Inspiration and Spirituality

The End of Music

Published

May 14, 2008

Omar Usman

Music is haram. Music is halal. … and the debate continues ad infinitum. I recently listened to a lecture called ‘The End of Music’ by Kamal Mekki (mp3 of this at the bottom of the post), and masha’Allah it is probably the best talk I have heard on this topic.

I remember when music used to be a struggle for me personally. I remember when I started making a concerted effort to try to memorize Quran (and by memorize here I mean to learn more than the last 15 surahs of the 30th juz) I naturally thought it would be a good idea to put some Quran on CD’s and listen in the car. Where to find this Quran though? My parents had audio cassettes but I had no tape player (not that I would go to tapes in the CD age anyway). So I did what every young music lover would do at that time – I got on Napster (remember those days?) and searched for Quran (boy do I feel old).

I made a CD with random recitations to compile a full disc of the 30th juz. I later came to find that I had a mix of Sudais and Sa’d al-Ghamidi – both of whom I still get a nostalgic feeling from when listening to them.

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I faced a dilemma now though. As I would drive to school in the morning, I would try to put on the CD. However, being a music buff, I would listen to music as well. I would alternate between the 2 at random, before slowly moving on to a system that didn’t last too long: Listen to Quran on the way to school, and listen to music on the way home. Something in my heart just told me that this was wrong. I want to emphasize here, that at this point in my life, I was just starting to make an effort to learn my deen beyond the Sunday School foundation I had while growing up, and had not yet up to this point heard or read anything on whether music was halal or haram. It was just my gut instinct telling me that I was gaining reward on half my trip, and on the other half – probably not so much.

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.

I went up to my computer and deleted about 20gb of mp3 files, and sold off a collection of around 200+ albums at a used CD store (though I have since come to find that money was probably not halal to take). People who knew me were shocked. How could someone just throw away such a ‘treasure’ of music, including rare and live recordings, and tons of albums covering multiple genres. Alhamdulillah, Allah (swt) gave me the tawfeeq to take that push and just do it. I’m sharing this here, because I hope people are not scared to just quit, and know that it can be done, no matter how much you might love music.

It wasn’t that easy though, and for some time I still struggled with it. Quran to and from school lasted for a bit, but slowly turned into Quran and Nasheeds. Quran and Yusuf Islam. Quran and Soldiers of Allah (don’t laugh, you know you listened to them too). After that, I went back to Napster and expanded my search, and finally found Islamic lectures by people such as Siraaj Wahaj. Now, alhamdulillah, I finally had my mix of what to listen to – lectures and Quran.

Even after the fact, it is not easy to be completely free from music. It’s easy to check what is on the radio, or all of a sudden remember a song you used to like when you hear it outside in a store or something like that. Even now I might hear something on TV (lately its the Indiana Jones theme) and it will get immediately stuck in my head and I have to run to my computer and put some Quran on and get rid it out.

The talk by Kamal Mekki is amazing though. He not only covers the obvious fiqh aspects of it, but gives a realistic breakdown of the issue and how it affects your heart. One thing that strikes me is that some scholars actually referred to music as the Quran of Shaytaan. Whether you think music is halal or haram is really a side issue when you assess how it affects your heart. Is your heart attached to the Quran or to music? I strongly believe the two are definitely mutually exclusive and cannot coexist in one’s heart. Anyone who makes a serious effort to read Quran daily or to memorize it cannot at the same time be listening to music without it having a negative effect.

The actual talk was reviewed by the Dawah Center which produced it (you can read their review here) so I won’t reinvent the wheel. The only thing I wanted to add that was interesting was when he read out the beginning of a song lyric, and everyone could complete it. Then he would start an ayah and see how many people could finish it. Very interesting :)

The talk covers the fiqh aspect and has an interesting Q&A where such questions are addressed: Isn’t the fact that babies naturally dance to music proof that it is good?

One reflection I wanted to share from the talk was about what you subconsciously are attached to. He mentions stories about people who were prompted to say the Shahadah on their death beds, but were only able to say song lyrics. Think about when you’re driving and something happens. Are the first words out of your mouth something like, “bismillah” or something like”oh crap!”? :)

Finally, Kamal Mekki wrote a poem that he recited during the talk which I thought was really good, especially for english. It’s copied here from the review on the dawah center website.

O Muslim, lawful things have good attributes
Where is the good in singing, dancing and listening to flutes?
Can we compare the words of singers and sounds of Musicians
To the Glorious Quran, its lessons, wisdoms and admonitions?
How many singers do you know and give admiration,
And how many do you know of the companions and the following generation?
How much do you spend on singers from your dollars?
Compared to how many you know of Islamic Scholars.
Do you see how much is memorized of Music songs?
While you ignore the book to which memorization belongs?
How much do you memorize of these incantations?
And swayed back and forth in intoxication?
Have you not seen those who follow the misguided?
And increase the loudness of the Music, when they should hide it?
And who writes their songs? thinkers, or men of academia?
Or maybe scholars, like Ahmad, Malik or maybe ibn Taymiyah.
O you who listens to music..
Don’t you see that All the songs of the world and all the lyrics you’ve seen
Wouldn’t compare in reward to Alif Laam Meem

To download the mp3 of this click here.

And: Shabab ul-Haq – Wiping Away a Sea of Sins (interview with a youth on giving up music)

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Omar Usman

Omar Usman is a founding member of MuslimMatters and Qalam Institute. He teaches Islamic seminars across the US including Khateeb Workshop and Fiqh of Social Media. He has served in varying administrative capacities for multiple national and local Islamic organizations. You can follow his work at ibnabeeomar.com.

142 Comments

fastaqim.blogspot.com

May 14, 2008 at 5:29 AM

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.

Reply
Abu Ninja

May 14, 2008 at 5:54 AM

MashaAllah that poem by Kamal Mekki was a m a z i n g !

Reply
Siraaj Muhammad

May 14, 2008 at 6:46 AM

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

Reply
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Gohar

May 14, 2008 at 8:03 AM

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) came to my house while two girls were singing beside me the songs of Bu`ath (a story about the war between the Khazraj and the Aws before Islam). The Prophet (peace be upon him) was laying down and turned his face away. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying: “Wind instruments of Satan near the Prophet (peace be upon him)?” Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) turned his face towards him and said, “Leave them.”

The hadîth..does not indicate the permissibility of instrumental music. The girls were not playing musical instruments. They were merely singing songs. Abû Bakr was referring to the girls themselves and their singing when he called them “mizmâr” (a wind instrument). [islamtoday.com]

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GazeboDweller

May 14, 2008 at 9:33 AM

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.

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Hassan

May 14, 2008 at 9:47 AM

I think, it was one of the salaf (either Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, Hasan Basri or Sofyaan Thawri) who said, that love of Quran can not unite with love of music in same heart.

I used to listen to lots of songs (hindi songs that is), but it gradually ended (not entirely due to religious reasons, logistics as well).

By the way listening to neo-cons is good for people with low blood pressure, and also for people on long drive. I love those guys, they have kept me awake for long distances.

