Music and songs

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say: ‘Singing (of unlawful songs) produces hypocrisy in the hearts.’

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4909 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salam alaikkum wr wb

Music is the topic and it wasnt listed in.

Anyways, my question:

I have heard a hadith that the Prophet SAWS has said that there will come a time when people among his Ummah will make liquor, silk (for men), fornication and musical instruments halal.

Does this mean that musical instruments are haraam? And does this also mean that we can`t LISTEN to or SING (with our mouths) any song that were once produced through musical instruments.

And is there any Hadith that says we cannot sing new songs that are not exactly praising Allah, but that are not vulgar or dirty in any manner. What about romantic songs and pure love songs that dont involve anything dirty?

Thank you, Will appreciate a detailed explanation if you are able to.

Salam alaikkum wr wb

Shefi

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

The concept of music

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.494B Narrated by Abu Amir

that he heard the Prophet (saws) 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, as lawful.”

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3153 Narrated by Muhammad ibn Hatib al-Jumahi

The Prophet (saws) said, "The distinction between what is lawful and what is unlawful is the song and the tambourine at a wedding."

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4909 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say: ‘Singing (of unlawful songs) produces hypocrisy in the hearts.’

Beloved brother in Islam, if one takes ‘music’ to mean the melodious sound of the Muaddin while calling to prayer, or the beautiful sound of the ‘Qari’ when he recites the Holy Quran, or the musical sound of the ‘daff’ (tambourine) that is played to celebrate one’s wedding or on the Day of Eid, or the tunes of chorus sung by the mujahideen, etc.; these are not only permitted, these types of music are absolutely encouraged in Islam.

Thus, ‘music’ per se is not forbidden in Islam; what is indeed forbidden in Islam is the illegal string music which is so rampant in movies, television, radios, etc. which encourage ‘fahisha’ and indecency.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 33:

33 Say: ‘The things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: ‘faahisha’ (shameful deeds) whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.’

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 151:

151 Say: "Come I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from: join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents: kill not your children on a plea of want; We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not even near ‘faahisha’ (shameful deeds) whether open or secret; take not life which Allah hath made sacred except by way of justice and law”: thus doth He command you that ye may learn wisdom.

If one looks around the society we live in today, one would notice that conventional ‘music’ is related to almost every place that encourages ‘fahisha’ or indecency; and it is this concept of ‘fahisha’ and indecency that Allah has strictly declared haraam for the believers. The principle in Islam is that every road that leads to the forbidden is also forbidden; and as illegal conventional ‘music’ is an accomplice to and leads or encourages ‘fahisha’ and indecency, it too would be considered forbidden.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.103 Narrated by Urwa on the authority of Aisha

On the days of Mina, (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) Abu Bakr came to her while two young girls were beating the tambourine and the Prophet (saws) was lying covered with his clothes. Abu Bakr scolded them and the Prophet (saws) uncovered his face and said to Abu Bakr, "Leave them, for these days are the days of 'Id and the days of Mina."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3154 Narrated by Aisha

I had a girl of the Ansar whom I gave in marriage, and Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Why do you not sing, Aisha, for this clan of the Ansar like singing."

Singing in its essence is neither prohibited nor unlawful in Islam. Provided none of the commands and tenets of Islam are violated, it is permissible in Islam for one to sing, especially on joyous occasions like marriage, Eid, etc. if one wishes to do so.

What determines whether a song or singing is lawful or unlawful is what is said in the songs and whose ears access those songs. The Muaddin (or caller to prayer) chanting the adhaan, or one reciting the Quran in a melodious voice, or the chanting of the ‘talbeeyah’ during pilgrimage, or the chanting of the mujahideen in battle, etc. are not only lawful but highly encouraged and meritorious in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

But if the songs being sung encourage indecency, ‘fahisha’, or glamorize elements of evil, or disbelief, or hypocrisy, or ‘shirk’, etc.; or songs which are sung by women when in the company or presence of non-mehram men; or songs being sung with illegal string music, etc.; then all such songs and all such singing would be deemed prohibited in Islam.

Your Question: I have heard a hadith that the Prophet SAWS has said that there will come a time when people among his Ummah will make liquor, silk (for men), fornication and musical instruments halal. Does this mean that musical instruments are haraam?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.494B Narrated by Abu Amir

that he heard the Prophet (saws) 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, as lawful.”

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3153 Narrated by Muhammad ibn Hatib al-Jumahi

The Prophet (saws) said, "The distinction between what is lawful and what is unlawful is the song and the tambourine at a wedding."

Other then the tambourine like instrument which is played at festive occasions like weddings, etc.; the playing of all other wind and musical instruments are indeed considered ‘haraam’ or unlawful in Islam.

Your Question: And does this also mean that we can`t LISTEN to or SING (with our mouths) any song that were once produced through musical instruments.

If one listens to unlawful music or unlawful songs, one would clearly be in transgression of the boundaries of Allah Subhanah.

Your Question: And is there any Hadith that says we cannot sing new songs that are not exactly praising Allah, but that are not vulgar or dirty in any manner. What about romantic songs and pure love songs that dont involve anything dirty?

What determines whether a song or singing is lawful or unlawful is what is said in the songs and whose ears access those songs. The Muaddin (or caller to prayer) chanting the adhaan, or one reciting the Quran in a melodious voice, or the chanting of the ‘talbeeyah’ during pilgrimage, or the chanting of the mujahideen in battle, etc. are not only lawful but highly encouraged and meritorious in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

But if the songs being sung encourage indecency, ‘fahisha’, or glamorize elements of evil, or disbelief, or hypocrisy, or ‘shirk’, etc.; or songs which are sung by women when in the company or presence of non-mehram men; or songs being sung with illegal string music, etc.; then all such songs and all such singing would be deemed prohibited in Islam.

If one sings a song which do not praise Allah, neither are vulgar or indecent in their essence, songs which neither enjoin the good or forbid the evil….but one sings these songs merely for amusement and pleasure....then one should know the consequence such vain singing of songs produces in one’s hearts:

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4909 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say: ‘Singing (of unlawful songs) produces hypocrisy in the hearts.’

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan