Question

I have read many Ahadith in authentic books according to which music is haram and those involved in it will be thrown in hell. Some scholars also refer to Quranic verses proving that music is forbidden. I will appreciate if you can shed your views according to Quran and Hadith.

Answer

In order to prove that something is haram one must give clear evidence from Quran. We will first try to explain the verse which is generally quoted in support of the evidence against music;

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ وَإِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَاوَلَّى مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًا فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ النَّعِيمِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقًّا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيم

There are some who buy “frivolous talk” so that they, without knowledge, lead men away from the path of God and hold it (i.e. the verses of God) up to ridicule. For these there shall be shameful punishment. When our verses are read out to them they turn their backs in scorn as though they never heard them. As if their ears contained deafness. Proclaim a woeful punishment to them. But those that embrace faith and do good works shall have gardens of delight, where they shall dwell forever. This promise of the Almighty shall be fulfilled and He is the Mighty the Wise One. – Luqman 31:6-9“

According to Imam Razi  the word “Lahw al Hadith“ used in this word means abandoning wisdom and indulging in some other evil talks. (Raazi, al-Tafseer al Kabir25/140).Ibn e Jarir Tabari says “And the correct view in this regard is that these words imply every such activity that can hinder you from the way of God and listening to that which has been prohibited by God and His Messenger. This I say because God has not mentioned any specific things rather He used a comprehensive expression “lahw al Hadith.”

Although there are some companions of prophet(pbuh)who think that “Lahw al Hadith” refers to singing and musical instruments but there is a great deal of difference of opinion in understanding of these narratives. Please spare some time looking at following Ahadith. They will help you understand our point of view;

1: Ayeshah(ra) said: Two female singers were singing songs of battle of Bua’th while Rasullah(sws) came to my house. Rasullah(sws) lay down and turned his face to the other side. Abu Bakr(ra) entered and rebuked me and said that ‘satanic instruments in the presence of Holy prophet sws. On hearing this holy prophet turned towards him and said: let them(sing and rejoice). When Abu Bakr(ra) was engaged in other business I let the girls out. It was on Eid day. (Bukhari 907)

(In the above hadith the word’Jariyah’ is used which could mean young girls but in another version of the same hadith the word ‘Qaynah’ is used which means (professional female singer:Bukhari 3716)

2: Umme salma ra narrates:A slave girl came to us on Eid day. Her hair were unkempt and she carried a tambourine and was singing. Umme Salma rebuked her. But the prophet said to Umme Salma, let her ( sing and rejoice) certainly every nation has a Eid day and this is ours (Mu’jam al-kabir).

3: Narrates Ibn e Abbas: Ayeshah ra arranged the marriage of a close Ansari girl. Holy prophet also came to attend the marriage. He asked the people have you sent forth the bride? ’Yes’they replied. Did you send any singer with her? He asked. Aishah replied in the negative. Holy prophet said that Ansar cherish singing. It would be better that you sent along with her a singer who would sing;

“We have come to you; we have joined you. peace be upon us peace be upon us. (Ibne Majah 1900; Bukhari 4867)

4: Aiyshah ra narrates that when prophet sws arrived in madina women, slave girls and children were singing on Duff. Some slave girls came to prophet and started singing that we are the slave girls of Bani Najjar and how lucky it is that prophet sws has come to our neighbour. At this prophet sws said ‘God knows that how much I love you’(Ibn e Majah 1899)

5: Narrates ‘Rabi’daughter of Mu’waddh.On the occasion of my transfer to my husband’s house after my marriage,prophet sws came to visit us.Some slave girls were singing and beating the Daff saying that’Among us is a prophet who knows what will happen in the coming days’.At this prophet said that;Do not say this,but keep on singing(Bukhari 3779)

6:Ali ra narrates that once holy prophet was passing a tribe of Bani Zariq.He heard sound of music and singing.When he learnt that it was the marriage of someone he expressed his pleasure and said that the religiosity of this person has reached its zenith.This is the prescribed way of nikkah.Prophet did not approve nikkah until the daff was played. He totally disapproved secret nikkah.(Bayhaqqi no 14477)

7:A woman came to prophet sws who he introduced to Ayeshah ra as a female professional singer(The word used in the hadith is Qaynah for professional singer).The singer then sang for Ayeshah ra(Bayhaqqi 8940)

8:Buraidah narrates:prophet(pbuh)returned from an expedition and a slave girl said to him that ‘O Messenger of Allah,i took oath that if Allah returned you safely from this expedition i will beat Duff for you.Prophet(pbuh) said to her:if you have taken an oath then beat it,and if you have not then dont beat it.So she started beating it.Abu Bakr(ra)usman(ra) and Ali(ra)came but she kept on beating the Duff.She stopped when Umar came.(Hadith abridged fromTirmidhi 3690)

9: Black slaves were dancing in the mosque on Eid day. Prophet sws asked Ayeshah ra to watch them. She put her head on his shoulder and watched the performance.(Muslim 892)

As is quite evident from the above Ahadith that prophet(pbuh)never made music or singing haram.Only that music or musical gatherings which promotes crimes of first degree such as polytheism,drinking,vulgarity etc would be considered haram .Music as per se cannot be termed as prohibited,infact, Islam does not prohibit any entertainment as long as it does not have a bad effect on the desired ethical and moral standards of the individuals and as long as one does not become unmidful of his duties towards his creator.

Hope the answer has helped you understand the position of music in Islam

         Regards

        UIUK team