THE RULINGS ON MUSIC

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Assalãm Alaykum Warohmatullohi Wabarokãtuh - My brothers and sisters in FAITH.

All sorts of glorification be to the Creator of the universe. the One Who sent down the Holy Qur'ãn [as a panacea to all sorts of problem on earth] to His beloved Messenger, Muhammad bn Abdulloh [S.A.W]. May the blessings be upon his companions;  their successors; including those who choose to follow the path of Islãm by using the Holy Qur'ãn and the Sunnah as their road map. 

Beloved brothers and sisters in faith, there is no doubt that time is running out on our existence on this earth, whether you are young or old. We are being neglectful of our primary purpose on earth. We are then busy with frivolities and vanities, thinking that these things will bring us an external happiness. We are ignoramus of the fact that it is only when we turn back to Allah by following the provisions of the Holy Qur'ãn and the Sunnah that we can embrace external happiness. The reason behind our laziness with regards to being conscious of Allah is not far at all to disclose. Read forward!

As the time is making the period of the Rosuul and his companions far from our own period, Islãm tends to become strange to us as if it was never preached to us, we also continue to picture ourselves to be strangers to Islãm. Subhãnalloh!

The main reasons behind the above are two: 

1. Lack of passion for seeking knowledge.

2. Absence of enough Sunni Scholars who can speak the truth to people.

Sincerely, countless numbers of Muslims are so weak in terms of seeking the true knowledge: Qur'ãn and Sunnah, especially the youths but they are so strong to make quick money by fair and foul means. Most especially, the sisters in Islãm are seen not needing requisite knowledge of Islãm and they are also portraying themselves in that same way. Subhãnalloh! This is absolutely not within the contemplation of Islãm. Let's follow the command of Allah as stated in Qur'ãn 16 verse 43.  Let's turn a new leaf, ikhwah.

On the other hand, the Muslim society we are living in is not helping. Why...? The expected people of the true knowledge are afraid of saying the exact provision of the true knowledge. This is the reason bid'ah is now becoming Sunnah. This is because the people of the true knowledge are afraid of the castigations of the catigators. Let us check Qur'ãn 2 verse 150.

Besides, the main intent of this article is to address one of the issues going viral  as a custom and tradition. A situation where music is seen as a way of life to whoever wants to be seen as a civilised person in this world of civilisation. The explanations and evidences to be used throughout will be restricted to the Holy Qur'ãn; the Sunnah and the Ij'ma [Juristic opinions].

Dear brothers and sisters in FAITH, who has believed in Allah as the true Supreme Lord, in Islam as the true religion, and in Muhammad, [peace be upon him] as a messenger; know that the Muslim is obliged to know that he is obedient to his Lord. May Allah guide us all to the righteous path.

Dear Ikhwah, know that music and singing are among the Shaytaan's most dangerous ways for straying the servants of Allah. They have become very common till many people believed that whoever thinks that music and singing are prohibited is would be seen as a fanatic person! Music has become customs and traditions which is rooted in the lives of different people at different places.  It is said to be a custom because it is heard in all the houses (through the radio and TV stations) schools, roads and cars.

 Nowadays, there are schools for teaching Music! Unfortunately, the ignorant Muslims who get graduated from these schools do not know that the money they gain from Music is illegal.

Dear Muslim brother, you may ask "What are the Quranic and prophetic evidences of prohibiting music and singing.

EXPLAINING THE WORD [SONG]

In this article, the word "song" is used in determining the two categories we have because the " song" is an encompassing word in which the below categories could be found. Using the word "music" will be too restrictive in sense.

This key word:"Song" is subdivided by the Sunni Scholars into two main type, namely:

1. An Nasheed and;

2. Music

AN NASHEED

This is a type of song in the version of Arabic language. But we need to know that not all nasheed could be said to be permissible. The fact that a nasheed is Arabic form doesn't guarantee its permissibility. To determine its permissibility, we have to take a look into the position and the intent of such nasheed.This statement could be said to justify the below Hadith.

Shaykh Tobarõni said in his book titled; "الأوسط" -   "Al Aosat." It was reported from authority of Abdullahi bn Umar that the Prophet S.A.W said:

"A song is like words of mouth, the whichever one is good in it is good and whichever one is bad in it is bad."

Another Hadith making "nasheed" unlawful because of its unlawful position is the Hadith of Abu Huroyroh [R.A.] He said that the Prophet [S.A.W] said: 

"For the tummy of each and everyone of you to fill up with pus is better for him than to be filled up with nasheed [with unlawful position]. 

Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim.

The Sunni Scholars divided "nasheed" into: 

1. Lawful

2. Unlawful

LAWFUL NASHEED

A lawful nasheed is a type that is free from any sort of foul and indecent wordings. Also, nasheed by a male in praising another woman [not his wife]. Or a nasheed by a female in praising another person's husband [not hers].

EXAMPLES OF LAWFUL NASHEED are:

Nasheed about praising the wonders of Allah's creation of the universe: 

Nasheed about Asceticism [not to be obsessed with worldly possessions].

Nasheed about good morals.

Nasheed about marriage ceremony.

Nasheed about Jihad [striving in Allah's course]. A good example of this was a narration by Imãm Tirmidhi, from the authority of Anas Bn Mãlik, that when the Prophet entered Makkah in order to perform Umroh [7 A.H], Ibn Ruwaaha said in a tone of nasheed:

خَلُّوا بَنِي الكُفَّارِ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ 

اليَوْمَ نَضْرِبْكُمْ عَلَى تَنْزِيلِهِ 

ضَرْبًا يُزِيلُ الْهَامَ عَنْ مَقِيلِهِ 

وَيُذْهِلُ الْخَلِيلَ عَنْ خَلِيلِهِ

Translation:

Immediately after Ibn Ruwaaha finished the poetic lines, Umar angrily said: "The son of Ruwaaha, is it inside the house of Allah [Ka'ba] and in the presence of the Prophet [S.A.W] you are saying this poem? The Prophet the said: " Leave him alone, the son of Khattab. This nasheed is more cutting and provocative in them than using releasing arrows."

In the light of the above Hadith, we would deduce that the Prophet allowed the poem by Ibn Ruwaaha by the reason of having an element of motivation in the course of Allah.

UNLAWFUL NASHEED

This is directly the opposite of the lawful nasheed. It is said to be unlawful because it has elements of indecent and vituperative and ungodly wordings.

EXAMPLES OF UNLAWFUL NASHEED

Nasheed on dirge [poems upon the death of a person]

Nasheed about lampoon [meant to abuse]

Nasheed on vanities and pomposity.

Nasheed of sharing partner with Allah [Shirk]

Musical poem [the main focus in this article]

A good example of nasshed of sharing partner with Allah which involves comparing human qualities with that of human is what some cursed people of Sufism said: 

فما الكلب والخنسير إلا إلٰهنا وما الله الا راهبٌ في الكنيسة

"Dog and pig are nothing but our Lord # And Allah is nothing but the One Who hide in His Den."

MUSICAL POEM / SONG

This is the main focus in this article. This is the modern song which the Qur'ãn, the Sunnah and the consensus of the Sunni Scholars have raised a lot of objections and rejections towards. Before further explanation on this, it's always expected and pertinent to proceed Allah's words as proof in any Islamic concept and literary work.

Therefore, these are the clear evidences from the Holy Qur'ãn and the Sunnah of His messenger peace be upon him:

The Quranic evidences of prohibiting the musical instruments:

The first evidence: Allah almighty said to the Shaytaan and his party: "And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them." But Shaytaan does not promise them except delusion." [Al-‘Isra’ 17:64] 

Regarding the above verse, most of the Senior Companions and the some of the junior Companions said the "The voice of Shaytaan is: singing, flutes and idle talks." This was also the interpretation of most popular and scholarly Qur'ãn interpreters.

The second evidence: Allah almighty says: “And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.” [Luqman 31:6] 

Regarding the interpretation of the Key Word in the above verse: "lahwal hadeeth," the below show the interpretations of the scholarly Companions: Abdulloh Ibn Mas'ūd and Abdulloh Ibn Abãs [may Allah be pleased with them all]. Abdulloh Ibn Mas'ūd said: the key word [idle talk] in this verse means: "music." Abdulloh Ibn Abãs said: "it's about the singing and its likes." 

 Evidences from the authentic Hadeeth:

The first Hadeeth: Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that he heard the messenger of Allah, peace be upon him says: “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 will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection.” [Bukhari]

This Hadeeth is one of the clearest evidences of prohibiting the musical instruments (e.g. drum set, guitar, piano …etc). The prophet, peace be upon him, mentioned using the musical instruments with the illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk and the drinking of alcoholic drinks. The prophet, peace be upon him, told that there will be people (from among his followers) consider them legal, and that had occurred. This is an evidence of its being prohibited.

The second Hadeeth: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “I have been prevented two foolish licentious voices: one during the occurrence of grace, and it is the idle talk, playing, and Shaytaan's flutes; and another during the occurrence of disaster, and it is scratching oneself face, tearing clothes, and the Satan’s tone.” [Declared authentic by Al-Albani].

