ISLAM AND MUSIC

The desire for music is so strong in humans that even Saudi Arabia’s national anthem is played using musical instruments, despite the warnings of one or two hadtiths. Some Muslims believe that Music is prohibited and sinful in Islam; this belief is held by some non - Muslims, as well.

The period of Islamic music begins with the advent of Islam about 610 CE. Islamic music is characterized by a highly subtle organization of melody and rhythm, in which the vocal component predominates over the instrumental. It is based on the skill of the individual artist, who is both composer and performer and who benefits from a relatively high degree of artistic freedom.

Classical Islamic music is the aristocratic music of the court and the upper class, which underwent development and modification in the hands of gifted musicians throughout several centuries.

Over time, there have been questions, even among Muslims, as to whether the religion permits or makes use of music. Below are arguments of Islamic scholars who have also shared their scholarly views in an attempt to answering this question.

The argument of the 'IslamAwareness' group:

But otherwise, how would it be sinful when Allah Almighty Himself allowed it to Prophet David peace be upon him?" Narrated Abu Musa:  "That the Prophet said to him 'O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the musical wind-instruments of the family of David.'    (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues of the Qur'an, Volume 6, Book 61, Number 568)

There is not a single Noble Verse in the Noble Quran that prohibits music.  In fact, music and songs are allowed in the Noble Quran as we saw above.  Some Muslims however claim that Prophet Muhammad did prohibit music.  Well, the section below actually proves the otherwise from the Sayings of Prophet Muhammad himself.

Muslims must also remember that when Prophet Muhammad reached the Holy City of Madina from the Holy City of Mecca with his best friend Abu Bakr, the Muslims played music and sang the famous Islamic song "Talaa El-Badru Alayna" which means "The full moon had come upon us.

The music that Prophet Muhammad prohibited was the one that the infidels used to play which involved sexual activities by the women.  It was part of the pagan Arabs' custom, and Prophet Muhammad wanted to prevent Muslims to be anywhere near that type of music, because it was a sinful music; a music that led to sinful activities". From Bukhari Volume 2, Book 15, Number 70: 

Sheikh Yusuf Estes argues that:

Today there are in fact, several imams and so-called scholars doing anything they can to do exactly what is mentioned in this prophetic statement of our beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) including trying to claim the statement isn't true (although it is recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari, the most trustworthy of all collections of Hadith). - So, it has happened.

This Hadith also indicates to us that it was not all music - but certainly playing of musical instruments is not acceptable. And even then a certain type of drum (called a 'Duff') was not included in what was forbidden.
Also, the human voice is not considered a musical instrument either, but it could still be Haram if it is used in a seductive or stimulating way or if the words are not appropriate.

I have listened to a large number of scholars on this topic for many years. The conclusion based on the real evidence is pretty simple:

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS? - NO!
They are HARAM (forbidden) - Except for the duff.
All SINGING - NO!
Not according to today's understanding of the word "singing". It is RESTRICTED to certain occasions, not to opposite sex to arouse or stimulate or distract from Ibadah (worship).

DANCING? - NO!
Except in certain conditions and then it is limited to women only, and not for the attraction or seduction of the opposite sex. And definitely not according to how most of us would define "dancing" these days.

H. Abdul Wahid Shaikh also argues that:

Music is not forbidden in Islam. Music is one of the purest and most beautiful creation of God Almighty who set the tone and rhythm of every sound in the universe. Music or singing like all the creations of God, that now constitute an important part of our daily life can be lawfully used or maliciously abused."

"Both music and singing are created pure, and beautiful like our fresh air and fresh water and they can be corrupted or polluted by evil-doers of every nationality, color or gender. The corruption of some music shows or songs does not make all the music or songs haram (prohibited) just like the pollution of some water or fresh air by some people will not deem all the water and air haram (prohibited)"

"The sincere Muslim who is following the Quran will not find in the Quran any prohibition whatsoever of music or singing. God is very specific and His commands are very clear regarding any prohibition given in the Quran. God, the Most Merciful, never prohibited music or singing in the Quran. Any prohibition of music or singing that is talked about among some Muslims has no basis in the Quran."

"These prohibitions are innovations made up by some of the scholars and their followers who do not shy from refusing to follow the clear commands in the Quran and instead follow man made laws and books of Hadith and Sunna that contradict the Quran, contradict simple common sense and insult the message of the prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)."

 

Waleed Kadous, Student of Islam also writes that the vast majority of scholars believe that music is prohibited. However, it is not completely unanimous - a small minority, in particular those of the Thaahiri school like Ibn Hazm and Yusuf Al Qaradawi believe it is permissible under certain circumstances (see below).

