asalaamu alaikum wa rahmetullahi wa barakatuh,

jazakallah khair for sharing bro.

“The Quran of Allah and the Quran of Shaytan can not coexist in the same heart”. I know this statement is true from experience. The way I listen to the Quran now, is amazingly different than the way I listened to it when I listened to music.

I went through the same issue of giving up music in college. Once I learned it was haraam, and I didn’t find the minority opinion strong, I decided it was time to chuck it. Literally.

I took all my CDs and cassette tapes (was still making Mix Tapes in the late 90s, lol) and chucked them at our masjid wall (on the outside, it was made of brick, and I lived there, everyone knew me, so no biggie). It was symbolic to me for Islam destroying music! Then napster came out and long story short, it took two more tries to finally give it up.

One of the excuses that pulled me in once before when I gave it up was when driving back and forth from school to home – a three hour drive, and without music, I’d fall asleep, so I’d listen to music only the car so that I wouldn’t die (talk about abusing daroorah). The final time I gave up music, it was still a concern because I needed something to fill that time, especially since I had given up movies as well at that time (lots of music, women, illicit scenes, and undesirable ideas made normal).

Qur’aanic recitation was not my thing at the time, didn’t know anything about no Bukhatir, and Islamic lectures put me to sleep on the road. That’s when I started looking on the AM Dial for something and found neo-con talk radio. Man, I used to get so angry at those guys, I’d be yelling in my car at the host (Sean Hannity has a special place in my heart), and that’s where my own personal interest in politics began.

Fast forward six years later, I now do a mix of talk radio, Qur’aan, Islamic talks, and an occasional nasheed in the car. Sometimes, I just won’t listen to anything and will drive with nothing but my own thoughts to keep me awake =P Alhamdulillaah, by getting rid of music, movies, and television, I’ve been able to portion out that mental free time, so to speak, towards either being rewarded or learning more about the world around me, getting out of the collective cluenessless that most people live in regarding business and politics.

Siraaj

assalaamu ‘alaykum,
i’m sure there are lots of us who can relate to this story. alhamdulillah its been 8 years since i deleted the gigs of mp3s from my hard drive and destroyed all my cds and tapes and i haven’t really looked back since. since then alhamdulillah i’ve memorized about 21 juz. but the greater struggle for me was giving up movies. i quit a few times, only to get tempted back again, and it wasn’t until i was getting ready to be married that i was able to give them up for good as i didn’t want them to be part of my household. not to say i’ve never been tempted but i would try to overcome those moments by watching an episode of something more innocent like samurai jack, dexter’s lab or top gear:)
i did find it useful in my efforts in giving up something to substitute it with something better. movies can be quite as addictive as music perhaps even more so. unfortunately i’ve seen quite a few brothers who masha Allaah seem very practising, follow all the outward sunnahs, yet have large flat screen tvs at home and don’t feel any inhibitions about watching tv or movies. seems like quite a paradox to me.
wallhul must’aan.

I used to be an avid Piano player. It was my life and passion. If you saw me walking down the road you’d see me fluttering my fingers in the air trying to find a new interpretation to a Chopin Balade or a Beethoven Sonata(YOU’D THINK I WAS CRAZY).

If I am honest, I DIDN’T EVEN MAKE THE INTENTION TO QUIT. I simply began memorizing, reciting, listening to the Quran. And right when my parents bought for me a brand new $4000 Piano, I had fallen deeply in love with the Quran. Add to that – the company of good people who you feel guilty playing music arround and oualaa, you’ve quit

I still hope for a reward from Allah despite my lack of intention. I could never have imagined giving it up. There is still some purification left, but I still love the quran waaaaaaaaaaay more than the 2 mins of music I might listen to here and there.

i cant do neocon radio. its espn radio for me

Heh, by listening to them repeatedly, I now know their arguments better than their followers, and have had time to contemplate the many inherent weaknesses and inconsistencies. It also has also given me better control over myself when I read the heinous things they write and say.

But yeah, ESPN during commercial breaks is what I do as well – I find out all the stats and results without having sat through 3 hours of the sport itself. These days, I always feel uncomfortable sitting through a game – I always feel like a lot of time got wasted.