In this Hadeeth the prophet, peace be upon him, called the singing a foolish licentious voice, and called the musical instruments the instruments of the Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah, the Shaykh of Islam may Allah have mercy on him, said: “This Hadeeth is one of the best evidences of prohibiting the singing.” 

The third Hadeeth: Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the prophet peace be upon him said: “In this nation, there will be Khasf (landslides swallow people), Qadhf (falling of stones from the sky) and metamorphosis. This would occur when they drink alcoholics, have singers and use the musical instruments.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani] 

In this Hadeeth; the prophet, peace be upon him, warns the nation from drinking alcoholics, having singers and playing the musical instruments considering them illegal.

CONSCISE EVIDENCE ON THE PROHIBITION OF MUSIC

In the light of the above Hadith, if music were to be lawful or permissible, the Rosuul [R.A.W] wouldn't have equated it with Zina and Khomr [adultery and fornication; wine drinking].

POSITION OF THE JURISTS ON PROHIBITION  MUSIC

The jurists unanimously agreed to the view of seeing listening to music as an unlawful act. They said further: "Nobody will make listening to music a lawful act except a hypocrite among the fools."

THE POSITION OF THE FOUR SCHOOL OF THOUGHTS

THE POSITION OF HANNAFI SCHOOL OF THOUGHTS [150 - 80 A.H]

Hannafi school of thought said in their book that: listening to music is hypocrisy and enjoying it is disbelief. Abu Yusuf [    A.H], one of the oldest disciples of Abu Haneefah. He was a Qadhi [Judge] during the reign of Haroon Ar Rosheed. He said that: "If I heard music in a house, I will enter into the place without seeking permission. Because, correcting a disgusting act is a must and this act [listening to music] is disgusting." It is reported in the book of Hannafi School, titled - At Tatarqaniyyah - that "listening to music is a forbidden act in all place." Thus, it should be made forbidden.

THE POSITION OF MÃLIKI SCHOOL OF THOUGHT [179 - 93 A.H]

Imãm Mãlik was asked about music and what is the relief in it from the the people of Madinah? Imãm said: "It is only those who are hypocrites that will be doing such.

THE POSITION OF IMÃM AS SHAFI'I SCHOOL OF THOUGHT [240 - 150 A.H]

There was a time when Imãm Shafi'i left Baghdad for Misroh. He said: " I left Baghdad and I left something behind which people called [At Tagbeer] which is an example of musical instrument like a wood. Imãm said further: "If someone gathers people in order to listen to the musical voice of his wife or a female entertainer, such a man is a fool and his proof in Islãm will be rejected. Such a man is a [Dayūth]. This means a man who cares not at all about his wife being seen by men anyhow. A man who allows his wife to mingle with men anyhow.

THE POSITION OF IMÃM AHMAD IBN HAMBALI [241 - 164 A.H]

Shaykh Al Kallãl said in his book titled: "Enjoining Good & Forbidding Detestable Acts." Abdulloh Ibn Imãm Ahmad asked: "I asked my father about [music]." He then said: "It doesn't surprise me. Such an act grows hypocrisy in mind just like the way water grows plants."

Note: Imãm Ahmad said he was surprise in his reply to his son's question because it listening to it is a detestable act among the jurists.

Above all, my potential readers and students of knowledge, let us  calmly read the below and know the main reasons Allah has made [listening to music] a forbidden act on we Ummah of the baronial Prophet [S.A.W]. Listening to music comes along with temptation, obsession and it can lead to falling into depravation.

REASONS

1. It weakens someone's spiritual strength. For the fact that listening to music especially music exhibiting amoral and vulgar words.

2. stimulates temptation. For example, if the music is from a female blessed with a alluring voice. In this case, it can be a temptation to commit Zina.

3. It can be a reason to invite Jinn to be dwelling in one's body. A clear reason to authenticate this is that it is a voice of Shaytaan upon which he uses to take control of the person's life. Thereby, making the listener be declared [Jinn Possessed Human]. After the affliction, such a person will then be taken to different specialist  people of piety to combat the affliction. The process of this exorcism is not a child's play. In some cases, the Jinn might be dwelling in that victim's body for decades. This can be so if the type of such a Jinn is a stubborn one or if the Jinn finds the person so weak in terms of ibãdãh. Meaning that, "the more the person stays away from acts of worship, the more the Jinn stays in his or her body." That it is logical in reality.  Pardon this author, we won't exhaust our discussion under this subheading. 

Ibn Qayim said: "Every person loves the singing and music is strayed from the righteous path (in knowledge and practice) and prefers to listen to the singing, and he would feel that listening to the Holy Qur'ãn is hard."