There is total unanimity amongst all scholars that if the music encourage bad behavior, extra-marital affairs, lewd behavior, skimpy clothing, drinking, or making fun of religion or people who are upright, it is totally prohibited. This means that by consensus of the scholars the vast majority of modern popular music (certainly, the likes of Britney Spears, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg etc) is prohibited.

There's also consensus that singing with simple drum is acceptable and there are evidences that this would occur at weddings and other celebrations during the time of Prophet (SAWS).

There are no explicit verses in Qur'an, although some highly respected commentators, in particular Ibn Abbas (the cousin of Muhammad and arguably the most highly regarded commentator) says that "idle talk" in Luqman 31:6 (Surat Luqman [31:6] - The Noble Qur'an - القرآن الكريم) refers to Music.

However, there are explicit hadith that prohibit music - especially in connection with drinking and womanizing.  

The 'Controversial Islam' also argues that:

 Those who are opposed to music, quote this Hadith:

“Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v: Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari: that he heard the Prophet saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who..."

It is dangerous to form an opinion on the basis of one or two Hadiths, and Hadith literature should be considered as raw data. Each Hadith should be evaluated and compared with other Ahadith as well as with other historical sources. The problem is that we usually don’t know the context of each Hadith, and it is difficult to know under what circumstances the Prophet (s.a.w) made certain statements.

The above Hadith most likely refers to musical instruments used in drinking parties during the period of “jahiliyaa” (pre-Islamic era) in which even men wore silk clothes and orgies included illegal sexual intercourse. Taken by itself, the Hadith should also ban silk, but that is not the case and silk is permitted for women. That is why it is important to look at all Ahadith and not come to a hasty conclusion. There are other Ahadiths which clearly show that musical instruments are permitted: For example this Hadith:

“Volume 6, Book 61, Number 568:

Narrated Abu Musa:

That the Prophet said to him’ ‘O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the musical wind-instruments of the family of David .’”

Critics also argue that music instruments are ONLY allowed during festivities.

 

It is not difficult to find contradictory Ahadith. However, almost all scholars of Islam are of the view that singing is not only permitted, it is recommended on the occasions of Eid, weddings, births, aqiqahs, and on the return of a traveler.

Qardawi in the same book also states the following: “It is reported that many Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) as well as second generation Muslim scholars used to listen to singing and did not see anything wrong with it. As for the Ahadith which have been reported against singing, they all are weak and have been shown by researchers to be unsound.

The jurist Abu Bakr al-Arabi says, ‘No sound Hadith is available concerning the prohibition of singing,’ while Ibn Hazm says, ‘ All that is reported on this subject is false and fabricated…he who listens to singing intending neither obedience nor disobedience in doing something neutral and harmless, which is similar to going to the park and walking around, standing by a window and looking at the sky, wearing blue or green clothes, and so on.'”

The best answer was given by Ibn Hazm who quoted another verse: “And what is beyond the truth except error?” (Quran 10:32). In other words, those who are prohibiting something which God has not forbidden, for no apparent reason, are simply falling into error.

Then there are some Muslims who argue that only drums are allowed. That too is false. Note the Hadith that I have quoted above:

“Narrated Abu Musa: “That the Prophet said to him ‘O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the musical wind-instruments of the family of David.'”

That makes it obvious that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was not opposed to wind instruments.

Secondly, what is permitted on Eid day is also permitted on other days. There is not a single Hadith which says that what is permitted for Eid is not acceptable on other days. Muslims have been enjoying Music since the beginning of Islam with no guilt whatsoever.

Conclusion:

Most jurists of the classical era of Muslim scholarship opined that music is forbidden both by the Qur'an and by the Hadith but from the arguments above, it can be concluded that Islam does not forbid music as a general phenomenon but music that leads to sinful acts such as drugs, sex, violence, etc... is absolutely sinful in Islam. 

Due to Islam being a multi-ethnic religion, the musical expression of its adherents is vastly diverse. The indigenous musical styles of these areas have shaped the devotional music enjoyed by contemporary Muslims.

According to many authorities Islam does allow singing without musical accompaniment within prescribed circumstances—namely that the performer be of the same gender as the audience. Others hold that music is permitted in Islam provided that the lyrics are not obscene or vulgar.

Reference list:

http://www.islamawareness.net/Music/prohibited.html

http://www.justaskislam.com/201/music-yes-or-no/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141022073956-334388224-music-is-not-forbidden-in-islam

https://www.quora.com/Is-music-prohibited-in-Islam-Why 

https://controversialislam.wordpress.com/music-banned-in-islam/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_music

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-arts/Music