Siraaj

There’s no question that listening to and studying the Qur’an can be more beneficial than listening to or studying music. And although I do not know the arguments that make listening to music haram, I wonder. That is, I wonder not about music whose lyrics are damaging to the heart but whose lyrics might be about good, about Islam, about Allah. In particular, I wonder how music can be prohibited when divorce is permitted. As stated in Abu-Dawud (12:2173):

“Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Of all the lawful acts the most detestable to Allah is divorce.”

Divorce is “detestable” to Allah. Yet it is permitted. And although music may affect your heart, does not divorce affect it more? We could ask, Is your heart attached to Allah or to divorce? If music and the Qur’an are “mutually exclusive and cannot coexist in one’s heart,” how much more so divorce and the Qur’an.

And also in the hadiths, we read,

“You will not believe as long as you do not love one another”
(Muslim 1: 96) and “No man is a true believer unless he wants for his brother that which he wants for himself” (Bukhari 1:12).

Obviously, divorce occurs due to a lack of love for one’s spouse, to a lack of wanting for one’s spouse what one wants for him/herself, to a hardness of the heart that prevents true belief and faith. No wonder divorce is detestable to Allah! And yet it is permitted.

So, yes, the Qur’an is more beneficial than music. But it is not so clear that music is as detestable to Allah as divorce is or as harmful as divorce is. And if divorce is permitted, then why not music that supports one’s religion?

Or another way of sayiimg it is are musical instruments prohibited regardless of their context?
In this case there maybe some ikhtilaaf…Allah (swt) knows best

There is no ikhtiliaf among the 4 madhhabs. All 4 madhhabs are in complete agreement that musical instruments are haraam, regardless of the lyrics. There is an odd and extremely minor opinion that allows musical instruments, in the Dhahiri madhhab (a basically extinct madhhab) that allows musical instruments, and this opinion has been resurrected in contemporary times by scholars such as Sh. Yusuf Qaradawi (hafidhahullah) as well as the scholar you mentioned above. However, outside of the dhahiriyya and a handful of modern-day scholars, the ulama of Islaam are unanimously agreed that musical instruments are haraam. The opinion that musical instruments are permissible is not mainstream by any stretch.

In an AlMaghrib class held at NYC (I believe it was Love Notes), Sh. Yaser Birjas was asked about this opinion of the Dhahiriyya (that musical instruments are permissible)… his response was (I’m paraphrasing him): “Yes, this is the opinion of the Dhahiriyyah, and if you want to follow that, fine… but then you better follow the Dhahiri madhhab in full (which contains many many rulings much stricter than the mainstream).”

Besides, unless someone is a scholar or student of knowledge, I don’t think they’d even have the ability to follow the Dhahiri madhhab, since there are virtually no pure Dhahiri scholars out there today, so one wouldn’t even really have access to the rulings (unless you are a student of knowledge, then I suppose you could pick up Al-Muhalla or other works of Ibn Hazm RH, and take it from there yourself :) )

Wa Allahu a’lam!

Also that work by al-Kanadi is incomplete as he died before completing it.

I’m confused because if you follow that Dhahiri opinion –why do you have to follow the whole school of thought? Taqlid or not to taqlid? What about Fiqh us-Sunnah? :P

Well, unless you are a student of knowledge that possesses the ability to make ittiba’ (or a scholar that possesses the ability to make ijtihad), you follow a scholar, committee or scholars, or a madhhab (which entails, following a scholar or committee of scholars from that madhhab). But, in any case, if you are a lay person (as most of us are… minus our resident shuyukh :) ), there needs to have a sound methodology for doing taqlid. Fiqh usSunnah provides a sound methodology, and even though it is comparative fiqh, I remember learning that it is essentially based on the Shafi’i madhhab.

Simply picking the Dhahiri opinion on music in isolation… because of… well… I guess, desires… is just that: following one’s desires.

Rulings set aside, anything that holds an addictive quality doesn’t seem good for the heart, and music is seriously an addictive drug.

This I know because when I deleted all the music off my laptop and iPod one day, I was rolling on my floor crying in pain because I was devastated by what I had done. I went through *withdrawl* afteward.

