In Islam - Why is it that some Muslims believe that listening to music is haram?

Question

I am a Muslim, I'm struggling to understand why some Muslims believe that listening to music is haram.... I personally don't believe this at all.

Thanks :)

Answer 1

Not some Muslims but the Prophet Mohammad PBUH told us that Music is haraam.

Hadhrat Naafi' (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates: "Once when Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) heard the sound of a shepherd's flute, he placed his fingers in both ears (to block the sound of the music), and he diverted his mount from that path. (As they rode o­n), he would say: 'O Naafi', can you still hear (the sound)?' I would say: 'Yes.' He would then continue riding. o­nly when I said: 'I can no longer hear it', did he remove his fingers from his ears. Then he returned to the road. He then said: 'I saw Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) doing like this when he had heard the flute of a shepherd." (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)

Answer 2

Music could become haram if it made you forget your obligation to Allah or families or yourself. Or if slowly it brainwash you to believe in something else beside the god; if not, then ii is halal.

Answer 3

You are 100% right. Y not music as log as not blasfeme.

Answer 4

Hadhrat Ali Bin Abi Taalib (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "When my Ummah indulges in fifteen misdeeds, calamities will settle o*n them. Among these are singing girls and musical instruments." (Tirmizi)

Sahl Bin Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "There will befall this Ummat earthquakes, disfigurement of faces and showers of stones.' It was said: 'O Rasulullah! When will this happen?' Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: 'When singing girls become in profusion and liquor is made lawful." (Ibn Maajah)

Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Verily, Allah has made haraam liquor, gambling, the musical drum, and every intoxicant is haraam." (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Baihqi, etc.)

As far as Quran says that:

Qur’an 64:12 “So obey Allah, and obey His Messenger (Muhammad)

That means that if the Prophet told us that Music or any other thing is Haraam, then it is haraam.

Answer 5

Assalamu Alaikum,

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Prophet's one Hadith says music makes people lazy.  But he never said listening Music or Playing Musical instrument is HARAM.  

There is also an incident recorded in history books that one time at an wedding occasion some females were singing song and playing Daff  which is small hand carry drum.  Prophet Mohammad saw and Hazrat Abu Bakar were passing in the street.  Abu Bakr said to the girls stop singing because he heard Prophet saw saying music make people lazy.    Then Prophet SAW  said, No don't stop them. It is happy occasion.  So based on these two statements of Rasoolallah Muslim Scholars say that we are not allowed to play or listen  any instrument except Daf.  

This argument is illogical to me. Let me tell you that I am not a scholar though I am 65 years old,  and have been a practicing Muslim and reader of Islam studies all my life and have good knowledge of Islam.  I am also able to think with critical analysis.  I  say why only Daf and no other instrument.   Arabs didn't have any other instrument like the modern music instrument  we see today. If there were all the current instruments available at the time of Rasoolallah, it is possible that he may have allowed many more instruments of today. Calling all instruments except Daf  is illogical by the Mullahs.  And we know most Mullah can't think logically. We know they are not too bright.   If they were bright, their parents would have made them doctors and engineer and not Mullah/Molvee what ever call them.

I am fan of Dr. Israr Ahamd.  I  have downloaded all his lectures he ever recorded and his entire Bayanul Quran - the Tafseer of entire Quran  he had recorded many years ago during the month of Ramazan.  I have listen all his lectures over and over  as I downloaded them once onto my hard driver.  I have learned a great deal of the meanings of Quran from Dr. Israr Ahmad.  I believe he is more knowledgeable in the knowledge of Quran than all the top Molvees of Pakistan. Be is highly intelligent. He can critically analysis on every topic.  His explanations of  Quran and Prophet life is all based on intelligent thinking.

Dr. Israr Ahmad's opinion about music is  based on the absence of  solid Prohibition from the lips of Rasoolallah. He never said it is Haram.   Dr Sahab says  if music is soft, slow and soothing to our ears and it it is relaxing and enoyable to our  soul, makes us feel good, then  there is no harm listening to it.  If the music if too loud  as today's western music or as it is called pop music what todays  boys play in Pakistan which excites the youngsters, they jump, shout and dance like crazy people do in wesern music oncerts,  then Muslim must not listen.  Because as Rasoolallah said music make people lazy.  We know those youngster interested in moden music,  want not to study but listen that stupid music, dance and act wild and crazy.  The music lovers have a typical personality.  They wear more weird clothes, they involve in all kinds of smokes, marijuana and drugs.  All youngsters buy concert tickets paying as much as $100 US dollars to be in concerts of rock stars and try to copy life style of Rock Stars of west.   The Pakistani pop singers  all

lengthen their hair like women  and dance on stage like Shatan has mesmerized them.  Certainly this music makes them do crazy things. It makes them abnormal.  If scholars say listening western music is  Haram,  I must agree with them  and  save our children from this kind of music. Todays Pakistani pop singers are disgrace to me to our culture and values taught by our religion Islam.

