Sami Yusuf

[Xaxerian]

.

I adore the beautiful nausheeds of our noble brother Sami Yusuf, but I am finding it quite difficult to get full length and downloadable versions of his wonderful songs. Can anyone be so kind enough as to help me out?

Sami Yusuf's official website: [www.samiyusuf.com].

A brief biography : [Sami Yusuf was born in the month July 1980. He was born into a musical family of Azeri origin and thus music played an integral part in his life. Sami’s initial training came from his father, who is an internationally renowned composer, poet, and a multitalented musician.

Sami learnt to play several instruments at a very young age and gradually began to show a keen interest in singing and composing. At the age of eighteen, he obtained a scholarship to study composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London, one of the world most prestigious music institutions.

Sami has been composing from a very young age and his beautiful voice is supplemented by his extensive knowledge of notes and harmonies. He has also a good understanding of music theory and the Middle Eastern modes (or Maqams).

Indeed, it is rare to find a person who has all these talents. Sami is also a devout practicing Muslim who sees songs as a means of promoting the message of Islam and encouraging the youth to be proud of their religion and identity.]

[786]

I think the point is that you listen to the online samples and then purchase the complete CD - Al-Mualim etc so that he gets recompense for his efforts. After all he is not running a charity and it would be unfair to pirate his work... all the time!

I agree with you his work are of very high quality. I'm a little unsure about some instruments used in some nasheeds but I hope that he has had them verified before use as halaal. His nasheeds make a refreshing change from the dodgy r&b and pop trash we get everywhere else that goes on mainly about sex.

[Mariah]

I agree with you his work are of very high quality. I'm a little unsure about some instruments used in some nasheeds but I hope that he has had them verified before use as halaal.

hmm i duno, it seems more than just the duff to me, especially on Allahu... indian tabla hey? dont know how halaal that is

wassalam

[Saleel]

Okay, I'm gonna be a bit controversial here... why is that same bio plastered everywhere Sami Yusuf is to make an appearance or something? Is it just me, or would most Muslims actually feel a bit embarassed if all of that was ascribed to them? I can't see it as being something to be proud of, surely? "At the tender age of just 11, our noble brother commited his first session of zinna. He was born as an illegitimate child, and thus zinna is part of his heritage. Our brother learnt to guzzle down many pints of beer at a very young age, and gradually began to show a keen interest in the fine art of brewery and fermentation. His father is an internationally known drugs-barron. His mother can be found roaming the corners of London roads late at night." (completely fictional, doesn't apply to anyone in particular. Crude example, but hopefully gets my point across?)

We all know zinna, alcohol, drugs, etc. are haraam, why are we so lax with music?

[786]

A bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut approach.

Sure enough there is no doubt that music is haraam but there are opinions of some respected ulema that say certains instruments and songs are permitted and we shouldnt belittle them even if our own sheikh disagree. There is a space for disagreement in the Furu' of the deen but it is not for the unlearned to opine.

[Saleel]

Hmm, okay perhaps a bit OTT. But sometimes a smack-in-the-face, blunt, up-front, crude, -ifying etc. approach is required. I apologise on any account.

There is a space for disagreement in the Furu' of the deen but it is not for the unlearned to opine.

I absolutely agree... but this topic has come up so many times in other places, and I've never come across any reliable opinion stating that the level of instruments Sami Yusuf uses is permissible. Some concession has been made by some ulema with regards to the duff, and as you and Sidi Faraz Rabbani commonly say, we shouldnt belittle them even if our own Shaykhs disagree, but I have not come across any reliable opinions which go beyond the duff. Wallahu Alam.

And also to point out, even the duff is considered not permissible by the majority.

[Xaxerian]

.

The lyrics of Sami Yusuf depict many a respect and compassion for the Prophet Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon his noble soul, and great love for Islam. His songs inspire many a journeying Muslim, and brings the Believer closer to His Creator. The diverse instruments Yusuf uses to portray the great nature of his music further signifies great emotion, which is very hard indeed to express.

As I live in Bangladesh, it is not possible for me to obtain CDs of Sami Yusuf. Therefore the nature of my request.

[Garden]

I have not come across any reliable opinions which go beyond the duff.

Assalamu 'alaikum,

Ok, this thread is bound to end up in the debates forum...