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ibnabeeomar

May 14, 2008 at 9:57 AM

i cant do neocon radio. its espn radio for me

Reply
reader

May 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM

Assalaam Alaikum WRWB,
Jazak Allah khayr for this wonderful ‘piece’. I couldn’t agree more about monitoring yourself when ‘you’re driving and something happens’. On thing I have also found useful is to pay attention to your thoughts and words as soon as you wake up. I have found this a good way to gauge what came of the previous day (or part of the day in case you were napping). On occasion I find myself humming the music from the cartoons my kids watch and find myself encouraging my 2 and 4 year olds to mute the tv when they hear music. It’s not perfect, but I do find them reminding my when I don’t actively do the same. May Allah have mercy on us and embelish our thoughts and words with his dhikr.

I won’t be so brave as to say that the many times I left music that it was because of the hatred of it. Rather, it was for the love of something better. I know that some people’s ideals make them ‘hate’ music but the line between love and hate is much thinner than the one between reasoning and ignorance. Though I REALLY enjoyed CD selling/breaking/using as a chai pad, it didn’t help cure my ills for good :).

At the end of the day, your mind will try to keep itself busy with whatever you feed it. A strong connection with (and the constant reminder of) one’s end and purpose is essential to be able to ‘fight the good fight’. If you are not cognizant of your death (and reckoning) being ‘closer than your shoelaces,’ you will quickly loose sight of just WHY you can’t ‘relieve stress’ listening to music and just why burdening yourself with self-reflection and prayer has no alternative. Connect to your salat and dhikr long enough and your connection to music will time itself out and become obsolete (the geek in meee must break freeeee).

May Allah bless your time, wealth, and family for writing for us, Wasalaam Alaikum WRWB.

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Sunie Nizami

May 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM

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.

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observation

May 14, 2008 at 10:52 AM

Salaam Alaikum GazeboDweller… :) … Ironically, what is ‘paradoxical’ is that your first paragraph explains your personal struggle for good, walHamdulillah… but then your second paragraph condescendingly judges others, who for all you know, could be in your very shoes.
Whether someone’s tv has a large screen or not, or whether one is married or not, Allah’s pardon is inclusive of all who turn to him. It does not suffice to say that people ‘masha Allaah seem very practicing’ and so on… sometimes good intentions coupled with idle words can help shaytan against your brothers.

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Siraaj Muhammad

May 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM

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

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fais

May 14, 2008 at 1:06 PM

>:( @ gazebodweller, not cool bro!

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Charles

May 14, 2008 at 2:08 PM

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?

Reply
- felix
  
  September 10, 2014 at 8:39 PM
  
  this is something i struggle with deeply as a musician as i feel music is natural to me. the argument that music is a distraction, is true yes. but this is very weak logic when you realize the fact that any other pursuit in life besides Islam/Quran can be considered distracting (studying medicine for 10 years or something)…music gets in the way of prayers etc…but doesn’t working 9–5 either?
  
  i dont want to create confusion for the Muslims that have stopped, but it is really a tricky issue i feel and not as clear cut as some make it to be. i hope i can resolve this conflict soon inshAllah because my life could really change if i stop pursuing music/playing music.
  
  Reply
Abu Alee

May 14, 2008 at 2:22 PM

Masha’Allah excellent lecture, you can find more Kamel el-Mekki lectures here and here

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ibnabeeomar

May 14, 2008 at 2:25 PM

Charles – the best resource i can recommend for that is this book which details it from the fiqh point of view.

Music and Singing in Islam – Abu Bilal al-Kanadi

as for why it may be detestable, etc then the lecture linked to goes into good detail on it – especially regarding songs with good lyrics or positive messages, he addresses that directly.

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tawheed

May 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM

Assalamu alaykum, Alhamdullilah, this is a relevant topic…Nowadays music is everywhere form ringtones, supermarkets, waiting on some company’s phone service, elevators, etc. At my workplace, unfortunately music seems to be the driving force for everyone working, meaning hardly anyone can not work because the radio is not on, I guess to drive out the bordeom…anyway, I just want to raise the issue about lyrics and musical instruments.

As far as I know the 4 schools prohibited the use of musical instruments.
Dr. Umar Abd-Allah, on his article entitled, “Living Islam with a Purpse”, on page 10, give the impression that scholars forbade
music in association with lewdness, such as alcohol, free-mixing, etc. Of course any words, whether they are lyrics of a song, or a peom, or prose that contain indecent material, and/or promote the worst of humanity are condemned by Sharia. My question revolves around the issue of musical instruments accompanied by lyrics which are not indecent, but rather can be praiseworthy in the light of the sharia, for example nasheeds (something the enlivens the soul), ie. nasheeds and musical instruments, whether this is allowed or not..
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

LInk to article:
http://www.nawawi.org/downloads/article6.pdf

Salam

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Ahmad AlFarsi

May 14, 2008 at 3:30 PM

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!

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SaqibSaab

May 14, 2008 at 3:40 PM

Ahmad, I was thinking of that quote by Shaykh Yaser, too, but I can’t remember the exact “other rulings” of the Dhahiris that he mentioned! It was during The Code Evolved: Evolution of Fiqh…

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ibnabeeomar

May 14, 2008 at 3:55 PM

i believe one was praying 5 times a day in the masjid

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Dawud Israel

May 14, 2008 at 3:56 PM

Complex topic. I agree with what’s been said–but there’s more that maybe should be discussed.

Because scholars say beat-boxing is halaal and so there are acapella groups–which somehow leads to saying, “hey we might as well make real music” since the acapella sounds no different than haraam beats so you doubt it’s halaal. And then there are simple spoken word artists like Amir Sulaiman who get mixed in there as well–some songs are halaal and some may not be and even include some haraam stuff. Kind of like how there are a mix of lectures from shuyookh that are copyright free and copyright protected. ;)

But don’t be surprised to look on Myspace and find Muslims who have taken lectures of shuyookh and remixed them into songs:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=262958509

Also do a quick search on others out there like, Radio Raw Deen and how many Muslims are already in the Music production scene. Some of these guys have gone up there like Lupe Fiasco and it’s no secret that many of the big names in hip hop have strong feelings towards Islam or even are “secret Muslims”.

And then there is the whole Filmmaking Fiqh issue that came up because films need some sort of music…but that can go against the Islamic message in these dawah flicks…

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Dawud Israel

May 14, 2008 at 4:01 PM

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

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ibnabeeomar

May 14, 2008 at 4:09 PM

regarding beatboxing (and many other issues brought up in the comments) – if you listen to the lecture, most of these issues are addressed. :)

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Ahmad AlFarsi

May 14, 2008 at 4:10 PM

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.