When I was growing up in Pakistan in fifties and sixties, we used to have people who sang Gazals with slow rythematical music.  We never jumped and screamed and felt relaxed and emotionally touched by the words of Gazals.  Either these Gazals were to glorify Allah, Rasoolallah and Auwliyas  or  these were directed towards the beloved (male or female).  Most people used to say wah wah in appreciation but none really jumped and screamed or started dancing.  None of that craped.  Few boys who didn't understand those Gazals did try to be nuisance by saying loudly wah wah to make fun of others who understood and appreciated the Gazals. Such kids were often kicked out of the hall.

Unfortunately now in Pakistan  that Cultural Art is vanished and today the music Pakistani singers play is very replusive to me.  I say the music played in sixties was not haram but todays music should be called Haram  though I am not an authority to say such a thing.  Younger generation is grown up listening this c**p, so they will cntinue listening it.  Music is something one learns to love  what ever kind it is.

I believe  Rasoolallah must not have stopped a relaxing music with meaningful words used in singing with it.  He used to like to listen poetry, though he himself was not poet.

But there was one poet  who often read his poetry glorifying the qualities of Rasoolallah and on religious points  and Rasoolallah neve stopped him to sing the poetry.

These are my views.   Now you can make your own mind.

May Allah guide us to the right path of Islam all our life, forgive our sins, save us from h**l fire.  This is all I ask from Allah.   Wassalam,  Abdul-Majeed.

Answer 6

I am not muslim but perhaps its the lyrics in the music and the type of music..

for example most rapping songs are about guns and s*x..

Answer 7

I did some research about it  months ago, and yes, there are many evidences that music is  haraam. Not only the lyrics, but the musical instruments themselves. Singing without instruments is allowed. It is a controversial question though. Personally I try to stay away from it.

Answer 8

Who ever told you that is the evil itself!

There's no such thing in the Qu'ran are you just kidding?

Do you think that the creator of the universe (or most intelligent being in the universe) can say such a stupid thing?

Just be logic. Not thinking and believing to everything that is said is the greatest sins not only in Islam but in every religion.

Just listen whatever you want, just don't do anything harmful to the nature and to people and animals. That's enough.

PS. God give your brain to you for thinking so don't take c**p from anyone!

And if it was haram would there be loads of Islamic music that you hear every where?

I also forgot to tell that I read Qu'ran twice! (In English and Turkish)

I keep adding and adding but: I play 4 instruments that means I'm going to burn like crazy (so stupid) :)))

Adding one more thing:

If you are really a strong Muslim and then you must follow what the book says. It says s*x without marriage is not tolerated, also stealing and lot's of bad things. If you think that todays music contains such lyrics in it then don't listen to those music. But you can definitely listen to classical or other kinds of music that doesn't include those things.

Plus the countries governed with shariat has TV and they play music on it everyday without forbidding the channel. If there was such a sin they would be the one who forbids the channel first.

Just because of these stupid people that makes these things up the whole world hates Islam. And I guess the people who makes Islam look like a bad religion will burn not me...

Think of these and you'll find the answer.

Have a wonderful day.

Answer 9

well i posted this question too

and i dont think music is haram once it does not have words which send out a bad message and if the music keeps u away from Allah SWT...then it is haram

Answer 10

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ

((And there are among men, those that purchase idle tales, to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and throw ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment)) (Surah Luqmaan:6)

The scholars of Tafseer have stated that ‘Idle Talk’ refers to music and singing. ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (رضي الله عنه) swore by Allaah three times about this verse being in reference to Music,

فقال عبد اللّه بن مسعود: الغناء، واللّه الذي لا إله إلا هو، يردها ثلاث مرات

((By Allaah, of who there is nothing worthy of worship except Him, its meaning is Music)) and he said this three times.