Imam Ghazali in his Ihya stated that instruments with nice sounds should not be forbidden any more than the voices of singing birds etc, except those that are clearly associated with prohibited things.

now here's an interesting definition of music:
the art and science of combining vocal and instrumental sounds so as to form a wide variety of structurally, aesthetically and emotianlly satisfying expressions.

the ulema have never regarded this definition of music as haram without associating it with disapproved types of behaviour

a broad and unbiased study of the role of music in the muslim world will shed more light on what exactly are permissible vs impermissible uses of music.

the following chart illustrates the uses of music in the muslim world and their generally accepted ruling.

================ THE STATUS OF MUSIC IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD ==================

*************************** LEGITIMATE (HALAL) *****************************
1. QURANIC CHANT [qir'ah]
2. CALL TO PRAYER [adhan]
3. PILGRIMAGE CHANTS [telbiyyah]
4. EUOLOGY CHANTS [madih, na't, tahimd, etc]
5. CHANTED POETRY WITH NOBLE THEMES [shi'r]
6. FAMILY AND CELEBRATION MUSIC [lubllabies, wedding Songs, etc]
7. OCCUPATIONAL MUSIC [caravan chants, shepher'ds tunes, work song, etc]
8. MILITARY BAND MUSIC [table khanah]
Note: 1. - 5. are technically not considered music in the Islamic definition

****************************** CONTROVERSIAL ******************************

9. VOCAL/INSTRUMENTAL IMPROVISATIONS [taqasim, layali, qasidah, avaz, etc.]
10. SERIOUS METERED SONGS [huwashah, dawr, tasnif, batahyi, etc.]
11. MUSIC RELATED TO PRE-ISLAMIC OR NON-ISLAMIC ORIGINS

********************************* HARAM ***********************************
12. SENSUOUS MUSIC

to sum up, the ulema who consider music permissible maintain that listening to or performing music, like tasting delicious foods, feeling soft cloths, smelling pleasant odors, seeing beautiful sights etc are all instinctive pleasures with which God has endowed man. so long as these pleasures are kept in moderation and do not lower one's spiritual state, there is no harm in them.

Source: Music-Halal or Haram? by Lois Lamya Al-Faruqi, Season's Journal.

added later:
it's not surprising that sami yusuf comes from a family of "musicians". wholesome music is an islamic art form that traces back many generations.

some relevant quotes:

“Despite the reserve felt by the most strict theologians, the traditional music cultivated in Muslim lands is an authentically Muslim art capable not only of bringing about the most exalted aesthetic pleasure , but, by virtue of structure and symbolism which transform it into a kind of audible arabesque, of elevating and calming the soul, and fixing it on the recollection of the One.”

Taken from “Unveiling Islam” a book translated by Shaikh Abdal Hakim Murad.

“One of the ways in which sound was made use of by the religious in classical Islam was in the treating of illnesses, particularly mental illnesses. If you go to what's left of traditional Ottoman hospitals today you can see that there were often quite splendid chambers which were for the performance of chamber music. The doctor would bring in the mental patient and his symptoms would be described to the musicians, and they would play or they would sing a particular mode or type of music that would untie the knots in his soul, as they put it, or possibly chase out the demons that were inhabiting that person.

This is a tradition that continues until today. It's a particular genre of Islamic music that is specifically for the healing of mental disorders and for the settling of people who have been traumatized by war or bereavement. To this day in Turkey there are ensembles and you can even buy their music on CD, who specialize in the traditional art of healing souls.”

Shaikh Abdal Hakim Murad on BBC Radio 4, Sounding the Divine.

[Xaxerian]

.

If you want to discuss about music in Islam, why not start another thread altogether? Neater the arrangement, better the result - my motto.

[Mariah]

.

The lyrics of Sami Yusuf depict many a respect and compassion for the Prophet Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon his noble soul, and great love for Islam. His songs inspire many a journeying Muslim, and brings the Believer closer to His Creator. The diverse instruments Yusuf uses to portray the great nature of his music further signifies great emotion, which is very hard indeed to express.

As I live in Bangladesh, it is not possible for me to obtain CDs of Sami Yusuf. Therefore the nature of my request.

hmmm but think of it this way, two contradictory acts dont make something correct as theres only one truth, so the praise of the prophet and Allah may be correct but the music aint so whats the point? u still get sinned? its like praying salah with stolen clothes? your salah aint counted.

wassalam