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AnonyMouse

May 14, 2008 at 4:43 PM

Good post, masha’Allah… alHamdulillaah I’ve never really had a problem with music (from a young age my parents had that instilled in me – it was always Qur’an, anasheed, and lectures)… except for one brief period of time when I was introduced to Arab bellydancing music :S But alHamdulillaah we got over that quickly! Now we compete with Qur’an instead and teach our younger siblings the lyrics to Jihadi anasheed :D

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Yasir Qadhi

May 14, 2008 at 5:36 PM

Salam Alaikum

I am very thankful to Allah that He blessed me with parents who did not allow me to listen to music; hence I grew up listening to Quran and Islamic lectures. Because of this, the love of music never entered my heart – to this day I find no temptation in listening to the exotic medley of loud, strange sounds emitted from pipes with holes in specific places, or by the plucking of taught strings wound up to precise tensions and echoed in hollow wooden chambers…

I remember a lecture that a Shaykh of mine gave in Madinah about the effects of a pure heart vs. an impure heart; he was saying that it is amazing to see that when loud music is blaring in the streets, you find a pious Muslim with a love of the Quran roll his window up and frown in disgust, yet that same sound is pleasing to the one who hears it.

It is not the sound that is different to the two ears, but rather the heart that receives it.

Yasir

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- Ukti Hajar
  
  February 16, 2016 at 5:44 AM
  
  Ah, thank you so much for posting this. I was really worried how I was going to raise kids without music of any sort. This is very reassuring to read that someone out there has pulled it off and you’re a better Muslim for it!
  
  Reply
Hilal K.

May 14, 2008 at 6:49 PM

Assalamu alaikum,

Br. Kamal is a cool speaker.

Jzak Allahu khair for this! Especially in a time when everything seems to be becoming “halaal” in the name of fiqh al tayseer and what not. We should be able to make a stance: Music is Haraam.

Awesome.

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Ayesha

May 14, 2008 at 6:53 PM

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.

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SaqibSaab

May 14, 2008 at 8:01 PM

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

I don’t know any Muslim who has successfully given up listening to music without suplementing it with something else. Qur’an, lectures, radio, whatever. Even for myself, I was a music nut. I could enjoy nearly anything, even classical (but maybe not country). After almost two years of slowly weaning myself away, I developed a love for listening to bigger and better things, and in trying to listen to as many lectures as I could, I eventually gave up music, alhumdulillah.

Point is, not only did it take time, it took something else. That’s why I’ve noticed Muslims who gave up dating and illegal relationships are the ones who want to get married the most. They need something to use as an alternative, and alhumdulillah, Allah has given them to us.

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

How about being addicted to Qur’an or to ‘ilm? We all know some people are, and that can’t be so bad! May Allah (swt) help us gain such an addiction.

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Usman Akhtar

May 14, 2008 at 8:27 PM

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.

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MR

May 14, 2008 at 8:42 PM

Tala ala badru alaynnaa
min thann nee yaaa till wa daaaaa
wa jaa baa shu kruu alaynnnaa
ma da’aaalil la hidaaaaa

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Hidaya

May 14, 2008 at 8:57 PM

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)

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Hidaya

May 14, 2008 at 9:06 PM

I am confused about Nasheeds with instruments? Can we shed some light on them?

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Hilal K.

May 14, 2008 at 9:07 PM

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.

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Yus from the Nati

May 14, 2008 at 11:06 PM

In Dhahiri fiqh…praying in the Masjid is a Rukun of prayer. thus if one does not do it…one’s prayer is not accepted (from what I remember)

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Asim

May 14, 2008 at 11:07 PM

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.

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- Ukti Hajar
  
  February 16, 2016 at 5:40 AM
  
  This is really frustrating to read because it seems as though one of you have ever spent time with music that actually praises God. You listened to music with bad meanings anyway. Yes, THAT is easy to give up! But, as a convert, I can’t find any help for those of us who were raised in households filled with music that only praised God. Its a VERY different place to be coming from because your whole life memories are positive associations with music ONLY FOR God. Its how you learned stories and verses. Its how you expressed deep appreciation and cried out in your most humble moment for forgiveness. Its everything that brought you closer to God!
  
  Please help.
  
  Reply
  - Ukti Hajar
    
    February 16, 2016 at 5:41 AM
    
    *none* of you…
    
    Reply
Sharif

May 14, 2008 at 11:28 PM

I’ve been having a lot of reflections on this lately. I’ve never doubted the status of music in fiqh as haram (the evidence is too clear against it), but I’ve been wondering about the wisdom behind the prohibition, as music has a very powerful effect on emotions. Yes, of course it can invoke evil emotions, but on the flip side of the coin, can it not also invoke very powerful positive emotions?

I came across this statement by Ibn Qayyim, which blew me away with its conciseness, clarity of thought, and wisdom:

“From among the artful machinations and entrapments of Allah’s enemy [Satan], with which he has snared those possessing little good sense, knowledge and deen [faith], and by which he has stalked the hearts of the false and ignorant people, there is the listening to whistling, wailing, handclapping and song to the accompaniment of forbidden [musical] instruments. Such things block the Quraan from people’s hearts and make them devoted to sin and disobedience. For song (to musical accompaniment) is the Quraan of Ash Shaytaan (Satan). It is a dense veil and barrier, preventing nearness to Ar-Rahmaan! (Allah) By way of such song, Satan deceives vain souls, making it appear pleasing to them through his cunning appeal to their vanities. He insidiously whispers false, specious arguments suggesting the’ goodness’ in song. These arguments are accepted, and as a result, the Quraan becomes an object of neglect and abandonment.”

My experiences bore witness to everything he said, and the more I reflected upon them, the more powerful an effect these statement had upon me.

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ibnabeeomar

May 14, 2008 at 11:38 PM

regarding nasheeds – please listen to the lecture :)

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muslimah4lyfe

May 15, 2008 at 1:32 AM

assalaam aleykum,

i have just recently given up music for good… alhamdulillah… and i hope that Allah will give me the strength to stay away…

I have always believed that music was haraam but i never had the strength to give it up… completely…

Even now i say that i have given it up… to the extent where I am not playing any at all… but since it has been around maybe around 2-3 weeks since i told myself that insha’Allah this will be permanent (before that, i would limit the amount that i listened to, per week), I have not reached the point where if music is being played somewhere I will think it’s wrong etc… insha’Allah i will gain that with time…

A problem that I am having though is that… I know people mentioned that they have substituted listening to music in the car with lectures and Qur’an… which is something I doing at home… but, I used to depend on music while working out… i find it hard to workout to the Qur’an or a lecture? thus, i haven’t seriously worked out since i’ve left music too… i’m unable to find what i can do… insha’Allah someone’ll be able to offer me some valuable advice… b’idhnillah!

Jazaakum Allah Khayr.. please make du’a that Allah makes this sacrifice easier for us… ameen!

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Veiled_Muslimah

May 15, 2008 at 4:50 AM

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.

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Pakistani

May 15, 2008 at 6:21 AM

Salam,
A prphet David(Dawood) used to play a musical intrument and it is said when he used to recite Zabur, the animals and birds around him would sway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabur

According to the above link>>The Zabur is a collection of ancient hymns and spiritual songs. They were originally written to be sung, not just to be recited or read.
So can a holy divine book and the commandants from God could be wrong in this time or the next? No. Not possible. Music and singing is not haram.

