first. They are the purest of the pure in the Arabic language. We do not leave their to that of people who come seven centuries later, or even 14 centuries later, who most likely are not well versed in the Arabic language.

  “The Prophet compared musical instruments to things that are definitely known to be haraam, namely zina and alcohol. If instruments were not haraam, he would not have made this comparison. The evidence of this hadeeth that singing is haram is definitive. Even if no other hadeeth or aayah spoke about musical instruments, this hadeeth would be sufficient to prove that they are haraam, especially the kind of singing and music that is known among people nowadays, the essence of which is obscenity and foul talk, based on all kinds of musical instruments such as guitars, drums, flutes, ouds, zithers, organs, pianos, violins and other things that make it more enticing, such as the voices of these effeminate singers and whores.”

  Muslims are aware that nothing has been prohibited by Allah except that which is harmful to the welfare of a Muslim individual and the society as a whole. The divine attribute behind the prohibition of music can be comprehended by looking into the diverse influence music can have.

  Experiments carried out by doctors and professors have confirmed that the music of today is such that it does not only affect the brain, but each and every organ of one`s body. There is a close relationship between music and bodily movements. We find that people listening to music automatically start tapping their fingers and feet, as if the music is permeating in their blood.

  It is also proved that music affect`s one`s emotions, increases arousal in terms of alertness and excitement and also leads to various physiological changes in the person. In a psychology experiment, it was found that listening to moderate type of music increased one`s normal heart beat, whilst listening to rock music the heart beat increased even further, yet people claim that music has no effect.

  It is a very ignorant and misguided attitude to percieve music as a form of pleasure and passing of time, since the messages of today`s music follow a general theme of love, fornication, drugs and freedom.

  We find that the whole world is obsessed with the kufr idea of freedom, i.e. freedom of speech, freedom of movement, etc. In modern schools and universities, we observe independence, free expression and secular thinking being encouraged. This idea of freedom, “ It`s my life, I`ll do what I want” is a predominant, underlying theme of today`s music. It is being used as a means for drilling those modern ideologies that are totally contrary to Islamic Shariah and values, into the minds of Muslims.

  One should abstain from evil audacities such as listening to music and encourage others to do the same too.

  May Allah increase us in our strength to obey Him. Ameen
  The sole purpose of this comment is to compell people to understand islam in its true sense,not by their personal thinking and preassumed ideology on certain issues.
  otherwise this is a heart rending reality
  K QURAN KI AYAT BAY zAMEER LOGUN SAY PERDA KERTI AYE HAIN AUR KERTI RAHEIN GE.

• 21 Sameer // May 16, 2010 at 5:47 pm

  LAME DISCUSSIONS!

  Althought the source is provided with the article, yet the long discussion on that website is still ignored by our biasedness…

  There is a lot more to say on this topic, esp to MEHER’s long opinionated and illogical as well as BIASED argument.

  its really sad to see when ppl are really not aware of what they r preaching, presenting just a single side. i wish to respond to each and every misconception being discussed and shared here but i still dont believe ppl would get out of the following attitude of (so-called) ulemas and blabla.

  just one question to broaden up your perception: isnt daff music too? how cud it be an exception when it is also specifically stated to be FORBIDDEN in several ahadith? if we follow Ibn-e-Mas’ood’s school of thought on music, why dont we follow his other ideologies (particularly MASAHIF of Mas’ood)? why dont we AT LEAST follow his ideology on music, which is, DAFF is also HARAM?

  O People of Islam! Becareful of making lawful things unlawful as it will have severe punishment hereafter.

  NOTE: For detailed discussion, visit the source website [http://www.pro-pakistan.com/2008/06/26/music-halal-or-haraam/] and view the commentary discussion on that website between Waqas (i.e. Author) and Sameer (i.e. me) and arrive at a sound and logical conclusion what you STILL deem appropriate. Thanks!

• 22 Sameer // May 16, 2010 at 5:55 pm

  meher> one more question for u, if music is considered to be HARAM and compared it to illegal sexual intercourse as well as alcohol, is silk also compared to all that??? LOL!!!
  Please read out all the Bukhari hadith (if u r confident enough). Like i said, ur discussion is not based on facts but opinions (like “as ulemas believe in it”, “as ulemas say so” etc) which quite similar to what Christians do with their religion…

  If you claim that as all Maktaba-Fikar state music to be haram, Imam Abu Hanifa and (probably) Imam Hanbal believed DAFF to be Haram. This is contrary to many ahadith.

  and how on earth did u come across this ridiculous idea “music (and daff only) is allowed on eid and weddings”? Havent u come across all the ahadith that shows music to be permissible???? I bet u havent :)

• 23 meher // May 17, 2010 at 7:20 pm

  well i just left a comment,my purpose was neither to do any sort of manazra nor to pass any disgratory remarks about any person living or dead.i just came up with the article which i thought should also be read by those who want to know the opinions of sulf saliheen in this matter and that’s all.

• 24 Sameer // Jul 2, 2010 at 12:52 am

  thanx for the reply “meher”

  here’s another link to a very recent news:

  http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/scholars-divided-over-imam-s-fatwa-on-music-1.647422

Leave a Comment