On music

[Mossy]

You don't evaluate Islamic law on the basis of hadith alone bro. Look to what the scholars have said on this one.

A naive reading would also deem silk to be lawful, but we know it's not (for half the people in the world..).. Just look at things like post 3 in this thread where the positions of some scholars on that hadith have been referenced..

[seeker]

Waalaikum Assalam brother,

I would go with Mufti Ebrahim Desai. Those who want to listen will try to make it lawful. No use arguing. This is my last post for this thread.

http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=7720

One more thing, brother Mossy, here is the ayat you asked for:

Almighty Allah Taãla says in the Noble Qurãn: ‘And there are some people who purchase idle talk… for them is a severe punishment’. Ibn Masóod (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) says that this verse was revealed regarding singing.

[haqq]

I found an interesting Article regarding Imam Ghazali (ra) and music.

MUSIC AND THE SHARIAH

Modernists have recently churned up a lot of dust in a bid to confuse Muslims regarding Islam’s prohibition of music. Entirely bereft of any Shar’i evidence for the claim of permissibility of music, the wayward modernists whose very Imaan is questionable, have resorted to the blindest form of taqleed in their desperate attempt to find some such justification for music, which could be surreptitiously tendered as Shar’i evidence to ignorant and unsuspecting Muslim lay people.

The blindest taqleed, devoid of all rationality in view of their vituperous criticism of the sacred and intelligent Taqleed of the Aimmah-e-Mujtahideen by the entire Ummah of Islam from the very inception of this Deen fourteen centuries ago, is to cite isolated views and in any case, misunderstood and distorted views, of some Islamic personality who appeared on the horizon many centuries after Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the Khairul Quroon (the Three noblest Ages) era. For example, the modernist deviates are at pains —real labour pains — when they cite Imaam Ghazaali (rahmatullah alayh) who appeared five centuries after Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Quoting him out of context; presenting wrongly translated statements from his kitaabs and ignoring the apparent conflict between such statements and the clear and categoric Ahaadith of prohibition of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), the modernist pat themselves on the back in the mistaken and stupid belief that they have proved the permissibility of the kabeerah and satanic sin of music.

They seek to conceal and ignore the mass of Shar’i evidence which proscribe music in favour of the opinion of a solitary Aalim of the Deen who appeared centuries after Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Even if Imaam Ghazaali (rahmatullah alayh) had ruled that music is permissible —which he did not —it is ludicrous to cite his views in negation of the Nusoos (categoric Ahaadith) of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the rulings and views of the illustrious Shaabah of Nabi (sallahu alaihi wasallam).

Furthermore, Imaam Ghazaali (rahmatullah alayh) was a junior in comparison to the Aimmah Mujtahideen and even in relation to the Fuqaha-e-Mutakh-khireen (the Jurists of the third and fourth centuries) who are junior to the Aimmah-e-Mujtahideen and the Fuqaha of the first epoch of Islam —those Fuqaha who were the Students of the Sahaabah. It is absolutely ridiculous to cite Imaam Ghazaali in an attempt to negate the rulings of the Aimmah-e-Mujtahideen of the Four Math-habs. Since fools rush in where angels dread to tread, the modernist ignoramuses are unable to understand their own stupidity in presenting the views of Imaam Ghazaali in refutation of what Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), his Sahaabah and the Fuqaha of Islam have maintained.

These modernist miscreants and misguided souls refute the Taqleed of Stars of Uloom such as Imaam Abu Hanifah and the other Aimmah Mujtahideen. Yet they expect the Ummah to adopt the the blindest of all taqleed, viz, the taqleed of someone who is nowhere near the calibre of the Aimmah whose Taqleed is Waajib. In fact, in the hierarchy of the Ulama of the Shariah, Imaam Ghazaali (rahmatullah alayh) is a fourth class ranking Aalim.

The greatest injustice which the modernists commit is their attempt to convince Muslims that they have to make taqleed of Imaam Ghazaali, and that too, in only one mas’alah — the mas’alah of music, which they in their jahaalat (compound ignorance) believe that Imaam Ghazaali has made lawful. On the assumption that he did say that music is lawful, then his ruling will be set aside or a suitable interpretation will be offered to negate his ruling. His ruling cannot be cited in negation of the mass of authentic Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) proscribing music, nor in refutation of the rulings of the Sahaabah, nor in refutation of the unanimous rulings of the Fuqaha of all Four Math-habs.

