Alhamdulillah, after stressing for the first part of the semester, we have finally come to the Easter holidays. So this basically means, we've got about 14 days left to go and see as many movies, smoke as many shisha flavours and cram in as much fun as we possibly can. However, is this the intellect we should be keping as Muslims?
Having a fun time is good, enjoying yourself is fantastic aslong as it is within the boundaries set by Allah Ta'ala and His Messenger صلي الله عليه وسلم. For example, its good to play football and keep yourself healthy because it is the Huqooq (right) of your body that you maintain it thus in this there is reward for a person. Then you get some brothers and sisters who play football so much that when it comes to praying, they are too tired and then miss it. This concept is wrong and in it their is sin, we just need to learn to distinguish between good and bad rather then thinking 'Being Muslim means no fun!' This is incorrect, have fun but with moderation.
Likewise we find alot of people moan because they claim that they are too busy to remember Allah; That work, college, uni or individual courses and extra curricular activities get in the way of sincere worship. Yet when the free time inevitably comes our way, we occupy ourselves with Facebook and MSN for hours on end. People will be stuck on MSN Messenger and forums till early in the morning speaking about trivial matters when this time is the best to pray, make Du'a to Allah Ta'ala and beg Him for His forgiveness.
In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم says,
"Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: 'Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?"
Allah Ta'ala is literally looking for excuses to forgive us...
So lets not waste our holidays with trivial matters and day to day 'gupshup' about who is dating who. Do no let these days pass with regret overshadowing our hearts due to the deficiency in our worship. I am not saying, "Don't have fun!" I am saying, "Have fun but with moderation." If you go to the gym you will know that after a few exercises one has to rest his body otherwise it will get strained. In the same way when havin fun, one has to stop and remember Allah Ta'ala or his heart will become strained and rusty.
A beautiful parable that comes to my mind...
Ali (May Allah be pleased with him), stood with one of his companions near a grave one day and asked him,
"If he could come back to this Dunya, what do you think he would do?"
His companion replied,
"He would do nothing but good deeds."
Thereupon Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) remarked,
"If it is not going to be him, then let it be you!"
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Thursday 25 March 2010
Parents
With the name of Allah the Most Merciful, the Very Merciful.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in an authentic hadith that ,"Jannah(Paradise) lies undeneath the feet of mothers". We should realise that having a loving mother is amongst the best gifts we can get from Allah. No matter what we do, we can never repay the the favors they have done for us and are still doing today. We may serve our mother for our whole life but this will not be enough to repay the first scream she led out when she was giving birth to us.
Alhamdullilah, today I'm writing this article by Allah's mercy upon me and also by the help of my mother, mashallah she is the best a son can ask. My mother alhumdullilah is not just concerned for my worldly affairs but most importantly, by Allah's will she is responsible for the very little knowledge that I have today. She strives everyday to try and help me on the right path.
My brothers and sisters we should realise that a person can get everything but nothing can replace a mum. A good loving mother will do anything to make her children happy and also help them achieve the benefits of the hereafter and this world. Once a sahabi came to the Prophet(peace be upon him) and asked who should we love the most (after Allah and His Prophet peace be upon him). The beloved of Allah (peace be upon him) said your mother, and the sahabi asked this question again and three times the Prophet peace be upon him said your mother. Then on the fourth time then he (peace be upon him) said your father. This shows the importance a mother holds in Islam. My brothers and sisters coming from experience, amongst the best feelings you can have is knowing that your parents are happy with you and amongst the worst feelings is knowing that your parents are displeased with us.
But the unfortunate thing nowadays is that we don't know the value of our mum. If you want to know the value of a mother, ask someone who has lost their mother. My brothers and sisters, just by looking at your mum and smiling at her is one the best deeds you can do and now imagine the rewards you will get by making her happy! Unfortunately nowadays we make other people happy but not our mum.. We should always be good to our parents, show kindness to them and speak to them with a soft voice and always do our best to make them happy. We should know if our Allah and our mum is happy with us then inshallah we are edging towards the ultimate success. We should learn to control our temper when we talk to them, it may be that we don't like something she said to us, but we should keep quiet and be patient. We should realise that the happiness of our mum and dad may be the cause of us entering Jannah (Paradise).