Sunan al-Bayhaqee (1/233), Tafseer Ibn Katheer, al-Haakim, Mustadrak (2/411)

This saying has also been narrated from many others amongst the salaf as-Saalih, such as Ibn ‘Abbaas (رضي الله عنه) who said ,

عن بن عباس في هذه الآية { من يشتري لهو الحديث } قال نزلت في الغناء وأشباهه

((This verse- And those who purchase Idle Talks- was revealed for music, singing and the like.))

Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/221 and Musannaf Ibn abi Shayba, 132/5

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is reported to have said,

النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازف ولينزلن أقوام إلى جنب علم يروح عليهم بسارحة لهم يأتيهم لحاجة فيقولون ارجع إلينا غدا فيبيتهم الله ويضع العلم ويمسخ آخرين قردة وخنازير إلى يوم القبامة

((Among my Ummah there will certainly be people who permit zinaa, silk, alcohol and musical instruments…)) until the end of the hadeeth.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari ta’leeqan, no. 5590; narrated as mawsool by al-Tabaraanee and al-Bayhaqee; Ibn Maajah (4010). See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 91

Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalaanee stated in his introduction to his explanation of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree,

وأنه لا يورد فيه إلا حديثا صحيحا

((He did not place in it except the authentic Hadeeth))

Introduction of al-Fath-ul Baaree of Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalaanee

Shaykhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said,

فدل هذا الحديث على تحريم المعازف‏.‏ والمعازف هي آلات اللهو عند أهل اللغة وهذا اسم يتناول هذه الآلات كله

((This hadeeth indicates that ma'aazif are Haraam, and ma’aazif means musical instruments according to the scholars of (Arabic) language. This word includes all such instruments.))

al-Majmoo’ al Fataawa, 11/535

al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer stated:

وأنكر ابن الصلاح على ابن حزم رده حديث الملاهي حيث قال فيه البخاري "وقال هشام بن عمار"

((And Ibnus Salaah denounced Ibn Hazm for his refutation of the hadeeth of music where Imaam al-Bukhaaree said "and Hishaam bin 'Amaar said"))

al-Baa'ith al-Hatheeth Sharh Ikhtisaar 'Uloom al-Hadeeth page 35

al-Haafidh al-'Iraaqee said:

هذا الحديث حكمه الإتصال، لأن هشام بن عمار من شيوخ البخاري حدَّث عنه بأحاديث... والحديث متصل من طرق: من طريق هشام وغيره

((This Hadeeth takes the ruling of being connected, because Hishaam bin 'Ammaar is from the Shuyookh (teachers) of al-Bukhaaree and he narrated from him ahaadeeth… and the Hadeeth is connected from paths: from the way of Hishaam and other than him.))

Sharh at-Tabsirah wat-Tadhkirah

Some of the 'Ulemaa have reported Ijmaa' upon the prohibition of Music such as Ibn Rajab in his book, "Nazhatal Asmaa' fee Masaa'ilat as-Samaa'" where he quoted al-Aajurree saying:

وقد حكى أبو بكر الآجري وغيره إجماع العلماء على ذلك

((And Aboo Bakr al-Aajurree and other than him ruled a consensus of the Ulemaa upon that))

Nazhatal Asmaa' fee Masaa'ilat as-Samaa' p. 3

Abee Tayyib at-Tabaree also said:

أما مالك بن أنس فإنه نهى عن الغناء وعن استماعه … وهو مذهب سائر أهل المدينة

((As for Maalik bin Anas, then he prohibited music/singing and listening to it… and this is the Madhhab of the rest of the people of Madeenah))

Abee Tayyib at-Tabaree also said:

لا يجوز الغناء ولا سماعه ولا الضرب بالقضيب ، قال ومن أضاف إلى الشافعي هذا فقد كذب عليه

((Music/Singing is not permissible, nor is listening to it nor is hitting the bars, and whoever ascribes that to ash-Shaafi'ee has lied upon him))

Talbees Iblees (282)

Imaam Aboo Haneefah is also reported as saying:

أن الغناء حرام في جميع الأديان

((Music/singing is Haraam according to all the religions))

Roohul Ma'aanee of al-Aloosee (21/67)

Ibnul Qayyim also reported:

والشافعي وقدماء أصحابه ، والعارفون بمذهبه من أغلظ الناس قولا في ذلك

((And ash-Shaafi'ee and his elder companions and those who were knowledgeable of his Madhhab were from the harshest people in speaking against music))

Ighaathatul Lahfaan (350)

Answer 11

You have to believe all Islamic laws..... If you want to be a real Muslim

How do Muslims regard entertainments?