An interesting film, depicts this dilemma of music in Islam,
Khuda Ke liye(In the Name of God).
See it yourself and decide.

Reply
- Abdullah
  
  January 16, 2016 at 10:28 AM
  
  Remember always stick the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alaihi was salam), as we are the last Ummah. Our Prophet is a Rasul of Allah meaning his teachings overrides the old teachings, (in other words, teachings from Zabur, Torah, and Injil, all three expires). So be careful. Even Fatwa of Scholars are from Quran, Hadith, Ijithad of Sahabah r.a., and Qiyas. We need to stick to the Ullama of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah.
  
  It is our lack of knowledge that we tend to decide upon something that we do not know.
  
  Reply
OM

May 15, 2008 at 6:59 AM

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

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Siraaj Muhammad

May 15, 2008 at 7:30 AM

I used to depend on music while working out

What type of workout do you do?

Siraaj

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ibnabeeomar

May 15, 2008 at 10:03 AM

pakistani – please check out the lecture and the book
Music and Singing in Islam – Abu Bilal al-Kanadi

i’m sure you will find both to address this adequately, and from muslim sources instead of wikipedia :)

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Sunie Nizami

May 15, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Pakistani – Bro, if you really analyze the movie you have quoted, you will realize what a real farce it is (Especially in regards to the Fiqh of Music). Are you really going to get your fatawa from film makers over an overwhelming list of scholarly evidence?

Please consider the sources ibnaabeeomar has provided. I did my share of fatwa shopping as well, but when I started to love the quran, the lunacy of the “for God’s sake” kind of arguments really came out. You cannot fully love the quran and music at the same time.

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GazeboDweller

May 15, 2008 at 10:37 AM

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.

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Pakistani

May 15, 2008 at 11:13 AM

Salam,
A valid point is a valid point anywhere, be it on tv. ,radio, in america, asia or whatever.
So I take it there are no replies to the facts regarding Hazrat Dawood(alih salam)?….And no verses from the Holy Quran or the divine books condemning his singing?….

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Pakistani

May 15, 2008 at 11:17 AM

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.

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Pakistani

May 15, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Ibneomar, the link you referred to, is erraneous. Why not give your arguments here?….

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ibnabeeomar

May 15, 2008 at 11:31 AM

pakistani – it is not worth engaging in a line by line debate. the arguments you raise are addressed in the lecture, so please listen to that first and then post follow up questions if you have some.

you can purchase the book here
http://www.troid.org/store/product.php?productid=16309

or try googling the title to find it online, it used to be on that site it just went down in the past day or 2.

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Yus from the Nati

May 15, 2008 at 11:32 AM

Pakistani –

This is an excerpt from from Abu Bilaal Mustafa al-Kanadi “The Islamic Ruling on Music and Singing”.

Read with an open mind like you watched “Khuda Ke liye” with an open mind. Don’t fall into the trap of “mullah’s alway say this or that” and everybody is backwards except those who go to some certain school etc etc. If you have already made your mind up on this issue without researching all sides…then that’s on you. If you haven’t…let’s discuss intelligently and not take Allah’s law from any other source than the Quran and Sunnah….
I hope the best for you! Please do not take offense to these comments akhi. May Allah make it easy for ALL of us.

THE FIRST VERSE:

{And verily,We did favor some of the prophets over others, and to Dawood We gave the Psalms.}(*1)

How does this verse purport to be proof for those who claim legality? It is a common misconception of certain Muslims-especially those having a western background or living in the west-that Dawood (peace be upon him)composed the Psalms and sang them to the accompaniment of music.(*2) There are even some commentators of English translations of the Quraan who fall prey to the same error. For example, Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on this verse saying, “The spiritual gifts with which the Prophets came, may themselves, take different forms according to the needs of the world and the times in which they lived, as judged by the wisdom of God. A striking example here given is the gift of song and music as given to David…(*3) The fact is that the Psalms were not composed by Prophet Dawood (upon whom be Allah’s peace and blessings), but rather were revealed to him(*4) by Allah, the exalted, as is clearly stated in the Quraan.(*5) Additionally, nowhere in the Quraan or in the authentic traditions(*6) is there any support for this accompanying the psalms with musical instruments .

In order to properly understand the true nature of the Psalms (Az-Zaboor), one must look to some of the dependable Quraanic commentaries (tafaseer). Ibn Katheer (Allah’s mercy be upon him), explains the meaning of the term Az-Zaboor saying, “Az-Zaboor is the name of the book revealed by Allah to Dawood (peace be upon him).”(*7) Al-Aloosi further confirms this saying, “Az-Zaboor is the name of the book sent down to Dawood (upon whom be peace); it was revealed to him gradually, by installments.”(*8)

As to the nature of these psalms, Al-Qurtubi states, “Az-Zaboor is the book of Dawood, consisting of one hundred and fifty chapters; however, it contained no rulings of divine law on matters of prohibited or allowed things. Rather, it consisted of words of wisdom and admonishment.”(*9) Al-Aaloosi adds to this description that “the Zaboor also contained divine praises and glorification of Allah, (exalted be His praise).”(*10)

Prophet Dawood’s captivating, melodious voice was exceedingly beautiful and effective. When he recited the Zaboor, men, jinn, birds and wild animals gathered around him.(*11)

Reply
- muslimah
  
  August 15, 2010 at 2:37 PM
  
  Asalaamalikum brother,
  
  What do you make of this hadith then?
  
  Ibn Majah narrated Abu Musa that the Prophet (saw) said to him: â€œOh Abu Musa, you have been given one of the musical wind instruments of the family of David.â€ (Al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Book 61, Number 568)
  
  Reply
  - Jalal
    
    August 16, 2010 at 12:56 AM
    
    Assalamu alaikum
    
    Yes but what do you make of those other hadtihs then and the opinions of famous scholars? Maybe there are some interpretation issues. Also is the hadith you stated from Sahih Al-Bukhari? I mean Bukahri has not only one collection. I am not saying you’re wrong. In fact i don’t even want to argue. But there are so many things to look into, we as normal soandso muslims want to discuss such a topic at a coffee break with our little knowledge, but it does not work like that. :)
    
    Reply
Pingback: …::MvMuslims::… » Blog Archive » Links: 15 May 2008
Amad

May 15, 2008 at 11:53 AM

To add to “Yus”, another key point that Abu Bilaal makes is that even, if for argument’s sake, one were to assume that Dawood (AS)’s psalms had music accompanied to it, it is an established and recognized principle in usool al-fiqh that the revealed law to past prophets is only acceptable in Islam if the Quran and Sunnah upholds it and doesn’t go against it.

For instance, we know that the law given to Moses had restrictions for Saturday as the Sabbath. But that is no longer applicable to Muslims because Islamic law superseded biblical laws.

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Pakistani

May 15, 2008 at 11:54 AM

NO arguments there that Zabur is a divine revelation by Allah alone.

