Music in Islam

 Introduction

Since time immemorial, the issue of music has been debated by various sectors of the Muslim world. Both sides in the debate have brought their proofs and arguments with the hope of making the other side see "the light" and thus bring an end to this time consuming dilemma.

It is not the purpose of this short article to bring all the evidence in regards to the ruling of Allah جل جلاله and His Prophetصلى الله عليه و آله وسلم in regards to music; rather, we will suffice with the minimum, with the hopes that Insha-Allah, it will help and guide the Muslims - especially the youth - to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong.

Before discussing the ruling of music, a few of the Islamic (Arabic) terms must be defined that are constantly referred to in this article, in the different ahādīth and in the various books of Ahkam. These include the following:

Playing instruments of music is a great Sin. It is haram to play instruments such as the guitar, piano, tambourine, drums etc. Listening to music is also a great sin. Music as a great sin is reported by Faql ibn Sha'qan from Imam 'Ali ibn Musa ar-Rida عليه السلام :

"And to be engrossed in musical instruments is also one of the great sins."

All the Mujtahids are unanimous in their opinion that the manufacturing, selling and purchasing of musical instruments is haram (forbidden) and any income derived from musical activity is also haram. The transactions involving these (instruments) are invalid (bātil). It is haram to keep instruments of music in one's possession - it is obligatory to destroy them. This is revealed in a lengthy tradition from Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq عليه السلام , as recorded in the book "Tuhaf al-'Uqul". Similarly, Shaykh Hurr al-Amuli (the compiler of the famous collection of hadith entitled Wasa'il ash-Shi'a) records the following tradition from Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq عليه السلام :

"The Almighty Allah has prohibited the manufacturing of all such things that are exclusively used in haram ways; and things that only create evil such as the pipe, flute, chess and all types of instruments of gambling, images and statues. The manufacturing of all such articles is haram."

The Imam عليه السلام concluded, "Thus even learning to sing or play music, teaching it, to be paid for these things, or to be in any way engrossed in these vices is haram."

Some more traditions prohibiting music are given below.

Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq reports from the Holy Prophet Muhammad that he said: "I prohibit for you dancing and playing flute and drums." (Al-Kafi)

The Holy Prophet also said: "The Almighty Allah has sent me as a mercy to the worlds and to guide the people. He ordered me to eradicate the playing of flute, other instruments of music, all games of vice, idol (worship) and all practices of the days of ignorance." (Mustadrakul Wasa'il, Chapter 79)

Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq says: "A person who has received blessings from Allah and while having these blessings, he plays the flute, it is as if he has been thankless of the blessings." (Wasail ash-Shi'a)

Let us remember that every moment of our lives, we are enjoying Allah's unlimited benevolence.

"When Adam (peace be upon him) passed away, Iblis and Qabil (the son of Adam) were delighted. They both gathered on the Earth and Iblis and Qabil used a Ma'azif (stringed instrument - violin, guitar, piano, etc.) and the Malahiyah (any type of musical instrument) to rejoice on the death of Adam (peace be upon him). Thus, whatever types of instruments are on the Earth that people derive pleasure from are from these instruments (that they had first used).