It’s like a drug in more way than one: it can take you out of your current situation in life and make you “feel better” it can also make you “feel sad” based on the lyrics, rhythms and beats. It’s played at parties to “set the mood” like it’s a social drug (like alcohol)

Sometimes I think that people who try to quit listening to music need support groups, I know I need one.

I remember Yusuf Estes said that music is a stimulant, it is no different than an intoxication. That’s why it makes one feel different or inspires some extreme emotion. It is no different than drugs, and it is used as an escape a long with video games and movies. The beauty of Islam is that it teaches us the clear reality of life and gives us the opportunity to make our everyday lives so beautiful that we don’t need to escape somewhere. I remember in high school people used to ask me why I don’t drink alcohol, and I just said – I just don’t need to. That got me thinking as to why people really turn to drugs, alcohol, music, movies, video games, and other intoxications. I really believe its because they are just trying to escape the harshness of their lives, which tells us that most of these people are desperately crying out for Islam – they just don’t know it yet.

the other ruling Sheikh Yaser mentioned in Love notes in NYC was that Dhariyyah believes its FARDH for men to offer all their prayers in MASJID, so follow that as well..picking and choosing from Madahibs for ease is kufr (i paraphrased it)

I think givin up completely is extremely hard, given that it’s all around us….you really have to become desensitized to Music. That’s what happened to me over time, whether there’s music around me or not, it don’t get the urge to really listen to it.

Bismillah ArRahman ArRaheem

Giving up music completely is actually not hard: Get rid of your music Cassettes/CDs/MP3s and do not keep a TV set in your house (or, if you can’t control that, at least don’t watch TV). After that, if you hear music in the mall, etc., it is not your fault and you will Insha-Allah earn no sin if you do not aprove of it. What is harder is to not relapse into the old habits again, but even that becomes easy with Allah’s tawfeeq.

I am making this observation here so that those Muslims who are contemplating giving it up are not discouraged. It is a matter of taking one big leap, and anyone can do it, with Allah’s help. If someone is at a stage where they do want to give it up but can’t quite muster the courage yet, they should at least pray to Allah to help them make the leap and keep them steadfast thereafter. There is no tax on prayer.

Assalam Aalykum,

Good article, mashallah. After I quit music the peace and content that settled over my heart was amazing, subhanallah. It affected me in my daily acts of worship, and quitting music for the sake of Allah really helps in increasing your imaan and cleaning your heart. Alhamdulilah.

Can we have a lecture called the end of movies? More brothers are attached to cinema than music…

wa ‘alaykum assalam observation
i’m sorry you found what i said offensive. i didn’t mean to be judging anyone. what i meant was that i find it paradoxical that some people don’t see anything wrong with watching movies or tv shows yet profess to be following the sunnah. comitting a sin is something human, but doing it openly and without qualms is dangerous. its not that i doubt their sincerity, and inshaa Allaah, Allaah will judge them according to the best of their deeds. but i feel this is one of the contradictions and confusion our ummah is going through. we seek refuge with Allaah from the accursed shaytan.

I was a little harsh with the condemn word,…ok, so any holy verses indicating that he was at fault at singing, because there are some verses regarding he did wrong some where else?…

P.S. Before watching that movie I also thought like you that it is farse and the arguments given are wrong, but after seeing it for myself things were much clearer, again watch it first , then critisize all you want.

The Quran CD helped though, and alhamdulillah I was finally able to memorize Surah al-A’laa which had been a dream of mine since childhood. For some reason I always liked listening to the last 2 ayaat, and remember them being recited often in Isha and in Ramadan at the masjid. It was also at this point, the longest surah I had ever memorized, and it gave me motivation to push forward even more (may Allah(swt) enable all of us to memorize the Quran). I decided drastic action was in order.

SubhanAllah! The very first surah I memorized by myself was Surah alA’laa because of the exact same reason! The hafiz saab at Islamic Foundation in Villa Park used to recite this surah at witr when I was younger and I always loved the exact last 2 ayahs. I took me a month to memorize Surah alA’laa but it was worth it.

even classical (but maybe not country).