In this brief article it will suffice to state the ruling of the Shariah. In the unanimous view of the entire Ummah, from the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) until this day, music has always been haraam. Regardless of what kind of music it may be and regardless of the method and instrument of production, music is haraam. It is hoped that the Ulama will prepare a book elaborately presenting all the evidences of the Shariah for the prohibition of music.

from: AWAKE - To the call of Islam 1425
By: Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa
Published by: YMMA - South Africa

[Mossy]

Waalaikum Assalam brother,

I would go with Mufti Ebrahim Desai. Those who want to listen will try to make it lawful. No use arguing. This is my last post for this thread.

http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=7720

One more thing, brother Mossy, here is the ayat you asked for:

Almighty Allah Taãla says in the Noble Qurãn: ‘And there are some people who purchase idle talk… for them is a severe punishment’. Ibn Masóod (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) says that this verse was revealed regarding singing.

Sigh.. Singing being the same as musical instruments?

Again, there isn't consensus on this lil bit of tafsir (seems closer to lahw, non?).

I respect the opinion of Mufti Desai. I respect the opinion of the various ulema.

I respect the diversity of opinion that exists within this body.

The diversity of qualified opinion and mutual respect.

You should too.

In this brief article it will suffice to state the ruling of the Shariah. In the unanimous view of the entire Ummah, from the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) until this day, music has always been haraam. Regardless of what kind of music it may be and regardless of the method and instrument of production, music is haraam. It is hoped that the Ulama will prepare a book elaborately presenting all the evidences of the Shariah for the prohibition of music.

See, that's why statements like this really bug me. If you can't be exact in your pronouncements, you should be quiet instead of misreporting the deen.

[Muawiyah]

I think there's sufficient evidence for saying that listening to musical instruments is forbidden in the Quraan. I think when we have such evidence, we should refrain from listening to music and not base our actions on the shadh fiqhi positions, this is my sincere advice as a layman.

[analyzing]

I agree with brother Muawiyah. But brother Muawiyah you must realize that the hadees mentioned by brother Seeker cleary states that there would be people who would try to make Alcohol, Silk, Adultery, and Musical Instruments LAWFUL. So why waste time. Musical Instruments were declared Haraam with ALCOHOL and ADULTERY. Brother Mossy came up with a poor example on the previous page regarding sex which shows lack of knowledge. Oh well, don't feel like wasting my time in this thread.

[Mossy]

The example of sex was to illustrate why it's bad form to say "music is haram"..

This is the position that seems most reasonable to me on the matter (this is from a qualified scholar):

> Now, my question is not so much about music, as I have heard
> many sides, and understand the dominant opinion (ie no strings and
> winds etc.) However my question is this: If Islam was established in
> Medina, (and elsewhere) and instruments were actually Haram (as
> opposed to disapproved of as distractions from more important duties
> as Ibn Khaldun I think felt) why would they be openly used?

The fact of the matter is that the prohibition on music was not as clearly
laid down by the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) or the
early scholars in Madinah as, for instance, the prohibition on wine and
gambling. This is why the issue of Music will never be properly resolved
on the whole by the scholars of our din unlike the issue for eating pork
for instance.

Ibn `Ajibah writes in his explanation of al-Mabahith al-Asliyah:

"This issue [of musical instruments] is one of [much] disagreement
as no clear primary text has come from the Legislator - and all
affairs are mubah by default until a [clear] prohibition is found. And
[the fact of the matter is that] listening to musical instruments was
not declared unlawful until the idle [wrong-doing] folk took it up
and linked it with drinking wine and fornicating...

[It has been narrated that] a scholar (who condoned [certain] musical
instruments) in the presence of Caliph Harun Rashid said, 'I
attended a wedding feast in Madinah in which the scholars attended.
[There were so many singers at this wedding] that if the house were
to collapse, no singer would remain in Madinah. And the smallest
of the [condoning] scholars present was Imam Malik ibn Anas. So,
they sang [and a man] had a mizhar [i.e. a musical instrument (probably
a tambourine)]; so, they sang [with it] and uttered nasheeds."

[IH: volume 1: page 287: line(s) 28-29: {explanation of verse 202
of the Mabahith}]

Now in the above excerpt, other Maliki scholars could have interpreted
mizhar as applying to other than a tambourine.