A PIECE OF ADVICE & ADMONITION FROM THE AUTHOR

So far so good, the Holy Qur'ãn has remained the best and the highest words of supremacy, as a clear-cut verse in Qur'ãn 9 verse 40. Being the highest words of supremacy, we Muslim Ummah needs to give give the supreme words of the Supreme Lord supremacy. 

Dear brothers and sisters in faith, instead of listening to music, let us embrace the habit of listening to Qur'ãn 24/7. In embracing this Goldy act, peace will be our companion and solution to our emotional and psychological trauma.

As we have started above that listening to music comes along with a lot of spiritual problems. The below is a short story of a young man who was a victim of Jinn possession. Keep following as the storylines unfold, as written by the same author of this book.

There was two young stars named Zayd and Zubaydha. Zayd was the elder brother of Zubaydha. Both were born by the same parents. Their parents cared for them so much. They tried to provide their needs for the both and satisfy their wishes. Starting from their tender age till they finish their secondary school level, their parents always keep an eagle eyes on them. They gave them full discipline by making them to memorise Qur'an. That memorisation was made a prerequisite and determinant for enteri higher institution. The rationale behind this was that their parents had learnt from the Hadith of the Prophet [S.A.W] that: "The best gift a parent can give to his children is good education or training."

 Both of them had the same dream which was "becoming a prolific writer." When they disclosed it to their mother, she was so exhilarated that their children were having "a clear vision." She never knew that their vision would end up in mirage. So sad!

Badroh got an admission to study English Language a year after his elder brother got an admission to study Mass Communication. Zubaydha got a naturally amazing voice. This became know when participating in Qur'ãn competitions. But she was misled by some young sisters. 

On the other hand, her elder brother mingled with the writers' club in his school. He began attending their mentoships ang getting improved. On a long run, things began to change from normal position to an abnormal position. 

His younger sister found some young sisters who were five in figure.They  were into singing. They named their band as "Islamic singers." These young sisters actually looked gallant in their steeze, even though they were still students but they could be seen elegant in their expensive dresses like that of Mr President's daughter. Some of them had even  gotten her own studio by fair or foul means. 

After making series of moves to join their band by hiding under her gifted voice. They even discreetly agreed to be called her "Maa Sha'a Allah Voice Sister." There was a day when when they held a meeting because of initiating her. There, Zulaykho, their head, said to her: 

"You're a promising sister of virtues with glory. Your beautiful and amazing voice could make your glory outshine the world. But gift may not turn to glory if you don't consider our request. See, Zubaydha, don't let anybody deceive you that you cannot become an Islamic singer because you memorised the whole Qur'ãn. All the chapters you have memorised will still be there and you will  even be using it to support your massage when you begin to sing in full.

 In short, they won her heart with their sycophant attitude. After joining their band, they told her that they will give her a collection of beats which will be keeping her lively and receive inspiration. She later agreed  after seeing that she was performing well and they testified to it, they introduced one spiritual soap of which will bring her fortunes in her new career. 

She received the spiritual soap from them as she had been deceived by the way things were well for them. 2 months later, she got her own studio. Throughout this period, she had been busy with musical beats and her studio, in preparation for a big occasion she was invited to come and play. Just as it said that challenges are ineluctable in every career, Zubaydha's challenge happed in full. Indeed, it was a disastrous challenge. Let's keep following the storylines. 

[Here, we continue to figure out what had been happening to to the brother Zayd].

Being an aspiring writer, had also gotten some kind of unhealthy motivation from his colleagues who could also be seen gallant in their appearances. He submitted himself to their teachings and became subservient all in the name of becoming a prolific writer.

On a fateful day while receiving inspiration from a sort of Afro Beat Singers, Suddenly, he fell down from where he was sitting. He began screaming and hitting his head. His friends that were available that day quickly rushed to hospital. [Dey play].

On getting to hospital, be was given some medication to suppress the screaming and moaning. The medication calm him down, thinking that he was getting well as prayed for. In the next 24hours around 3am. His incessant moaning and streaming woke up the entire patients an other people meant to sleep in the hospital by the reason of the critical case of their people.

None of his friends could sleep in the hospital over. The nurses on duty rushed to his ward. They tried to calm him down by words of mouth but the case was beyond that. Luckily to suppress his mental disorder by one hefty man named; Dasuki, they quickly tie him to the angles of the bed as he was seemingly becoming untamed. 

