MUSIC FORBIDDEN

Is Music Haram?

All Praise belongs to Allah; Lord of the worlds, and may His blessings and peace be upon the noblest of Messengers: Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.

Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Holy Quran, Sura 42(Ash-Shura or Consultation) Ayat:33-36.

"If we treat Allah's Sign in the wrong Spirit, i.e contumaciously reject them or constantly disputed about instead of trying to understand, we are told that such tactics will avail us nothing: we cannot escape the consequences of our sins. The only way to escape is by repentence on our part and the great mercy by Allah (SWT)

Certainly, the most truthful speech is the book of Allah, and the finest guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. And the most evil of matters, are the newly invented matters of this religion; for every newly invented matter in this religion is a Bid�ah, and every Bid�ah is a misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hell-Fire.

Listening Music and Singing is a Major Sin

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. 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].

3. Allah 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. Allah 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 indecent peoples. 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 Hadith and keep remembering Allaah. I advise you to listen to Qur'aanic Tafsir/lecture of scholars. 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."

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, is music Haram? The answer Insha'Allah is one that many know, but avoid and forget.... We must ask ourselves why don't we just give up music?... Is it hard? No, of course not! To give up music is easy if you are willing to sacrifice listening to music for the sake of Allah (e.g. What Allah, the All-Knowing, does not permit it, we should not permit - What Allah loves, we should love, what Allah hates, we should hate)!! Allah (swt) created us not for His own benefit and He has given us the finest guide lines for our own benefit. "Islam isn't made up of personal desires, whims or what people think".

Why can't we listen to music? Well Insha'Allah we will make the reasons clear by the time you finish this article...

One of the clear proofs that music is from Shaytaan is that Allah the Exalted says: "And of mankind is he who purchases idle discourse to mislead (men) from the path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery." (31:6 Qur'an)

Many interpreters of the Qur'an said that the "idle discourse" in this verse means songs. Ibn Mas'ud (R.D) who was a companion of the Prophet (s.a.w) said it was songs. Al-Hasan Al-Basri also said it means songs and music playing.

And Insha'Allah here is more clear evidence that music is from Shaytaan, as Allah the Exalted said, addressing Shaytaan: "And befool them whom you can with your voice (songs, music and any other call for disobedience)..." (17:64 Qur'an) so as we can see, music is of no benefit in Islam, you might say it relaxes us, or that you don't listen to it much.... the answer is the Qur'anic recitation is better than all Music as the Qur'an does relax the soul and calm the mind, no one can compare music to the Qur'an as the Qur'an is better by far (Who, among Muslims, could deny this?).

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "There shall be a portion of my nation who will consider adultery, silk (for men), wine and music permissible." (Bukhari and Abu Dawud).

Meaning that as adultery and silk were - and still are - Haram, so was, and is, music! It is also interesting to note that people say "my sheikh said music is okay", well that Sheikh should pay attention to the above hadith...

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "Bells are musical instruments of the Shaytaan." (Reported in Sahih Muslim). I wonder how many of we Muslim's listen to this music of Shaytaan? Many of us are listening to it, and I recommend that we all make dua to Allah that he removes this desire for music out of our hearts.

Now you are probably wondering is there any music that is allowed? the Answer is yes, but ONLY if it is of an Islamic nature, as Islamic songs praise Allah. As well, another condition is that there are to be NO musical instruments in the songs, or "nasheeds" as they are called.

With the above in mind what kafir (non-muslim) song actually praises Allah? none! All kafir songs talk about haram things, or how one woman, or man, fell in love and committed forbidden acts... Is this what we want to listen to? Something that tells us that what Allah, the All-Knowing, has made forbidden and harmful to us, is okay????

Types of Allowed Songs
What are the allowed songs?? the argument that "Music" on special Islamic celebrations like 'Eid is from the following Hadith.

Narrated by Aisha: "Allah's Apostle (s.a.w) came to my house while two girls were singing beside me the songs of Buath (a story about the war between the two tribes of the Ansar, the Khazraj and the Aus, before Islam). The Prophet (s.a.w) layed down and turned his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying, "Musical instruments of Shaytaan near the Prophet (s.a.w) ?" Allah's Apostle (s.a.w) turned his face towards him and said, "Leave them." When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signalled to those girls to go out and they left. It was the day of 'Eid, and the Black people were playing with shields and spears; so either I requested the Prophet (s.a.w) or he asked me whether I would like to see the display. I replied in the affirmative. Then the Prophet (s.a.w) made me stand behind him and my cheek was touching his cheek and he was saying, "Carry on! O Bani Arfida," till I got tired. The Prophet (s.a.w) asked me, "Are you satisfied (Is that sufficient for you)?" I replied in the affirmative and he told me to leave." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.70)

Also Music in weddings is allowed only if it fits the Islamic requirements which are that there are no musical instruments (except for the duff - a monotone drum) and that the songs are of Islamic content, also I would like to point out that the women who sang these songs were not over the age of marriage, all the females who sang these songs were only small girls at the time, just some of the proof of this is shown in the following hadith.

Narrated by Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari that Amir ibn Sa'd said: "Going in and finding Qarazah ibn Ka'b and Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari at a wedding where girls were singing" I said, "Is this being done in the presence of you two who are companions of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and were present at Badr?" They replied, "Sit down if you wish and listen along with us, or go away if you wish, for we have been given licence for amusement at a wedding." (Nasa'i transmitted it. Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 3159)

But then again too much music, even if it is of the permitted type, can become disliked as music can increase hypocrisy in the heart, this is shown in the following hadith.

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, Salaam ibn Miskin, quoting an old man who witnessed AbuWa'il in a wedding feast, said: "They began to play, amuse and sing. He united the support of his hand round his knees that were drawn up, and said: I heard Abdullah (ibn Mas'ud) say: I heard the apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: Singing produces hypocrisy in the heart." (Sunan of Abu-DawoodHadith 4909)

Finally: Narrated Abu Hurayrah: "Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said,

"When the booty is taken in turn, property given in trust is treated as spoil, zakat is looked on as a fine, learning is acquired for other than a religious purpose, a man obeys his wife and is unfilial towards his mother, he brings his friend near and drives his father far off, voices are raised in the mosques, the most wicked member of a tribe becomes its ruler, the most worthless member of a people becomes its leader, a man is honoured through fear of the evil he may do, singing-girls and stringed instruments make their appearance, wines are drunk, and the last members of this people curse the first ones, look at that time for a violent wind, an earthquake, being swallowed up by the earth, metamorphosis, pelting rain, and signs following one another like bits of a necklace falling one after the other when its string is cut." (Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 5450)

This Hadith sounds like it's describing the muslims now... look at how many muslims listen to female singers, and how many play musical instruments??? also how many people curse the Sahabah!! this hadith needs to be paid attention.

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