Meh, it's all been said in this thread, look through and you'll see the lack of ijma on the topic. eg:

Sallamu Alaikum

Adherance to the Majority is not in rulings of Fiqh, otherwise the concept of Ikthilaf would be genuinely void. However, although i do not agree with Music and nor do i endorse it, it is only fair to note that there have been scholars - in the past and present - that have allowed it and who have based their evidence on Hadith. Take Imam Muhammad Abu Zahra for example, or Sayyid Al Nas whose book contains proofs of 180 companions who used to write poetry in praise of the Prophet with Musical instruments or Maulana Rumi and the great Sultan Al Awliya Shaikh Izz Ad Din. The great Sufi Hanafi Faqih if Damascus, Shaykh Abdul Ghani Nablusis book Idaah al Dalaalaat fi Samaa` Al Aalaat is really one the most authoritative and precise work to date on this issue in which he lists the examples of numerous Sahabas playing instruments or having it played to them. Also i should not fail to mention Imam Dhahabis Siyar Al Ulum that the MAdhab of the people of people of Medina was the allowance of Musical instruments.

The rule is: "Do not leave what the Umma concurred on keeping, do not keep what the Umma concurred on leaving, and in between one may keep or leave." The Umma did NOT deicde on prohibiting musical instruments as a whole so to say it is "Jahilliya" if one doesnot abide by a ruling that may well seem to be the majority is ignorance on ones part.

Note: I take the opinion that music is Haram.

Wallahu A'lam

Comme ca.

[analyzing]

The fact of the matter is that the prohibition on music was not as clearly
laid down by the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace)

Are you kidding me ??????????? What about these sayings of the Prophet (S.A.W) ?????

* Hadhrat Ibn Mas’ood (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) declared every wine, gambling, beating of drums and every intoxicant as Haraam. (Abu Dawud)

* Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) prohibited the beating of drums. (Kanzul Ummaal)

* The Kubah (drum) is Haraam. (Bayhaqi; Musnad Bazzar)

These Ahaadith are general and prohibit the beating of the drum. Those who claim that the beating of drums is permissible generally use the Hadith wherein it is reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Announce the Nikah even though it be with the Duff.’ (Mishkat)

In another narration, it is reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed by little girls who were beating drums. (Ibn Maajah)

However, to use these Ahaadith to substantiate the beating of drums as a musical instrument is baseless. The beating of drums on the occasions was for the purpose of announcement of a Nikah or the arrival of somebody or the sighting of the moon. There is no evidence whatsoever that drums were used merely for ‘entertainment’. Rather it is reported that when Umar (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) heard the sound of beating drums, he would send a person to inspect the occasion. If it was a Nikah (which was being announced by means of the drum) he would keep quite. Otherwise, he would punish those involved. (Fathul Qadeer)

In contemporary times there is no need to use the drum to announce any occasion, nor is it used for such purposes. In these times, it is used commonly as a musical instrument. The use of the drum as a musical instrument is expressly forbidden as has been clearly ascertained from the Ahaadith mentioned in the beginning. Also, music itself is expressly forbidden in Deen. Allah Ta’ala says:

* Almighty Allah Taãla says in the Noble Qurãn: ‘And there are some people who purchase idle talk… for them is a severe punishment’. Ibn Masóod (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) says that this verse was revealed regarding singing.

* Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Allah ordered me to destroy musical instruments.’

* Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'People from my Ummat will drink wine and give it other names and singing girls and musical instruments will be played before them. Allah will cause the earth to swallow them, and disfigure their faces into apes and pigs.’

* Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) mentioned, ‘When singing girls and musical instruments becomes common, wait for red winds, earthquakes, the earth swallowing people, disfiguring and many more punishments.’ (Mishkãt 470)

In the light of the above, it is not permissible to hear Islamic songs having the sound of beating drums in the background.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

[IlyasLahoz]

assalamu 'alaikum,
I hate to interject in this 'discussion' but I think, inshaAllah, this might be useful.
Whatever one's shaykh has taught, the fact is that there is ikhtilaf on the subject.
Those of us who have resorted to primary sources to "prove" that the difference among the scholars is invalid, may have crossed the line into that dreadful territory known as false salafism.
Why not just accept that some qualified scholars disagree with one's own and respect our brothers' right to make taqlid of whomever they choose.

Remember: my shaykh is not better than yours he is just better for me.
wallahu 'alam.
wasalamu 'alaikum

[someone]

Assalam o Alaikum,

I think this thread should be locked as It has enough explanations from both sides.

My opinion on Musical Instruments -> It's Haraam.

Let's not aruge.

Allah Hafiz.