The following story shows you the importance a mother holds; "During the funeral of his mother, Al Harith Al-Akli(radiallahuanhu) weeped.When asked the reason the reasons of his tears, he said, why should I not cry when one of my doors doors to Paradise has now closed".
We should always be kind to our parents but its unfortunate we are not. We should not despair from the mercy of Allah but we should rather make dua that Allah makes us amongst the ones who our parents are happy with . The happiness of your mother will bring you success Inshallah.
I make dua that Allah make our parents happy with us and grants us Jannah. Also my brothers and sisters a kind request, can you please make dua for my mother as she has on operation. Jazakallah
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in an authentic hadith that ,"Jannah(Paradise) lies undeneath the feet of mothers". We should realise that having a loving mother is amongst the best gifts we can get from Allah. No matter what we do, we can never repay the the favors they have done for us and are still doing today. We may serve our mother for our whole life but this will not be enough to repay the first scream she led out when she was giving birth to us.
Alhamdullilah, today I'm writing this article by Allah's mercy upon me and also by the help of my mother, mashallah she is the best a son can ask. My mother alhumdullilah is not just concerned for my worldly affairs but most importantly, by Allah's will she is responsible for the very little knowledge that I have today. She strives everyday to try and help me on the right path.
My brothers and sisters we should realise that a person can get everything but nothing can replace a mum. A good loving mother will do anything to make her children happy and also help them achieve the benefits of the hereafter and this world. Once a sahabi came to the Prophet(peace be upon him) and asked who should we love the most (after Allah and His Prophet peace be upon him). The beloved of Allah (peace be upon him) said your mother, and the sahabi asked this question again and three times the Prophet peace be upon him said your mother. Then on the fourth time then he (peace be upon him) said your father. This shows the importance a mother holds in Islam. My brothers and sisters coming from experience, amongst the best feelings you can have is knowing that your parents are happy with you and amongst the worst feelings is knowing that your parents are displeased with us.
But the unfortunate thing nowadays is that we don't know the value of our mum. If you want to know the value of a mother, ask someone who has lost their mother. My brothers and sisters, just by looking at your mum and smiling at her is one the best deeds you can do and now imagine the rewards you will get by making her happy! Unfortunately nowadays we make other people happy but not our mum.. We should always be good to our parents, show kindness to them and speak to them with a soft voice and always do our best to make them happy. We should know if our Allah and our mum is happy with us then inshallah we are edging towards the ultimate success. We should learn to control our temper when we talk to them, it may be that we don't like something she said to us, but we should keep quiet and be patient. We should realise that the happiness of our mum and dad may be the cause of us entering Jannah (Paradise).
The following story shows you the importance a mother holds; "During the funeral of his mother, Al Harith Al-Akli(radiallahuanhu) weeped.When asked the reason the reasons of his tears, he said, why should I not cry when one of my doors doors to Paradise has now closed".
We should always be kind to our parents but its unfortunate we are not. We should not despair from the mercy of Allah but we should rather make dua that Allah makes us amongst the ones who our parents are happy with . The happiness of your mother will bring you success Inshallah.
I make dua that Allah make our parents happy with us and grants us Jannah. Also my brothers and sisters a kind request, can you please make dua for my mother as she has on operation. Jazakallah
Sunday 21 March 2010
Miscellaneous Stories
Qaazi Abu Bakr ibn Arabi rahmatullahi alayh narrates that in the time that Mansur was the ruler of Baghdad, a man called Musa ibn Eesa Haashimi said to his wife in a state of intense, intimate love,
“If you are not prettier than the moon, I give you three divorces!”
The woman became extremely worried and thought that the divorce has been sanctioned. Consequently, she stopped coming in front of her husband. When the man came to his senses and out of his state of intense love, he became worried too. In fact, he spent the entire night sleepless and in much difficulty. After much worry, the morning came and Musa went straight to Mansur and narrated what had happened. Mansur immediately called the biggest scholars and jurists of the city and presented the story before them. The majority of the scholars felt that the divorce had been sanctioned because the wife was not as pretty as the moon. However, one jurist from amongst them said that the divorce was not valid. When he was asked for the reason he related the verse from the Qur’an, “We have created mankind in the best mould.” (95:4)
Mansur really liked this reply and Musa ibn Eesa was sent away with this answer that the alleged divorce was not valid.