And according to Qassal Inbia he invented a musical intrument called tar (not sure the exact name of the instrument).

Okaaaaay; Forget the movie, just focus on Zabur and other divine revelations in any time or the other condeming music and singing?
Another little fact, Caliph Umar(ra) the 2nd caliph used to like poetry even after accepting Islam, not the romantic type but comedy.

And also Mubah and Haram are two different things, dont confuse them.

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ibnabeeomar

May 15, 2008 at 11:59 AM

pakistani – please listen to the lecture linked to in the post above. we will start moderating comments otherwise so that the comments here to not break down into a useless debate.

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Amad

May 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM

I think comments from Yus & crossed in space with “Pakistan’s” last comment, so, Pakistani, check it out. Your question about Dawood (AS) has been answered.

The entire book is online from Abu Bilaal. You can read it here as well: Abu Bilaal Mustafa al-Kanadi “The Islamic Ruling on Music and Singing”.

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Faiez

May 15, 2008 at 12:50 PM

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

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Sunie Nizami

May 15, 2008 at 2:01 PM

AlhumdulliAllah, may Allah love you for loving those two ayahs.

Its really odd though, because I find those very two ayaat extrememly hard to recite beautifully, and I have yet to meet a Qari who can. I love the Quran, but those particular two ayaat don’t quite click with me………………………….YET

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Seeker of peace

May 15, 2008 at 2:19 PM

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…

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Sunie

May 15, 2008 at 3:44 PM

Seeker of Peace. I don’t know if we’ll get time to listen to Music in Jannah.

We’ll be too busy listening to the voices of the Prophets. Better than that, the voice of Allah.

May Allah elevate our status and enter us into Jannah. Ameen.

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True Virtues

May 15, 2008 at 8:35 PM

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

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

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Nasir Muzaffar

May 15, 2008 at 9:20 PM

Brother “Pakistani” please read the following :

The view that Dawood (peace be upon him) used to seek forgiveness by playing the flute is a view for which there is no basis, rather what is meant by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari , “You have been given a beautiful voice (mizmaar, lit. flute) like the beautiful voices of the family of Dawood” (narrated by al-Bukhaari (5048) and Muslim (793) is that he had a beautiful voice, and the beauty of his voice was likened to the sound of the flute.

For further details I suggest you to read the following:

Did Dawood (peace be upon him) play a flute?
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/101172

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Mezaan

May 15, 2008 at 10:14 PM

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 !

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Yus from the Nati

May 15, 2008 at 10:25 PM

Sorry I have to spill some crap about my past…but iA it might help someone

I used to be NUTS about this music stuff. I’m talking about, could VERBATIM spit anything from the radio. Not only that…but it was the WORST kind of music…hood shtuff. I hate that description cause it sound so corny…but that’s what it was. I’m talking about that insano stuff (not as bad as Brotha Lynch stuff)…but granted it was retarded and terrible for one’s mental state. Anyways….I was so deep in it that my 4 real future was to be a producer b/c I could “make beats” like it was nothing since I was good at drumming. Even to the point where I was meeting “stars” like the Cash Money crew and them (lil wayne, juve, bg etc) Alhumdulillah Allah has guided me out of this mental retardation.

ok…here’s what I did to stop (and yes it took a long time and i feel stupid about it):

1. One year Ramadan came around and on some spiritual/fitrah? stuff I said to myself I’ll stop listening to Music while I’m fasting. Of course after fast it was all good and i continued to be simple (retarded). One point ot make here was at that time I REALLY did not think it was haraam…just felt that since I was so attached to something that was part of this dunya…I felt I should give it up (since everything is temporary blah blah blah) I had that opinion that alot of people have is that “man I don’t really know if it’s haraam or not…I hear stuff all the time” and since I never really researched it for real…I just kept it in the air under my Mubah file.

2. Second year rolls around…get a lil more knowledge. Ramadan again. this time I quit for the whole month (instead of just during the day when fasting).

3. After I quit. even when I was with my dudes…I’d make them turn off their radios when I was rollin with them, or tell them that I’d find another ride…just to not be tempted of what Jay Z or T.I. or whoever else was spittin at the time.

That’s it, Alhumdulillah haven’t looked back, and now I’m actually disgusted with Music…A real hate for SPECIFICALLY what I was listening to. I think it goes without saying that I replaced every single rap/rnb/reggae/jazz stuff I was listening to with Quran and lectures.

don’t be simple and think “it’s up in the air…it could be haraam or halaal” you’re just fooling yourself. If you’re smart, you’ll see there’s way to much evidence to prove otherwise.

Went from a clean shaven hairy Indian with 12 silver teeth back in ’98, to a Bearded hairy indian wearing izhaars and kameezes.

Anyways. If I can do it…YOU CAN DO IT! 4 real.

PS Loved brother Mutah’s lecture…I used to listen to the Outlawz hard in the throwback days.

Reply
Faiez

May 15, 2008 at 10:38 PM

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

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

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CuriousMuslimah

May 16, 2008 at 12:51 AM

I find this post and discussion interesting! I have listened to the lecture right now. I am a convert and a musician (I played the flute for 10+ years). I love music and always will. I was in band and the skills I learned because of my involvement in Band are still with me and help me today. It does help me when I am learning to memorize the Quran suras! I am in the process of cutting back and it’s pretty much is happening naturally. Listening to the Quran and Islamic lectures are more important. I guess it’s easier for me because I never liked rap or more negative music. Music still has a place in my life like when I exercise and clean the house. I am sure that will taper off as well.

Ok, back to the lecture!

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Syed

May 16, 2008 at 11:26 AM

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.

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Nasir Muzaffar

May 16, 2008 at 11:48 AM

CuriousMuslimah said: ” I love music and always will”

Sister you should refrain from making such statements. Such statements should not come from a wise believer.

It’s not possible for a Mominto find peace and serenity in other than reciting or listening to the Qura’an as Allah (SWT) says in the Qura’an:
Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest. [al-Ra’d 13:28]

Al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The four madhhabs are agreed that all musical instruments are haraam. (al-Saheehah, 1/145).
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The madhhab of Abu Haneefah is the strictest in this regard, and his comments are among the harshest. His companions clearly stated that it is haraam to listen to all musical instruments such as the flute and the drum, even tapping a stick. They stated that it is a sin which implies that a person is a faasiq (rebellious evil doer) whose testimony should be rejected. They went further than that and said that listening to music is fisq (rebellion, evildoing) and enjoying it is kufr (disbelief). This is their words. They narrated in support of that a hadeeth which could not be attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). They said: he should try not to hear it if he passes by it or it is in his vicinity. Abu Yoosuf said, concerning a house from which could be heard the sound of musical instruments: Go in without their permission, because forbidding evil actions is obligatory, and if it were not allowed to enter without permission, people could not have fulfilled the obligatory duty (of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil). (Ighaathat al-Lahfaan, 1/425).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: With regard to the view of Imaam Ahmad, his son ‘Abd-Allaah said: I asked my father about singing. He said: Singing makes hypocrisy grow in the heart; I do not like it. Then he mentioned the words of Maalik: the evildoers (faasiqs) among us do that. (Ighaathat al-Lahfaan).

Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It is not permissible to make musical instruments. (al-Majmoo’, 22/140). And he said: According to the majority of fuqahaa’, it is permissible to destroy musical instruments, such as the tanboor [a stringed instrument similar to a mandolin]. This is the view of Maalik and is the more famous of the two views narrated from Ahmad. (al-Majmoo’, 28/113).And he said: musical instruments are the wine of the soul, and what it does to the soul is worse than what intoxicating drinks do. (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 10/417).

Some of them said that singing is a form of worship if the intention is for it to help one to obey Allaah!
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: How strange! What type of faith, light, insight, guidance and knowledge can be gained from listening to tuneful verses and music in which most of what is said is haraam and deserves the wrath and punishment of Allaah and His Messenger? … How can anyone who has the least amount of insight and faith in his heart draw near to Allaah and increase his faith by enjoying something which is hated by Him, and He detests the one who says it and the one who accepts it? (Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/485)

Some say that music and musical instruments have the effect of softening people’s hearts and creating gentle feelings. This is not true, because it provokes physical desires and whims. If it really did what they say, it would have softened the hearts of the musicians and made their attitude and behaviour better, but most of them, as we know, are astray and behave badly.

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ibnabeeomar

May 16, 2008 at 12:33 PM

nasir, ease up bro :) i think you missed the point

as the sister mentioned, she is new to islam, and the music is tapering off. for people who have had music play a huge role in their life before islam, or even before simply giving it up, it’s not necessarily something people can give up stone cold. it’s a process, and insha’Allah as she mentioned the quran/lectures will taper off the music. you cant just be throwing the hammer all the time ;)

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Hassan

May 16, 2008 at 1:14 PM

Perhaps, Pakistani is following madhab of Imam Nasir-ud-Din Shah. I mean, why should not I take my religion from an actor acting a scholar. I take so many medical advices from good actors playing doctors in movies. And ofcourse Shoaib Mansoor (the maker of movie Khuda ki liye) can not be biased showing only his point of view through movie, I am sure in the movie an issue would have been looked from all aspects and opinions, that are what movies about, discussing fiqhi issues.

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Shirtman

May 16, 2008 at 4:27 PM

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.

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Asim

May 16, 2008 at 4:56 PM

Shirtman,

More than one scholars have analyzed the root cause of Muslims’ suffering as their being away from the Deen. Had they been on the path of Allah, Allah would have helped them against their enemies. The Deen of Allah includes prohibitions against eating Haram foods and listening to Music. Leaving these (and other) sins aside is a certain long term solution for our woes as a nation. This does not preclude taking short term measures as well. Do you see a contradiction between a Muslim working hard for, say, securing civil rights for the Muslims in his country and at the same time being particular about observing the Do’s and Don’t’s of Islam in his day-to-day life? I don’t see any contradiction between the two. Both are necessary for our prosperity as an Ummah.

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Asim

May 16, 2008 at 5:13 PM

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).

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OM

May 16, 2008 at 5:18 PM

Hassan- that made me laugh bro! :D

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Asim

May 16, 2008 at 5:35 PM

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.

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Shirtman

May 16, 2008 at 5:35 PM

Asim,

Thank you for getting me started :). First of all I want to make it clear, that I am in no way criticizing this article.

Second of all, dos and donts are important, but in ISLAM we prioritize.

If someone is not praying then we don’t focus on the minor sins, we should focus on getting his big sins covered first and then go to the minor ones.

Third, I wanted to point out that issue Mcdonalds cheeseburgers and Music are not our priorities I am sorry, we don’t have this wonderful Islamic land where everything is strawberry shortcake and my little ponies, we live in a world where the Students of Knowledge should focus on the big pictures. Almost every time Islam is brought up the same issues are there Hij/Niqab, Music, Halal Meat ,TV isnt there anything more to our relgion (rehtorical)? Seriously, if one sits down and looks at all of the wonderful saying like the Book of Character by Ibn Hazm or the Principles of Fiqh or Maxims of Fiqh, that my friend is what will improve us, not arguing over a chicken nugget.

To answer your question I think a Muslim doing civil rights is 100 times better than a Muslim who will sit there and argue for 2 hours about a big mac being OK or not (period), the companions were very lenient in these types of matters, but we are not. Remember the issue of not praying until reaching Banu Quraydah. I am quite familiar with what the texts and Scholars say thank you very much, however, whether one likes it or not or thinks that the Ghazali-Ibn Hazm opinion is stronger, or the 4 Madhahib is stronger, that is not what I am trying to say. My point is at the end of the day, when we have not local, not national, but global problem, is it better to focus on the flute or the poor in our countries?

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- F. Wilmot
  
  April 19, 2014 at 10:18 PM
  
  Absolutely and we tend to focus on these minor issues.and some who face major issues do so in a very simplistic manner.
  
  Reply
Shirtman

May 16, 2008 at 5:38 PM

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 :).

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Asim

May 16, 2008 at 5:50 PM

mods: Please delete my last post (above); only wrote it because I thought my previous one did not go through…

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Siraaj Muhammad

May 16, 2008 at 5:50 PM

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

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Shirtman

May 16, 2008 at 5:55 PM

Siraaj,

Thank you for a wonderful response.

I am sure each and everyone of us can relate to what Mr. Ibn has said, and I beleive it was more geared toward the comments than the article. Reading through the debate, I simply get irritated that we have so many more issues that more important. If I took a percentage of th e Muslims who wake up for fajr let us say in the US what would we get? – I am sure it is the vast majority. If i took the number of people who are on the level of giving up Music what would we get? I am sure it is miinmal-thanks though.

See you around bud,

Shirtman

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Asim

May 16, 2008 at 6:04 PM

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.

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Shirtman

May 16, 2008 at 6:09 PM

The contradiction is that if their hearts are not attached to Allah then they will not even consider Music being haraam until that love of Allah is instiled. If you tell them their hearts are attached to music, well maybe they are addicted to music, but they need to first be at that level where they can UNDERSTAND why or how, I have done alot of preaching against music at the unversity and otherwise. Trust me on this one.

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Asim

May 16, 2008 at 6:51 PM

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…)

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Nasir Muzaffar

May 16, 2008 at 9:58 PM

JazakAllah Khairun ibnabeeomar for pointing out my mistake. Akhi you are absolutely right, it’s not wise to throw hammer all the time :)

I should have been more gentler in my approach as the sister is new in Islaam
(After reading from her blog right now I just realized that she only became Muslim last year)

I sincerely apologize for sounding a bit harsh.
{Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error…}

I hope Allah (SWT) gives her the emaan to get rid of music from her life .

I would like to reiterate that the view that music is permissible has no firm basis.
There are no two views on this matter as there is an ijma (consensus) amongst the reliable ulema on the prohibition of music.