Except for that one time on the way to TDC Saqib ;) hehe

Bismillah
SubhanAllah, although I stopped listening to music years ago after reading Brother Bilal al-Kanadi’s book, I still hope to be able to enjoy it in Jannah (if, insha Allah, i get there)
I have spoken with many, many sisters about this and very few of them have entirely extinguished the love of music from their hearts (could be to do with the fact that we’re all of African ancestry :)). Although none of us listen to it or have any doubts about its prohibition, it remains one of those things we love but have given up for the sake of Allah, I pray that He rewards us for that because He knows how deep and important a part of us it once was.

May Allah make us strong as this life is but a test…

I don’t think we need another reason… but you get the point:

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_22734.aspx

salam…

I am glad someone finally wrote what I’ve felt and continue to feel about this whole issue of listening to music. Good reflection, and very accurate !

clean shaven hairy Indian with 12 silver teeth back in ’98

hahaha wow that’s amazing. so you still have those silver teeth?

This is a great discussion on a topic for some reason not very well understood by majority. Look at any ethnicity in the Muslim Ummah, you will find music (and dancing) deeply imbedded and not only that, not many have gone there but listening to qawwali’s for people of the sub-continent is very popular, but many Qawwals although they use only the drum and harmonium, their lyrics contain shirk.
And I say majority of the Musllim ummah, go to the Muslim countries and you will see billboards advertising movies and variety shows.
It is only when Allah, swt gives hidaya, like in many of the experiences noted above, that we get the understanding that it is haram. But if the hidaya has not come, we will try to justify our love for the music in thousand different ways.
May Allah, swt give hidaya to all
PS. I have 15 pieces of harmonica, that I used to love to play, I was very good at it, but have not touched for more than ten years, but need to diispose of them one of these days. I guess we all have something in our closets.

I understand that alot of Muslims listen to Music, but is it really that important when we have Muslims dying, suffering, marrying inpermissible partners, killing, and we are focused on guitars and Mcdonalds cheeseburgers? I think we need to wake up and save ourselves and our families.

Nasir Muzaffar,

There is a difference between Hubb Taba’ee (love that comes from a person’s natural inclination) and Hubb Aqalee (love that is based on reason). Some of the Masha’ikh (like shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi) have written extensively emphasizing the distinction between the two. The base minimum that the Shar’ia requires is to hate evil things by one’s mind, even if one’s heart is attracted to them. If a person is striving to give up Music, it seems a strong indication that they have acquired a reasoned dislike of this thing based on what they know of its prohibition in the Shari’ah. If their heart still pines for indulging in it, they will Insha-Allah not be taken to account for it, since this feeling is not in their control. In fact, they may have a greater reward for giving it up due to the increased Mujahada (struggle) thier soul goes through. Of course, it is a perfection of Eemaan if even their base feelings are in line with the rules of Islamic law, but if they just avoid something for the sake of Allah and accept intellectually that it is indded bad for them despite all its apparent allure–just because Allah has told them so, and they have believed–then they are fulfilling the basic requirement.

Even in my personal life, there are some Haraam things that if I were to learn that they were actually Halaal, it would please me and I would go back to doing them. But right now, since I do know that they are Haraam, I regard them as objectionable and try to not indulge in them, and find the prospect of indulging in them very uncomfortable–purely on rational grounds (by rationality I do not mean Greek Philosophy or Greek Ethics, but a rational awareness of the dictates of the sacred Shari’ah).

Shirtman,

The woes of the Ummah stem from its having strayed from the straight path. I doubt if even two right-minded Muslims would disagree about this. So a call to turn back from disobedience to obedience, and from sinning to repenting has everything to do with improving the condition of the Ummah. It is THE long-term cure, but is not contradictory to taking short-term measures as well, such as fighting for Muslims’ legal rights in a certain land. We need, as an Ummah, to be doing both. If anything, the inner reformation is more important, becuase Allah promises (repeat: promises) victory if we are true in our belief. While the Qur’an commands taking worldly means as well (such as preparing steeds of war to create awe in the enemy), it does not predicate our success on these means the way it predicates our success on observing the Taqwa of Allah. The latter is essential for Allah’s help to arrive.