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Imran ibn Hittaan was a renowned eloquent and classical poet of the Khaariji (a misguided sect) sect. There are many stories of his showings. Allamah Zamakshari rahmatullahi alayh narrates that he (Imran ibn Hattaan) had an extremely darkened face and was really ugly. And as ugly as he was, his wife was extremely beautiful. One day, she was staring at his face for a long time and then suddenly said, “Alhamdulillah (all praise is to Allah)!” Imran asked, “What is the matter? What did you say Alhamdulillah upon?” His wife replied, “I had expressed my gratitude to Allah upon this matter that we both are destined for Jannah!” Imran said, “How is that?” She then said, “This is because you have been given a wife like me and you have done shukr (expressed thanks to Allah) on this. And I have received an ugly husband like you upon which I have had to do sabr (be patient). And so Allah has promised the thankful one and the patient one with Jannah!”
Translated from Tarashe
“If you are not prettier than the moon, I give you three divorces!”
The woman became extremely worried and thought that the divorce has been sanctioned. Consequently, she stopped coming in front of her husband. When the man came to his senses and out of his state of intense love, he became worried too. In fact, he spent the entire night sleepless and in much difficulty. After much worry, the morning came and Musa went straight to Mansur and narrated what had happened. Mansur immediately called the biggest scholars and jurists of the city and presented the story before them. The majority of the scholars felt that the divorce had been sanctioned because the wife was not as pretty as the moon. However, one jurist from amongst them said that the divorce was not valid. When he was asked for the reason he related the verse from the Qur’an, “We have created mankind in the best mould.” (95:4)
Mansur really liked this reply and Musa ibn Eesa was sent away with this answer that the alleged divorce was not valid.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imran ibn Hittaan was a renowned eloquent and classical poet of the Khaariji (a misguided sect) sect. There are many stories of his showings. Allamah Zamakshari rahmatullahi alayh narrates that he (Imran ibn Hattaan) had an extremely darkened face and was really ugly. And as ugly as he was, his wife was extremely beautiful. One day, she was staring at his face for a long time and then suddenly said, “Alhamdulillah (all praise is to Allah)!” Imran asked, “What is the matter? What did you say Alhamdulillah upon?” His wife replied, “I had expressed my gratitude to Allah upon this matter that we both are destined for Jannah!” Imran said, “How is that?” She then said, “This is because you have been given a wife like me and you have done shukr (expressed thanks to Allah) on this. And I have received an ugly husband like you upon which I have had to do sabr (be patient). And so Allah has promised the thankful one and the patient one with Jannah!”
Translated from Tarashe
Wednesday 10 March 2010
Being Tested in Life
In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Patience is amongst one of the best characteristics an individual can possess. My brothers and sisters, this life is a test and as we know, no tests are easy unless we have prepared to face them. For example, if we have an exam to do, the only way we can get ready for this exam is by revising. In the same way, this life throws a lot of tests at us and in these testing times, who do we turn to as Muslim? My brothers and sisters, we should turn to Allah the Solver of all problems.
When we are being tested we should show a lot of patience for Allah says in the Holy Qu'ran, " O you who believe, strengthen yourselves with resolution and prayer. Indeed Allah is with those who persevere in adversity (Surah Baqarah verse 153)", we can see from this verse of the Quran that in times of adversity we should turn to Allah and be strong. We should not let anything make us weak but on the contrary we should show strength for Allah loves a strong believer more that he loves a weak believer. We should be strong at all times and how do we strengthen ourselves? My brothers and sisters we should turn to our Lord Allah and Inshallah by the power He will give us, we will gain the strength to face the problems that we are facing.