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

<> 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:
<>

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)

<>
<>

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- ElvenInk
  
  April 19, 2014 at 11:17 PM
  
  Alcohol was not forbidden outright in Islam. The sahaba were slowly told how bad it is, told not to pray while drunk, etc, etc, until it was gradually out of their habits and systems and they were mentally prepared for the final ayah forbidding it outright. It’s nice to say “just do it once, no need to be gradual” but there are very good reasons why it was done gradually.
  
  Reply
Nasir Muzaffar

May 16, 2008 at 10:04 PM

(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..”

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Nasir Muzaffar

May 16, 2008 at 10:11 PM

One Last Correction :) :

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

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

(I accidentally wrote “smoking” instead of music)

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Hidaya

May 16, 2008 at 11:02 PM

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.

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Yus from the Nati

May 17, 2008 at 12:34 AM

Faiez:

I pawned them joints

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CuriousMuslimah

May 17, 2008 at 11:26 PM

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.

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ibn abdul jabbar

May 19, 2008 at 12:56 AM

the lecture made me cry…i pray to Allah to help me quit for gud…i have made the intention so many times..but i keep slipping…so i make it again..and i ask u all to pray for me as well. salaam

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Nasir Muzaffar

May 19, 2008 at 9:22 PM

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]

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AbdelRahman Murphy

May 21, 2008 at 2:06 PM

How about being addicted to Qur’an or to ‘ilm? We all know some people are, and that can’t be so bad! May Allah (swt) help us gain such an addiction.

Unless a person is so engrossed in ‘ilm or Qur’an that they neglect their families. Remember Imam An-Nawawi’s reason for not getting married, he was afraid that due to his line of work and study he would not be able to fulfill the rights of a wife and family. I know of brothers who are so focused on gaining knowledge and stuff (good characteristic) that they neglect their wives and families (bad characteristic).

It’s all about balance. :-)

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SaqibSaab

May 21, 2008 at 3:25 PM

Unless a person is so engrossed in ‘ilm or Qur’an that they neglect their families. I know of brothers who are so focused on gaining knowledge and stuff (good characteristic) that they neglect their wives and families (bad characteristic).

That would be an extreme. I was talking addiction to good stuff, particularly to the Qur’an and listening to lectures. Having your tongue wet with kitab Allah, and instead of listening to KissFM in the car downloading lectures and popping in CD series sets. Nothing along the lines of neglecting rights and duties… entirely different topic and big difference!

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Nasir Muzaffar

May 22, 2008 at 8:13 AM

For those who are able to read Urdu here are a couple of ebooks:

“The Ruling on Singing and Listening to Music and Qawwali” by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (r)
http://www.asliahlesunnet.com/files/qawwaali.pdf

What is the Ruling on Music and Singing? by Shaykh Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz (r)
http://www.asliahlesunnet.com/files/gaanamusic.pdf

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ibnabeeomar

May 27, 2008 at 2:20 AM

another very comprehensive resource:

http://www.al-inaam.com/fataawa/music_detailed.htm

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harxxn

May 28, 2008 at 8:41 PM

music
=m.u.sic
=makes.u.sic
=makes you sick !

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Maryam Bint Muhammad

June 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM

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!!!

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Anisa

June 11, 2008 at 3:06 AM

Asalaamu Alaiakum wa Rahmatullah

Masha’Allah, very good article, barakAllahu Feek brother
I went through the same experience, lol even the Soldiers of Allah bit, you think “oh they are Muslim,so therefore=halal”. I think people use that reasoning with Sami Yussuf, Yussuf Islam, DWA, etc.
It’s weird, I remember the day I erased all my music, like so cleary..maybe cause it’s such a good memory, brain doesn’t want to get reid of it!! Man…deleting gigabytes of the Quran of the Shaytan, Alhamdulilah I finally had the courage to go through with it!! Now my mp3 is full of Quran, a few instrument-free nasheeds and tons of lectures/videos!

and I agree this is one of the best lectures on music being haraam!! It’s up on youtube insha’ALLAH please send it to your friends, family, etc if they quit music, you get reward!! :)

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=RthlUOYkI7M

Any Muslim who listens to music reading this comment: go to your laptop/ipod/computer…click on your music folder/collection and hit DELETE!!! Do it now!!

Before that of course make the right intention!!
After, make dua to Allah to keep you firm

JazaakAllahum Khair

Wa’alaykum Asalaam wa Rahmatullah

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Siraaj Muhammad

June 11, 2008 at 11:29 AM

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

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muslimah4lyfe

August 11, 2008 at 4:46 PM

Alhamdulillah… i had written sometime back and i have still stayed away from music for the most part…
we all struggle… but i am staying strong this time…
i thought it’d be much harder than it has been… i feel like we make such a big hullabaloo out of things that we scare ourselves from even
any sort of change, before we even make it…

I ask that everyone here please continues to make dua’a for me…

For anyone here who is still struggling to give up music, i’d just say that i’ve felt for most things, going ‘cold turkey’ works best…

earlier, i had said that i was finding it hard to work out without music, but now alhamdulillah i don’t feel the “it” that i used to feel when i
listened to music…

music doesn’t seem to feel as amazing as it did back then…

so take each day at a time… or even each second, and keep urself in check… and insha’Allah, have faith, and Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala will make things easier for u, ameen!

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AbuZakariyya

August 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM

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.

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Ibrahim

September 22, 2008 at 12:07 PM

I am a former musician
I am a new muslim
music was my income
Now I am an English teacher
I stopped playing musical intruments
I have memorized few and short suraat

about music…
It will always be related to alcohol, drugs, mixing (genders)
If you download music…you might be STEALING, ROBBING
If you pay for it… you are helping to do wrong (since most of musicians spend it in alcohol, drugs, illegal intercourse, etc)
People get a shock when u tell them “I left music”, I get a shock when they say “I can’t live without it”…. is that adiction?

Allahu Akbar

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- Ukti Hajar
  
  February 16, 2016 at 5:07 AM
  
  Ibrahim, not true. I grew up in a household filled with music–only worshipping God. That was the only kind of music allowed in our house. Now, as a recent convert, I am having a great deal of trouble in a house full of silence. I have no will to learn Arabic or memorize Quran anymore. I am hoping as a former musician who has transitioned you have some advice?
  
  Also consider, I think most of you are men on here, so you get to busy your days with work and put your head elsewhere. As a woman at home with no kids yet, I feel like I am being tortured. I have no schedule, no distractions, nothing. Emptiness. I just want to be closer to God. I used to listen to lectures all day long, but the more I studied, the more rules I learned and now, only 7 months into Islam, I am paralyzed with fear. I feel like I can’t do anything! I stopped listening to lectures because I couldn’t bear learning one more rule.
  
  I just want to be close to God. Why is this so hard? Everyone says Islam is supposed to be easy.
  
  Reply
Shirtman

October 13, 2008 at 5:48 PM

Ibrahim great point!

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Shirtman

October 13, 2008 at 5:49 PM

– But could’nt we say the same about Movie stars?