On a more pragmatic level, I don’t see why there should be a contradiction in the same person being a Muttaqi in his private life and being an Activist for Islam in his public life. Does activism inherently demand that you be lax about reforming your own self?

Wassalaam.

To answer your question, I know a brother who was once a Civil Rights Activists and is a Student of Knowledge so yes you can be both I AGREE :).

Shirtman,

Your point on priorities is well-taken, but keep in mind that the trigger point for this discussion was a blog post by someone who struggled with this issue and overcame it, as many of us have done.

Recently, I know of a brother who gave up watching movies because he was sitting in a gathering in which another brother simply shared his own story of giving up movies. It inspired him, and I spoke with that brother later, and he said, “Bro, I’m so happy, I was so inspired I haven’t watched movies in 3 weeks!”

There are many methods by which Allah subhaana wa ta’aala offers guidance in particular matters to people, and everyone is at different levels. It is true, there are people who are struggling with basic issues, but not everyone is struggling with these issues – some are struggling with addictions like movies and music, addictions which you may have noticed occupy the minds and hearts of the believer to the point that it takes them away from the Qur’aan, when they want to come closer.

Sometimes, when we read or talk to people who have struggled like we have, that can be an inspiration and make the goal more attainable in our minds than we may have originally thought. So I would agree with you that this discussion doesn’t have priority for everyone, but it does for some, and insha’Allah the numerous examples here will cause others to follow suit.

Siraaj

Shirtman,

We do prioritize in Islam, but there are differing levels of priorities in relation to the different target audiences. If someone doesn’t even pray the fardh prayers, then, yes, this article is not the first priority for them by far. But for lots of other Muslims, it is very relevant and gets them closer to the goal. I just feel that it is not fair to apply words like “argue for 2 hours about a big mac” to such discussions. We owe sincerity (which includes sincere advice) to all our brethren in faith, not just those whose spiritual maladies are at a certain level of severity. The same hospital can treat both cancer patients and those with mild bronchitis, can’t it?

Again, I pose to you the same question: Where is the contradiction between writing articles emphasizing the need to observe the five fundamental pillars of Islam and writing articles emphasizing leaving off a sin like Music, especially when the sins being discussed affect not a handful of people, but a majority of Muslims, and when the effects of these sins include being kept away from the Qur’an? I see a need for both, based on who you are addressing at any given moment.

A parable: If I recall correctly, in the Naqshbandiyah line, the Mureed is started off by being assigned with a huge amount of Tahleel and other adhkaar mentioning Allah, with the understanding (or hope) that this will drive out Ghayr Allah from the heart, allowing goodness to take root therein. In the Chishtiyah line, however, the Mureed is often started off by being coached on overcoming his or her character issues one-by-one, in nitty-gritty detail, and the adhkaar are either assigned as a subsidiary thing alongside this, or are held off and only started at a later stage, when the Mureed has shown some progress in overcoming their specific sins, and there is hope that now there is “room” within the heart for the idea of Allah, the garbage and thorns having being swept away from it.

Who is to say that certain personality types would benefit more from the first methodology and certain other personalities would benefit more from the second methodolgy? Both these calls need to be present abundantly in the Dawahsphere (pardon the neologism), so that both personality types can benefit simultaneously.

(NB: I am not endorsing everything in these Sufi orders by mentioning their respective approaches. Please let’s not start a debate over Sufism or the Sufis here needlessly…)

(For some technical reason some verses which I attempted to quote in my last post didn’t appear so I am posting the latter portion of my message again- I apologize for causing the inconvenience)

I hope the sister can InshAllah gain inspiration from the Sahabah who, as soon as Allah’s command reached them regarding alcohols:

“Will you not then desist?” they immediately poured out all the alcohol that they had and said, “We desist our Lord, we desist!”
They did this despite the fact that alcohol has a greater addictive power over those who drink it.
Therefore, one should stop immediately instead of claiming it is best to do it gradually.
The gradual approach is the way of one who does not trust his determination and the will power that Allah has granted him.

