Religious Music

Question.

Is it permissible to listen to religious music ?

Answer.

All types of music that are prevalent nowadays are haraam due to the fact that they fall under the category of لهو الحديث (futile)

Allah Ta'aala has made mention in the Holy Qur'aan in this regard that:

ومن الناس من يشتري لهو الحديث ليضل عن سبيل الله .......

Translation: And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (I.e. music, singing, etc) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah without knowledge……….

 In this verse the literal meaning of this word (لهو) is that particular activity which makes you neglectful of a higher pursuit in life. And those things in which there is no benefit to Shari at and it is a mere past time and entice people to do evil are also know as (لهو). Therefore the commentary of this verse has been interpreted in different ways. According to hadhrat Ibn Masood, Ibn Abbaas and Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhum) it means singing and music. And according to other interpreters it is everything that makes people neglectful of Allah Ta'aala's worship and remembrance. So the later of the two is more general and it includes music, singing, fairy tales etc.

Imam Bukhari mentioned in his book (al-adabul mufrad) that:

لهو الحديث هو الغناء وأشباهه

Translation: the word (lahwul Hadith) is music and things similar to it.

 Besides this there are many places in the Qur'aan and Hadith wherein the same thing is made mentioned thereof.

Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has made mention of a Hadith on the authority of hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) to that effect that:

كل شيئ من لهو الدنيا باطل إلا ثلاثة إنتضالك بقوسك و تأديبك لفرسك وملاعبتك لأهلك بإنهن من الحق.

Translation: Everything with which a man plays is unlawful except his shooting with arrows, and his training his horse, and his sporting with his wife; and verily these are of the truths.

In another Hadith it is mentioned that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has said to that effect that: There will be a people of my Ummah who will seek to make lawful fornication, the wearing of silk, wine (drinking) and the use of musical instruments(Bukhari 2/837).

From this Hadith we come to know that whatever is happening nowadays are truly the prophecies of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and this is not only it but in another place Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has prophecies about the punishment which will befall them as well. Thus it is stated in a Hadith to that effect that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has said  that "A people of my Ummah will drink wine, calling it by other than its real name, merry will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and by the singing of female singers. Allah will cleave the earth under them and turn them into apes and swine. (Abu Dawood 2/519, Ibn Maajah 1/300).

Nowadays music etc is so prevalent that it is very difficult to abstain from it but remember that strive in the in pleasing Allah Ta'aala and act according to his commands then verily Allah Ta'aala has kept lots of reward for him and verily he is the successful one. Allah Ta'aala mentioned in Surah Al-Mu'minoun that: 

قد أفلح المؤمنون , الذين هم في صلوتهم خشعون, والذين هم عن اللغو معرضون.....

Translation: Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their salaah with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah Ta'aala has forbidden). 

 

Therefore we should not get affected by other people who are involved in these futile things; instead we should make an effort to get them out of that evil.

If you are describing ash'aar and nazms as religious music then if it is such ash'aar and nazms that contain the greatness of Allah Ta'aala and praises of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and wherein everything is in conformity with Shari'ah then it will be permissible and advisable to listen to. Therefore I would like to mention some conditions in this regard.

1-The tune and style should not be that of Hindi and English songs, nor should it resemble the rhythms of rap artists. As Muslims we have been expressly prohibited by Nabi صلي الله عليه و سلم from imitating the ways and mannerism of the kuffar, thus it would be unbecoming that the beautiful phrases of ALLAH and his prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم be sung in tunes and rhythms of songs that are nothing more than verbal expressions of immoral persons desires.

2-It must not be merely for enjoyment and pass-time.

3-It must not contain any unlawful or undesirable speech such as gossip, mocking of others or the vivid description of any woman or any other haraam object.

4-Such singing should not lead to the discarding or neglecting of any compulsory act of Shari’ah or the commission of any other evil or sin.

Thus qawwaali (قوالى) will also not be permissible due to the fact that it includes some of the above mentioned conditions as well.

From amongst the conditions of singing naats (singing the praises of Nabi صلي الله عليه و سلم), Faqihul Ummat Mufti Mahmood Gangohi رحمة الله عليه mentioned that it should not be sung or read in such chorus (i.e. unison) wherein the tunes of qawali and songs are adopted. If it is sung with such (obnoxious) tunes it takes the form of lahwa laib (mere amusement), which is not permissible in Islam. See Fatawa Mahmudiyya 17/234.

Mufti Kifaayatullah رحمة الله عليه states that it is not permissible to listen to such people who sing songs with distinct musical tones (albeit without musical instruments) and in a method that conforms to the rules and rhythms of musicians. See Kifaayatullah Mufti 9/179.

AND ALLAH TA'AALA KNOWS BEST