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Hamdi

October 13, 2008 at 6:10 PM

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

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shiza

January 12, 2009 at 2:12 PM

as salaama alikum,
Allah has placed a furqan in all our hearts, if u honestly ask yourself abou music, we all know just like we do about everything else that is wrong, that it is indeed haraam, there are plenty ahadith that deal with this issue clearly, there is no debate!
my request however is from all my muslim bro’s and sisters there is a hadith a jist of which is that on the day of Qiyamah all those muslims who left music for the sake of Allah will be placed on sweet smelling boulders and the angels will surround them singing the Asm-ul-husna in a most beautiful voice. Does anyone know the refernce of this hadith, i would be much obliged if anyone could answer my query.
jazak Allah.

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ASincereTruthSeeker

April 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM

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

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- Amad
  
  April 8, 2009 at 4:13 PM
  
  jazakAllahkhair “AsincereTruthseeker” for your thoughtful and rich comment.
  
  Reply
J

April 8, 2009 at 11:22 PM

lol @ Khuda Ke liye. That movie was full of straw man arguments.

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IlmQuest

April 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM

As-salamauikum,

Brother J, I couldn’t agree more. Khuda Ke Liye was really an awful movie and after watching it, I started thinking how many Pakistani brothers and sisters would be mislead by it, especially on the music topic.

The part which annoyed me the most was when the guy who went back to music and the muazzin of the masjid were both calling the azaan at the same time…

EPIC FAIL

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Jalal

June 5, 2009 at 10:59 PM

So singing even Nasheed is haram or makruh? i wont be upset if yes, time is precious. and many are exagerating with nasheeds.

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Jalal

June 5, 2009 at 11:39 PM

okay, i watched it nearly full now. my question is answered.

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AsimG

June 6, 2009 at 1:08 AM

alhamadillah my life is better off without music,
BUT

I lost my motivation to work out.

I don’t want to advertise music here but listening to “I run for life” makes you run crazy fast.

Man I can remember all the songs that made me go faster and faster. Even when my feet were bleeding and my toenails were coming off, that music kept me going.

SubhanAllah if I only I could have that drive back :( Qur’an, nasheeds and lectures are just too different.

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AsimG

June 6, 2009 at 1:12 AM

what i wouldn’t give back for the motivation to work out.

Anything but displeasing Allah of course :)

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- Jalal
  
  June 6, 2009 at 6:10 PM
  
  i just replied to you downwards
  
  Reply
Jalal

June 6, 2009 at 4:32 PM

@ AsimG Salamu alaikum
this is becuase you need something to fill the gap maybe. you should seek some knowledge to get the motivation. what motivated me to get started learning java, speed reading going through the learn quranic arabic series and watching darz and taking notes, make physical workout etc was all due to knowledge.

i show you some things. for education and stuff you should watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHtyWsPFrMQ&feature=related
really motivating, Mister H the Hero, masha Allah.
then this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQRZocj0CL8
to learn how to keep learning effectively, note the story wiht the man and that drop of water.

so to you problem, you could for example get some knowledge of the Mujadhidin:
for example: http://www.islamsgreen.org/islams_green/2006/06/the_toughness_o.html
better than dragon ball :) and its real ! really motivating!

Salamu alaikum

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Jalal

June 6, 2009 at 4:54 PM

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

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Shazza

June 18, 2009 at 5:49 AM

SubhanAllah!

I had the exact same experience with Music and Quran, Only I didn’t drive back then, I’d listen to it on my CD player, alternate between Music and Quran and it felt SO wrong!

Alhamdulilah, the CD’s hit the bin and my heart got stuck onto the Quran. :)

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Nader

July 28, 2009 at 4:25 PM

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

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- abu abdAllah Tariq Ahmed
  
  July 30, 2009 at 9:35 AM
  
  “the root cause of all the problems in the Muslim Ummah is…”
  
  …what is behind the playing and listening to music that is so common among Muslims — for one group it may be disobedience to the Command of Allah, for another group the arrogance of deprecating or finding trivial the Command of Allah and His Messenger sull Allaho alayhi wa sallam, and for many more it is the ignorance that many claim as an excuse for not learning their deen.
  
  Reply
Ifrah

November 8, 2009 at 7:37 AM

Assalamualaykum brother..
This was a beautiful reminder.. Even I believe that the sermon The End of Music is really awesome..
JazakAllah Khair for sharing..
May Allah SWT help the Muslim Ummah recognize the evil of music and stand firm by the Qur’an..

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aboudeh

August 14, 2010 at 10:38 PM

i worship this man because someone i knoe heard this and erased 100 songs on her phone and then wore the scarf

THANKYOU

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- Sayf
  
  August 14, 2010 at 11:48 PM
  
  You worship Allah alone, you just admire shaykh kamal’s work =D}.
  Generally scholars will tell you they prefer people to make dua for them rather than praise them.
  
  Reply
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Menatolla

December 11, 2010 at 6:51 PM

mashallah. i loved the poem and the story, i hope allah can put the faith and takwahh to do this… this article really changed my perspective, gasa allahu khair..

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F. Wilmot

April 19, 2014 at 10:11 PM

http://islamictext.wordpress.com/on-music-and-singing-fatwa-by-shaykh-yusuf-al-qaradawi/ I think Yusuf Qardawi has a more balanced view.

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Shahrukh Anwer

January 27, 2016 at 9:36 PM

|I went up to my computer and deleted about 20 GB of mp3 files, and sold off a collection of around 200+ albums at a used CD store (though I have since come to find that money was probably not halal to take)|
You should have shredded those CDs into pieces using CD shredder since you are helping those who buy them at the CD store. Watch the short film ‘WHY I LEFT MUSIC SHORT FILM’ #RunFromFire in which he burns his ticket.

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Ukti Hajar

February 16, 2016 at 4:39 AM

I agree with this article, and I have given up music several months ago, but I also have two questions (bear with me as I am still new to Islam converting last year at 31 years old):

1) When I studied history of civilizations, one thing that was always stressed is that flourishing art and music are the first signs of peace amongst a people, and every people throughout time have their own unique art and music (and food!). As something so inherent to us naturally, I have a difficult time wrapping my head around this. I grew up Christian, VERY involved, and I was only allowed to listen and play songs of worship. They made me love God with all my heart and I still attribute where I am now to all of that. My personal journey with God was filled with praises to Him! Hymns of gratitude and repentance were always on my lips. It was when I started listening to secular music that I fell away from God.

Now, with no music, I feel at times, blocked. All I want is just to praise God from a most heartfelt place, but since music is the most heartfelt place I know…I am just silent instead. I was so happy to convert to Islam. Then….all these rules…and…it feels like God has been put in a locked box on a shelf out of my reach. Is it really better to not praise Him at all? If this is so good for me, why am I so depressed and sad and far from God now? I’m very lost.

2) Most of the comments here are older people choosing to leave music behind. I am terrified how I am going to raise our kids with no music??? No learning a musical instrument (no matter how much its proven to improve brain function and elasticity), no learning songs to help you better your studies, no…no…no. Anyone have any ideas on this? Because I sure don’t.

Please help.

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