And other suggestions for the sister to quit music would be :

1. Rely on Allah sincerely, with full determination not to return to smoking, in compliance with Allah’s command:
“When you decide on a certain course of action, place your trust in Allah.”

2. Avoid bad company

3. Expel the secret whispers of Satan who continuously dictates to the human being that he is weak and incapable of refraining from sinning, as Allah (T) says (what means)

“It is but Satan who instills (into you) fear of his allies; so do not fear them, but fear Me if you are (truly) believers..”

“Fight then against the allies of Satan; indeed, Satan’s guile is weak..”

FYI::::::::::::::::;Dawud (A.S)’ music argument is coming from some Paki movie, lol. I went to a friend’ house and they have a Paki channel , which was discussing that very issue and scholars were speaking up against what was depicted in the movie.

But WHO IS THE WORLDDDDDDD WOULD USE A MOVIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE for their FIQHI ISSUES? Ya SUBHAN ALLAH, the times we live in.

Nasir:

Jazkah-Allah Khayran for the advice. And no, you were not too hard/harsh on me or anything.

I will say I should have not said love music. I will say that I appreciate it. I think it is art and worthwhile and I don’t think that will change. Will I stop listening to it? Probably. Right now I can go long periods without thinking about it or listening to it. For me not making a big deal about it helps me cut it out.

Apart from reading Abu Bilal Al-Kanaadi’s book I would highly recommend (esp brother “Pakistani” in particular :)) to read the following article which academically explains the ruling of music in detail and refutes the argument of those who opposed the ijma :

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/5000

These are some beautiful Ayaat to ponder over deeply for those brothers and sisters who listen to music and don’t try to refrain from listening despite knowing the correct ruling on music and for those who trivialize the ruling by rejecting it on their whims and desire:

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam], have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam], he has indeed strayed into a plain error.[Surah Ahzab:036]

“Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind (Al-Hajj:46)

O you who believe! Enter perfectly into Islâm (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the religion of Islâm) and follow not the footsteps of Shaitân (Satan). Verily, he is to you a plain enemy [Surah Baqarah.208]

“But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’ân nor acts on its teachings), verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.”
He will say:”O my Lord! Why have you raised me you raised me up blind, while I had sight (before).”
(Allâh) will say “Like this Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came to you, but you disregarded them (i.e. you left them, did not think deeply in them, and you turned away from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected (in the Hell-fire, away from Allâh’s Mercy).” [Surah TaaHaa:124-126]

Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allâh is not unaware of what you do. Those are they who have bought the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter. Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped. [Surah Baqarah.086]

As’salaamu alaykum warahmatullaahi wabarakatuhu.

MashaAllaah Tabarakallaah!

I hope that parents start teaching their kids from a very early age, the true Islam no matter the side attractions and fitnah affecting Muslims worldwide.

I was a music nut during my childhood and adolescent years. I had no Islamic training at home though I was culturally trained to be well behaved to the elderly and be an “A” student in school.
I found out that music was haram when I got into college after having mimed so many songs by Boyz2Men, MCHammer, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, just name it. I also knew all those Catholic hymn songs by heart since I attended Catholic elementary and high schools. Was it difficult for me to actually accept the fact that music was indeed haram? Absolutely. I just didn’t get it at first. I saw those brothers and sisters in my college then, as fanatics.

But whoever Allaah wants to guide, no one else could misguide. I’m just so lucky that Allaah guided me and blessed me with very good sisters who were so sincere in their naseeha. They never stopped reminding me of the akheerah.

Gradually, I left music and surrendered to the One who has given me life to live according to His will.

And because of my personal experience, I don’t pray for my kids to ever go through what I went through.

Now, I hate music with a burning PASSION. Allaahu Akbar!!!

I found out that music was haram when I got into college after having mimed so many songs by Boyz2Men, MCHammer, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, just name it.

LOL!

Siraaj

as salamualaykum

Jazak Allah Khair Ibn Abe! I just read this now :)

I went through the “weening” process as well that many must have gone through when leaving music. Over a 6 month period, from CDs to Radio and then from Radio to eventually nothing. Alhamdulillah at the time I was in this fitna, we didn’t have music on the internet so I can see it must be much harder now to leave this stuff.