Islam, while allowing all entertainments that cheer one’s mind and body, strictly states that they should not transgress the limits. Islam detests all those pleasures which keep man away from the consciousness of God and those that cause moral degeneration..

http://www.inter-islam.org/Prohibitions/...

Answer 12

It is according to hadith. Islam is not what you personally believes in.

Answer 13

To those respected answerers (Jesus was a Prophet) and (Happily Happy):

Just as there are Ahadith talking about music in a negative sense, there are also others not prohibiting it. You know very well the Hadith in which two Ansari girls (I think) were in the house of the prophet (pbuh) singing for Aisha and when the prophet (pbuh) came back, Aisha told them to stop singing but the prophet (pbuh) allowed them to continue. I don't know if I narrated it in the exact way it is but it is something like that.

Anyways, I, personally, don't wanna get attached to it (music) much because we might classify it as something uncertain or doubtful and the Qur'an tells us to stay away from the doubtful. But, again, we might not classify it as uncertain so I don't wanna give a fatwa here.

Answer 14

Because they say it is an evil act. But i guess it really depends on how we listen and take the lyrics of the songs.

Answer 15

Brother Abul Haarith and brother Donald gave some excellent Hadeeths that clarify music as haram.

Sis, in Islam you can't just pick and choose what you want to believe in and vice versa.

Take a look at this quote in this question: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

''There is no liberalism in religion, you either submit to Gods will or ridicule yourself by saying i believe in God and act with ignorance.''

I myself along with many other people have experienced the bad effects that music has when you listen to it. For e.g. becoming lazy and wasting time, if you had intention to do something good afterwards, you most likely will not do it as it just kinda strays you away..

=)

Answer 16

To be fair, there are so many people out there as hypocrites who pick up the 'nitty gritty' details in Islam, like what length a man's beard should be, 3 fingers or four and whether simply saying pig is haraam when they smoke all the drugs under the sun and commit all kinds of sins!

I believe whatever you do, it is your intention behind it. If you intend to copy music which is classed as 'violent' then that's ur intention. Its the same for people who listen to Sami Yusuf, Yousaf Islam etc...I listen to them to get a better knowledge of Islam and Allah (SWT) and Prophet (PBUH). Its your intention at the end of the day...gud luck !

Answer 17

hmm i won't give you a full answer but just response to one of the things you said.

>>>Many Muslims do use musical instruments to praise the name of Allah (S.W.S)... I though music is embodied in Islam<<<

Allah only accepts what is pure.  

For a thing to be allowed, its' means has to be allowed also.  Just because the name of Allah is being mentioned doesn't make a haraam into halaal.

For example, we know alcohol is haraam, so if someone drinks it and calls on Allah all day long, does that bring him any benefit?

We don't just "think" our own ways and conclude a thing of the religion, when it has already been concluded for us.  

Please do a full research on the proofs of it being halaal and proofs of it being haraam.  And be honest in the search so you make an unbiased search and a good decision inshallah.  While searching making dua to Allah to guide you to the correct way is a good idea also.

from what James said: this hadeeth had a typo...

"There shall be those from among my nation who consider fornication, the use of alcohol and the use of musical instruments, HALAAL."

Answer 18

"There shall be those from among my nation who consider fornication, the use of alcohol and the use of musical instruments, haram". Hadith

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 19

According to Quran it is haram.But there are many things in Islam which are haram but in the modern world we don't follow because its simply backward and unrealistic.

Religious fanatics would tell you that you have to believe every single thing but if you want to be a modern decent Muslim, you have to use your brains a little bit more and be realistic and modern instead of just blindly follow backward practices.

Edit:It seems like there are many modern and realistic people here lol!

All I have to say is Music generally in Islam is haram, its whether you want to be backward and not listen to music or be modern, listen to music and enjoy life.

Answer 20

a lot of people get joy that isnt from god out of music. seen as a bit decadent.

Answer 21

I'm a muslim and my aunt told me that string insturments are haram, and she told me a hadeeth that says so, but drums aren't haram because there are no strings