Are you used to listening to music? Or want to listen to music? That’s why you want to know – is music haram? Many others like you are asking this question.
For all, we have a complete discussion on the provisions of music in Islam in this comprehensive article. So you should read it carefully.
In this article, you will know – Is Music Haram? Why is music forbidden? What kind of music is halal? Opinions of Islamic scholars. Review of Qur’an-Hadith.
So by reading this article, you will get a complete idea about music in Islam. So read and enrich your knowledge.
Is music Haram in Islam?
Generally speaking, music is not Haram. Many such instances are found where songs were performed in the early days of Islam in front of our beloved Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.
Though the Companions went to war, songs were sung to encourage the fighting forces.
In the Muslim society of that time, songs were performed to celebrate marriages. From there, it can be understood that music is not Haram in Islam.
However, in some cases, such words or elements are added to the song, which is bound to be Haram.
That is why many Islamic scholars have categorically declared music as Haram.
However, due to extensive research on music, several Islamic researchers are saying that music is not Haramin general. However, certain types of songs are Haram.
Except for these songs, all other pieces are halal. We are discussing this step by step in our article.
Quranic guidance on music in Islam
No verse of the Holy Qur’an explicitly declares music as Haram in Islam; A poem is ambiguously interpreted in the lyrics.
The translation of that verse is – There is a class of people who collect incoherent speech to mislead people from the path of Allah and mock it (Islam) blindly. (Surah Luqman verse – 6)
Al-Wahidi – Radiyallahu Anhu – and other commentators explain in this verse that the word ‘ Lahaul hadith’ means music.
However, every sane person will be bound to understand that this verse does not make singing haram.
Because the Arabic of the song is ‘Agniyyah,’ but the verse says ‘Lahaul Hadith,’ which means – useless talk.
Vain words and songs are not the same things. Some categories of songs in the song may contain explicit, lewd language.
Verses such as these may be intended. However, all kinds of music cannot be the intention here.
Our claim is more clearly proved if we look at the verses that follow this verse.
The next verse says that when My verses were recited to him, he arrogantly turned away as if he did not hear them.
As if he has deafness in both ears. So give him the glad tidings of a terrible punishment. (Surah Luqman, verse 7)
Hadith guidance on music in Islam
Now let us discuss hadith about music. He narrated under Abdur Rahman Ibn Ghanam Ash’ari (RA). He said Abu Amir or Abu Malik Ash’ari described to me. By God! He never lied to me.
He heard the Prophet – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – say: Among my Ummah, there will surely arise some groups who consider adultery, silk cloth, wine, and musical instruments lawful. (Sahih Bukhari – 5590)
In another hadith, Rasulullah – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – said,
When my Ummah engages in these fifteen things, calamity (Doomsday) will befall them. It was asked, what are they, O Messenger of God?
he said,
- When spoils become personal wealth.
- Deposits will become loot.
- Zakat will be considered acceptable.
- Men will be loyal to their wives.
- Sons will be disobedient to their mothers.
- They will behave well with their friends.
- However, they will misbehave with the father.
- The mosque will be noisy.
- A man of the worst character will be the leader of his community.
- A person will be respected only for fear of evil.
- Alcohol will be consumed.
- Silk cloth will be worn.
- Singers and musical instruments will be in vogue.
- The people of the last age of the Ummah will curse the people of the first age. (Tirmidhi 2210)
What type of music is Haram?
If we put the descriptions of the Quran and Hadith side by side, we can conclude that the songs with the following characteristics are Haram.
We are discussing the types of music in Haram in a step-by-step list form below.
- If the song contains words that conflict with Islam or are against Islamic Shari’a. For example, many Hindi songs have phrases such as – Tuhi mere Rab, Tuhi mere sab, or chur do Khodau Chur du Moy Tere Liye. Then it cannot be heard.
- Suppose the song insults Allah or the Prophet, which cannot be heard. For example, some content and pieces created by atheists deny Allah or denigrate Rasulullah.
- If the lyrics hurt the honour of a person’s community or country, it is not permissible to listen to them.
- Moreover, If the song describes the beauty of a woman or if vulgar words and phrases are propagated.
- However, if musical instruments are used, there is room for discussion on the compulsion.
- No female voice in the song. If women sing the song, then the music will not be halal because of the female voice because the Qur’an prohibits women from speaking attractively to strangers, and it creates spiritual diseases in men’s minds.
- No pointless talk in the song. Because idle talk only wastes time and leads to no good results. In that verse of the Holy Qur’an, idle talk is prohibited by “Lahwal Hadith.”
These are the fundamental aspects of music. All other songs except this are halal. Whether it is composed and performed by a Muslim or a Kafir.
What kind of music is Halal in Islam?
Music with good lyrics is always acceptable, even though one can gain eternal reward in the afterlife.
For example, if the sanctity of Allah Subhanataala is declared in an association. Alternatively, our Messenger – may Allah bless and grant him peace – is made with greatness. Then it is possible to get rewards through these songs.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad – may Allah bless and grant him peace – migrated from Makkah to Madinah. Then the boys and girls of Medina performed a song to welcome him. That song is ‘Tala Al Badru Alaina’
Once, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was invited to a wedding ceremony. Then the little girls sang many kirtans of the martyrs of the battle of Badr in front of the Prophet.
In that song, they mentioned a sentence: ” Among us, there is a prophet who knows what tomorrow will do.
At that time, the Messenger of Allah – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – forbade the girls to say only the sentence, “There is a Prophet among us who knows what will happen tomorrow.” However, it did not forbid them to sing.
Opinions of Islamic Scholars
We are attaching the opinion of one of the scholars of Islam. Where they say music is halal.
- The opinion of the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawqi Alam.
- Fatwas from the National Fatwa Council of Turkey.
- Ayatollah Khamenei’s statement.
- Fatwa of Imam Al Kabbani of the Great Mosque of Makkah.
- Fatwa of Jordanian Mufti Sheikh Abu Yas.
- According to Shaikh Ahmed Kuti (Lecturer at the University of Toronto).
- Al-Azhar scholar Omar Gabriel’s hadith list and conclusions.
- The statement of Shaykh Muhammad Ali al-Hantu.
- Fatwa of Shaykh Yahya (Director of Al Maqasid Islamic Seminary).
Why is music Haram?
Some of the songs that have been banned are based on elements that destroy human morals, or that call for crime, or call for promiscuous sex.
In answer to why Islamic music haram, we can say, in fact, from our complete discussion above, it is clear that music is not Haram in Islam.
Islam has given a rule of music. If someone makes music by following its rules, then his music will never become Haram, But the songs that go outside this rule will be forbidden.
Because his songs will be profane, there will be sexual activity. Other people will continue to be degraded. Allah Subhanatala will be rejected, and Rasul will be insulted.
These are Islamic rules, and human common sense demands they are prohibited. Islam is man’s natural religion; therefore, no law is imposed here that is outside of human nature.
All laws are imposed considering the welfare of the people. Islam has forbidden that type of music, creating chaos and unrest.
Is it Haram to listen to music at night?
It does not matter if you listen to music at night or during the day. Listening to haram music at any time will be Haram, And listening to halal music will be halal.
However, it would help if you did not listen to music at night. At night especially during periods. At this time, one should focus on worshipping Allah, and it is not good to listen to music then. Moreover, there are many useless things in music that waste time.
Recitation can be heard while sleeping at night without listening to music. Recitation the Quran is much better than listening to music.