Early in the morning, Nurse Haleemah picked up his phone and rang up her parents. Immediately they heard the bad news, they became destabilised. His father; Dr. Gamãwi quickly summoned his wife; Doctūroh Fareedah. They rushed into the car. On their way to the hospital, suddenly, the car somersaulted on a very high speed. The outcome of this disastrous occurrence claimed the life of Dr. Gamãwi, his wife was badly injured. She rescued to the same hospital where her son was admitted.

The issue became complicated, the storylines became heightened and tensed. The nurses later got to know that the woman was the mother of untamed Zayd when trying to call the number of Doctūroh's relatives. Seeing "My Angel" in her contact list, Nurse Haleemah, the most Pious among them all, rang up Zubaydha's number.

 [Flashback]

On that day, She was busy performing at the occasion she was invited to come and play. She could not pick up as her phone was with her Personal Assistant. Abruptly, she fell off the stage, everywhere got disorganised. 

Coincidentally, she was rushed to "We Heal But Allah Heals Hospital." The hospital was where her mother and his elder brother were admitted. What a terrible time in the life of a single family!!!

After it had been revealed to them that they were one family, Dr. Farhaan, the head of the hospital, began to give them treatment, out of pity on them. After some days, Dr. Farhaan noticed that their mother was the only person responding to treatment. During this period, Zubaydha began exhibiting some uncanny attitude. Her words began to be incoherent. She began acting and saying things oppositely, just because she fell off the stage. It is mystical!

At this juncture, the doctor and the nurses except Nurse Haleemah, were absolutely confused about the caused of their predicament. 

A week after, Allah touched the heart of Nurse Haleemah. She approached his boss in looking at the cause of their predicament beyond medical perspective. She narrated that her father was a Sunni Scholar who specialised in treating spiritual problems similar to the case on ground. Since Dr. Farhaan was also a practising Muslim who had experienced such a thing, she agreed on  her opinion. 

Their mother came back to life a day after her children had been taken to Dr. Royhaan As Sulamiy. He was an exorcist who had been using the healing included in the Holy Qur'ãn to heal. This statement would be confirmed by the provision of Qur'ãn 17 verse 82

After their mother had fully recovered, she was so surprised to find herself in that situation. She was so worried and confused. No need to hide anything. Sooner or later, she will eventually know. Dr. Farhaan revealed the whole story to her. She cried bitterly but she summoned courage to accept it as fate. She later taken to where her children were been treated. 

Seeing this happening to her children, she was so sad. She was advised to stay with her children for proper care in case of when they need anything. 

On a fateful day, after spending a year while being chained in shackles, the Jiinn spoke to the doctor and revealed the cause that: 

"The whole problem was caused by listening to music as that music was his own voice and instrument of misleading people from the path of Allah. He added that, the more they listen to it, the more their spiritual strength and power was getting deteriorated. Why this happened, getting them possessed became easy."

A year later and six-month later, they were exorcised by Allah's boundless power. Thereafter, they became Pious and closer to Allah than before.

The below verse were used by Dr. Royhaan in exorcising the Jinn in Zayd and Zubaydha. The below verses and supplications in the Hadith of the Prophet [S.A.W] can be reciting them personally on our body when we are not feeling well. We can recite inside the water, especially if we can find "zamzam water."

Qur'ãn 2 verse 255; Qur'ãn 2 verse 102; Qur'ãn 113 & 114; Qur'ãn 10 verse 81; 

Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

When the Prophet (ﷺ) visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, adhhibil-ba’sa, washfi, Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifaan la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him or her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease].” [ Narrwted by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Whenever Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) became sick, he would recite Mu’awwidhat (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An- Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Suras) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings. [Narrated by Imãm Bukhari: Hadith 5016].

The Shaykh, Ar Rõqii; the exorcist also made use of the below Du'ã of Prophet Ibrõheem [A.S]

From Sahih Al-Bukhari 3371 we can learn the Dua Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) would recite to seek protection from evil eye.

Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain and say: “Your forefather (i.e. Abraham) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Ishmael and Isaac by reciting the following: Audhu bi kalimatillahi al-tammati min kulli shaytaanin wa hammatin wa min kulli `aynin lammah ‘O Allah! I seek Refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every evil, harmful, envious eye.’ “

In conclusion, dear brothers and sisters in faith and students of knowledge, in the light of the above discussion on the "ruling of music," we would have come to understand that listening to it is unhealthy for our mind [spiritually]. Some people might be justifying the act of listening to music by the reason of relieving stress, getting inspiration even when it comes to study, as most students usually say. But my dear potential readers, "don't let us be deceived by the momentary pleasures it brings to destroy eternal pleasures in our Ãkhiroh, Hereafter."

Dear brother and sister in faith, let this educating and inspiring information reach your fellow brothers and sisters in FAITH.