I remember one thing that helped me deal with this problem. I was once with the brothers in our MSA and complaining (or boasting) about my problem with Music and how I listen to this and that, when one of the brothers, may Allah reward him told me, “I know it must be hard to leave Music but regardless of what happens, know that Music is Haraam and that you’re committing a sin by listening to it.” I guess that just stuck in my head and alHamdulillah eventually helped me leave Music for good. AlHamdulillah for me, the “Music is Halal” movement was pretty weak at that time, but I guess it must be tougher now with so many Scholars and Daees endorsing the “Music is Halal” opinion.

May Allah guide us and keep us firm on the truth.

Ibrahim great point!

It seem that we are moving into a direction where it could be possible for Muslim to be indie rockers without doing anything haram:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sBiOz2hA3I
=P

Asalaamu’Alaikum,

I was never heavily into music, but I was into music for a good portion of my life. I used to listen to the older rap/hip hop type stuff, then I stopped listening to music for a few years (not for Islamic reasons just didn’t think anything was good/worth my time). Then in the later stages of my high school life I ended up getting back into music although different genres, but again I wasn’t that heavily into it although by the time I hit University I was a regular listener (in my car and at home most of the time).

I was a very weak muslim so Islamic reasons wouldn’t have convinced me since I had bigger problems than listening to music (not praying most of time). I ended up getting into Islam early into my University career so it was a gradual process although my initial sources for knowledge were more liberal/westernized so they said music was permissible and so I was bias to the point and disagreed with it being haram.

As I became stronger in my deen I began to get involved in the MSA and along with some other brothers was involved in an End of Term Dinner where we were trying to have music. The issue became tense and it culminated with a sort of debate at a key meeting about the entertainment between some brothers (I was more of an onlooker) and I just saw that the brother who was arguing against music clearly had stronger arguments and was very well mannered and composed. The president just ended up putting her foot down and saying no music (which I agreed with since this was a dinner for muslims and many viewed it to be haram although I didn’t at the time), although the debate had already started now so it continued outside the meeting. I listened fairly attentively and just asked a few questions and the main knowledgeable brother who was arguing against music gave me some very simple and straight points just about how no companion had spoken positively of music and just the reality of the 4 imams prohibiting it and just all the early consensus and then I just realized that obviously they know Islam better than I do (early generations) so they must be right.

I’m a person who tries to be very honest both internally and externally and I realized that such a point just can’t be refuted, for me to say music is permissible is to say all the great companions and scholars of this ummah who have spent their lives on this deen are wrong and a small recent minority are right. This ofcourse didn’t make sense, thus I didn’t feel the need to even study the proofs to be convinced and I now felt bad if I even went near music knowing this. so I gave it up cold turkey (this was approx a year ago) in a very short period of time and have never went back since even though I have music sitting in my car still and on my computer (I’m too lazy to clear things out although now after reading this post I think I will Insh’Allah).

I certainly despise and hate music and have changed much since then and I love the Qur’an and the words of Allah(aza wajal) soo much more now and I love memorizing and reading Qur’an. Fundamentally I think the issue is about ikhlas and sincerity with oneself, if you do not have this then Allah will not guide you. One must be willing to change themselves in order to fit Islam and understand the Islamic point and standing, but the problem is most would rather try to change Islam or interpret it in a way that suits their desires or leads to them not having to change. Until we have the guts to study this deen with honesty and be ready to look at every point and know that we could be wrong we will never be guided, unfortunately its just too easy to be lazy and ignorant and live in that temporary bliss, but Allah will not take this as an excuse.

Salaam

ah i forgot to mention. to get your time spent with good stuff. you should watch some AbdurRaheem Green lectures about money, wealth, famousness and realise that this does not make you happy in life. otherwise you are just wasting your time. i liked this one the most of what ive seen (although its old)
http://www.youtubeislam.com/video/3121/Sex-Drugs-n-Rock-n-Roll–Is-there-more-to-life
also watch the Q&A

Was-Salaam

So the root cause of all the problems in the Muslim Ummah is Music?
There is such a thing as “Priorities” brother!