Music and Islam

The worst sin is the one committed and refusing to believe it to be unlawful. In the opposite situation however a person commits a sin believing that a sin is being committed and feels regret and remorse in the heart. The case with music and unlawful singing is the same. In recent years the issue of Music has been the subject of grave importance and extremely significant issue. It has been strictly prohibited in Shariah, yet there are Muslims who deny believing that it is haram. Many Muslims are afflicted with music and are daily confronted by a situation where they are forced to listen to music whether by choice or without it. Music is being played everywhere: the malls, markets, cars blaring music, universities, homes. This increasing popularity of music poses a threat to the Muslims who are clearly asked not to listen to it. Music is a useless source of entertainment. It’s a ploy by the non-Muslims to deviate Muslims from their religious beliefs. The western society has engaged itself in this rubbish activity and they want to take others along with them too. One hadith confirms unlawfulness of music and singing: 

“There will be people of my Ummah who will seek to make lawful; fornication, wine-drinking and the use of ma`aazif (musical instruments).”

The arabic word `ma`aazif ` shows that it refers to musical instruments, the sounds of those musical instruments and singing with the accompaniment of instruments.  Closer analysis of the wordings of the Hadith establishes the prohibition of music. Firstly, the words `seek to make lawful ` shows that music is not permissible, as logically one can only seek to make lawful that which is not allowed. Secondly, if music was not prohibited, then it would not have been brought within the same context as fornication and wine-drinking. Islam totally forbids adultery and also those things that lead to it. Allah Most High says: “And do not come near to adultery, for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road (to other evils)” (al-Isra, 32). Islam does not only prohibit adultery and fornication, but also those things that may lead to it.

There are great harms and ill-effects of music on the person listening to it. Research and experimental studies have shown that not only music directly affects the brain but other organs of the body as well. Music and bodily movements are closely associated. People listening to music automatically start tapping their fingers and feet, as if the music is permeating in their blood. Music also effects the emotions like it causes alertness, excitement and depression. Music is often perceived as a form of pleasure and time pass but rather it teaches the message of love, fornication, drugs and freedom.