Music in Islam
Narrated Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al Ash'ari (may Allaah be pleased with both of them) that he heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) 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."
[Sahih Al Bukhari : Volume 7 : Book 69 : Number 494v]
This Hadith clearly indicates that the use musical instruments is Haraam, just as illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks are haraam.
Some people defend singing and music by quoting Surah 34, Aayah 10 of the Noble Qur'an. Let us analyse what does this verse say;
"We bestowed Grace aforetime on David from ourselves: "O ye Mountains! Sing ye back the Praises of Allah with him! and ye birds (also)! And We made the iron soft for him"
[Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Abdullah Yusuf Ali writes in his commentary to this verse.
'David had the gift of song and sacred music, and this is shown in his Psalms. All nature-hills and birds-sing and echo back the Praises of Allaah.'
Although the learned scholar has used the words ‘gift of song and sacred music’ here but is evident that it is not the music in the ordinary sense. Infact every thing that sooths the ears and the heart is music. But this is of two types;
(1) that makes man’s heart purified such as listening to the recitation of the Holy Qur'an and poetic verses that sing the glory of the Allaah, and
(2) that allures a person into some sort of negligence.
The ‘sacred music’ attributed to Prophet Dawood (Alayhi salaam) was of the first type while most of the music generally understood from the word ‘music’ falls in the second category.
Also we learn from Ahadith that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) once said to his companion Abu Musa al-Ashri that Allaah has given him the same gift as He gave to Prophet Dawood (Alayhi salaam) and the gift is wind-pipe i.e. a melodious voice. Let me tell you that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) referred only to melodious voice and nothing else. So we can say that Prophet Dawood (Alayhi salaam) only used to recite the verses in his melodious voice which in the literary sense is also 'Music' but there is no proof that he ever used any musical instrument!
To sum up let it be said that the ‘music’ we know today is much different from what is attributed to holy Prophet Dawood (Alayhi salaam) because;
1- He used only to recite the verses, infact the revealed words of Allaah i.e. Zaboor which are in no way comparable to what is uttered in modern day songs,
2- He didn’t use any musical instrument unlike what is done today.
Some people say that Music is permissible in Islam because when Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) arrived at Madinah, the girls of Madinah recited some verse to welcome him and used ‘Daff’ as musical instrument. But even this does not make any sense because;
1- Those who recited the poetic verses were only little girls, not professionals or even ladies
2- They recited only some beautiful poetic verses to praise and welcome the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). What is sung now-a-days can in no way be compared to that.
3- The only thing used was ‘Daff’ which is different from usual drum because it is closed from only one side and does not produce the voice that allures a person.
4- It was Holy Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) first ever interaction with the general public from Madinah. They had not yet received any detailed commandments from him.
Another argument usually presented in favour of music is that allegedly some Muslim Saints allowed Qawwali, which has got music as an essential part of it. Lets analyze it;
1- We, the Muslims, are only to obey Allaah and His Final Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
2- All the Imams of Fiqh agree that 'Music is Haraam in Islam' without any exception of this thing called Qawwali.
3- Yes, the Scholars and the Saints are all very very respectable but we are to follow them as long as they guide us in the light of Qur'an and Sunnah.
As Qawwali is not proved from Qur'an or Sunnah, thus it is itself in trouble then how can it help other forms of Music?
Most of the scholars rule that only ‘Daff’ is permissible to be used as an instrument while reciting/singing poetic verses especially at the eve of Marriage. Most of the Scholars also maintain that reciting poetic verses that are free from sensual words and are purposeful is permissible, definitely without music!
Indeed Allaah knows the Best & May He help us all find the truth.