At the same time we have to show patience, for Allah loves those who shows patience. Allah says in the Qur'an," O you who believe, seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely ALLAH is with the patient(Al-Baqarah 2:216)", we can see from this verse of Qur'an that we need to be patient at all time. My brothers and sisters patience is beautiful, never give up on Alla's help, we have to put trust in Allah at all time.
We should always seek Allah's help in all matters, we hear a lot of people saying that we make dua but Allah is not accepting our dua! We should realise that Allah has no problems in giving, it is the way we ask. When we are asking Allah to help us, we should ask with full conviction and faith that Allah will help us. And how can we do that? The more we work on our Imaan, the more faith we are going to have in Allah. We have to show patience at all times and when Allah tests us we should take it as an opportunity for us to get closer to Allah. We should know that when Allah loves someone He tests that person to some extent.
My brothers and sisters, at all times, whenever we are going through hardships ...we must turn to Allah and know that Allah never burdens someone more that he can handle. Allah is Just, we need to put our faith in Allah and be patient. We should see the hardships we are going through as a blessing in disguise because in reality if our imaan is strong, its going to get stronger because we know that only Allah can solve our problems. Due to this, we will be making more dua and praying and all this is only going to make us get closer to Allah! Thus our Imaan will increase ,but at the same time we should always remember Allah all the time... not just in time of need.
I make dua that Allah makes us strong and increase our imaan.
Ameen
Patience is amongst one of the best characteristics an individual can possess. My brothers and sisters, this life is a test and as we know, no tests are easy unless we have prepared to face them. For example, if we have an exam to do, the only way we can get ready for this exam is by revising. In the same way, this life throws a lot of tests at us and in these testing times, who do we turn to as Muslim? My brothers and sisters, we should turn to Allah the Solver of all problems.
When we are being tested we should show a lot of patience for Allah says in the Holy Qu'ran, " O you who believe, strengthen yourselves with resolution and prayer. Indeed Allah is with those who persevere in adversity (Surah Baqarah verse 153)", we can see from this verse of the Quran that in times of adversity we should turn to Allah and be strong. We should not let anything make us weak but on the contrary we should show strength for Allah loves a strong believer more that he loves a weak believer. We should be strong at all times and how do we strengthen ourselves? My brothers and sisters we should turn to our Lord Allah and Inshallah by the power He will give us, we will gain the strength to face the problems that we are facing.
At the same time we have to show patience, for Allah loves those who shows patience. Allah says in the Qur'an," O you who believe, seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely ALLAH is with the patient(Al-Baqarah 2:216)", we can see from this verse of Qur'an that we need to be patient at all time. My brothers and sisters patience is beautiful, never give up on Alla's help, we have to put trust in Allah at all time.
We should always seek Allah's help in all matters, we hear a lot of people saying that we make dua but Allah is not accepting our dua! We should realise that Allah has no problems in giving, it is the way we ask. When we are asking Allah to help us, we should ask with full conviction and faith that Allah will help us. And how can we do that? The more we work on our Imaan, the more faith we are going to have in Allah. We have to show patience at all times and when Allah tests us we should take it as an opportunity for us to get closer to Allah. We should know that when Allah loves someone He tests that person to some extent.
My brothers and sisters, at all times, whenever we are going through hardships ...we must turn to Allah and know that Allah never burdens someone more that he can handle. Allah is Just, we need to put our faith in Allah and be patient. We should see the hardships we are going through as a blessing in disguise because in reality if our imaan is strong, its going to get stronger because we know that only Allah can solve our problems. Due to this, we will be making more dua and praying and all this is only going to make us get closer to Allah! Thus our Imaan will increase ,but at the same time we should always remember Allah all the time... not just in time of need.
I make dua that Allah makes us strong and increase our imaan.
Ameen
Saturday 6 March 2010
Talk: Remedies of Forbidden Love
Remedies of Forbidden Love (part 2) (23 mins)
Jummah Khutba at London Met on 26/02/2010
Thursday 4 March 2010
La ilaha illallah - The First Step
As you can see at the top of our website we have the following hadeeth under the title, "Professing faith in, "there is no God but Allah," provides the keys to paradise (Ahmad)". Out of curiosity I wanted to know what other virtues are there from uttering this statement of, "La Ilaha Illallah," and then I came across two books, Muntakhab Ahadith and Fazaail Zikr which contain numerous ahadith concerning this kalima and its virtues which will, Inshallah, be written in this article.
1) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wassallam said: Iman (faith) has more than seventy branches; the superior most one is saying: of La ilah illallah; and the inferior most is the removal of an obstacle from the way; amd Haya is a branch of Iman. (Muslim)
2) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said: Renew your Iman! it was asked: O Rasullulah! How do we renew our Iman? He said: Say frequently La ilaha illallah. (Musnad Ahmad, Tabarani, Targhib)
3) Hazrat Jabir ibne-Abdullah radiallahu anhu narrates: I heard Rasullulah sallalahu alayhi wasallam saying: The best Dhikr (rememberance of Allah) is La ilaha illallah, and the best Dua is Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah). (Tirmidhi)
4) Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullulah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said; that the one who La ilaha illallah with Ikhlaas will enter paradise. Somebody asked what was the sign of Ikhlaas. He explained that it prevents one from indulging in the forbidden things. (Tabarani)
5) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Recite La ilaha illallah very often before the time of death comes when you will not be able to say it." (Targheeb)
6) Hazrat Anas radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Whosoever recites La ilaha illallah any time during the day or night, his sins are remitted from his account and virtues are written instead." (Targheeb)
7) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "There is a pillar of Noor in front of the Arsh of Allah. When somebody recites, La ilaha illallah, this pillar starts shaking. When Allah asks it to stop shaking, it says, "How can I stop, when the reciter of the Kalimah has not yet been granted forgiveness?" Thereupon Allah says,"Well, I have forgiven him", and then that pillar stops shaking". (Bazaar)
8) Ibne Umar radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Those who believe in, La ilaha illallah, will neither have fear in the grave nor on the Day of Ressurection. It is as if I see the spectacle when they will raise from their graves, wiping dust from their heads and saying, "All praise for Allah, who has cast off (for good) all worry and fear from us".
9) Ibne Abbas radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said, "There is inscribed on the gate of Paradise, "Only I am Allah, none except I am worthy of worship. Whosoever keeps reciting this kalimah will not be punished by me."
10) Hazrat Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam had said: "Recite La ilaha illallah and Istighfar as frequently as you can, because Shaytan says: "I ruin people by inclining them to commit sins, but they frustrate me through their recitation of La ilaha illallah and Istigfhar. When I find this so, I mislead them to indulge in bid'at and thereby make them follow their base desires in the belief that they are still on the right path.
11) Rasullullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "there are obstacle in the way of every action before it reaches Almighty Allah, but the recitation of La ilaha illallah and the prayer of the father in favour of his son go up to Him unchecked.
The virtues of reciting La ilaha illallah go on and on and can be found in Fazaail Zikr written by Hazrat Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakarriya Khandhlawi.
Another reason for why I decided to choose this topic was because after looking around and making a few observations, I realised that this place and environment that we live in is very atheistic, in terms of attitudes and thinking. There is a big promotion of open immorality and things which are created to take your mind off Allah Ta'ala and focus it on the pleasures of this world. If a person doesn't keep the company of pious people or maintain some sort of connection with Allah Ta'ala on a daily basis you will find that you will slowly end up being overwhelmed and drowned by all the glamour and beauty of this world. It is very important for people to keep renewing ones Imaan as I did mention in the hadith number 2, because in doing so, inshallah it will make you remember Allah Ta'alaa and inshallah this will be a cause and means of a person staying away from that which is haraam.
My Ustadh related to us some poetry which I feel is relevant to this topic, "If you see goat droppings you know a goat has walked by, If you see footsteps you know a person and has travelled through this land, when you see the skies, the stars, the moon and the sun, then who do you think left those behind?"
May Allah Ta'ala enable me to act upon what has been said and all you brothers and sisters who read this article aswell. Ameen.
1) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wassallam said: Iman (faith) has more than seventy branches; the superior most one is saying: of La ilah illallah; and the inferior most is the removal of an obstacle from the way; amd Haya is a branch of Iman. (Muslim)
2) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said: Renew your Iman! it was asked: O Rasullulah! How do we renew our Iman? He said: Say frequently La ilaha illallah. (Musnad Ahmad, Tabarani, Targhib)
3) Hazrat Jabir ibne-Abdullah radiallahu anhu narrates: I heard Rasullulah sallalahu alayhi wasallam saying: The best Dhikr (rememberance of Allah) is La ilaha illallah, and the best Dua is Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah). (Tirmidhi)
4) Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullulah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said; that the one who La ilaha illallah with Ikhlaas will enter paradise. Somebody asked what was the sign of Ikhlaas. He explained that it prevents one from indulging in the forbidden things. (Tabarani)
5) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Recite La ilaha illallah very often before the time of death comes when you will not be able to say it." (Targheeb)
6) Hazrat Anas radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Whosoever recites La ilaha illallah any time during the day or night, his sins are remitted from his account and virtues are written instead." (Targheeb)
7) Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "There is a pillar of Noor in front of the Arsh of Allah. When somebody recites, La ilaha illallah, this pillar starts shaking. When Allah asks it to stop shaking, it says, "How can I stop, when the reciter of the Kalimah has not yet been granted forgiveness?" Thereupon Allah says,"Well, I have forgiven him", and then that pillar stops shaking". (Bazaar)
8) Ibne Umar radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Those who believe in, La ilaha illallah, will neither have fear in the grave nor on the Day of Ressurection. It is as if I see the spectacle when they will raise from their graves, wiping dust from their heads and saying, "All praise for Allah, who has cast off (for good) all worry and fear from us".
9) Ibne Abbas radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said, "There is inscribed on the gate of Paradise, "Only I am Allah, none except I am worthy of worship. Whosoever keeps reciting this kalimah will not be punished by me."
10) Hazrat Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam had said: "Recite La ilaha illallah and Istighfar as frequently as you can, because Shaytan says: "I ruin people by inclining them to commit sins, but they frustrate me through their recitation of La ilaha illallah and Istigfhar. When I find this so, I mislead them to indulge in bid'at and thereby make them follow their base desires in the belief that they are still on the right path.
11) Rasullullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, "there are obstacle in the way of every action before it reaches Almighty Allah, but the recitation of La ilaha illallah and the prayer of the father in favour of his son go up to Him unchecked.
The virtues of reciting La ilaha illallah go on and on and can be found in Fazaail Zikr written by Hazrat Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakarriya Khandhlawi.
Another reason for why I decided to choose this topic was because after looking around and making a few observations, I realised that this place and environment that we live in is very atheistic, in terms of attitudes and thinking. There is a big promotion of open immorality and things which are created to take your mind off Allah Ta'ala and focus it on the pleasures of this world. If a person doesn't keep the company of pious people or maintain some sort of connection with Allah Ta'ala on a daily basis you will find that you will slowly end up being overwhelmed and drowned by all the glamour and beauty of this world. It is very important for people to keep renewing ones Imaan as I did mention in the hadith number 2, because in doing so, inshallah it will make you remember Allah Ta'alaa and inshallah this will be a cause and means of a person staying away from that which is haraam.
My Ustadh related to us some poetry which I feel is relevant to this topic, "If you see goat droppings you know a goat has walked by, If you see footsteps you know a person and has travelled through this land, when you see the skies, the stars, the moon and the sun, then who do you think left those behind?"
May Allah Ta'ala enable me to act upon what has been said and all you brothers and sisters who read this article aswell. Ameen.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Music in Islam
Here is a detailed article on Music by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam
http://daruliftaa.com/question.asp?txt_QuestionID=q-12513589
What does Islam say about Music and Singing?
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
The worst-case scenario in the event of being inflicted with a disease is when the one involved refuses to believe that he has been inflicted with that disease. The way this phenomenon is accepted and recognised in diseases and illnesses that affect the physical body, it is also true with regards to spiritual diseases and ailments.
When a person commits a sin (May Allah save us all) believing that a sin is being committed and feels regret and remorse in the heart, then this is far better than committing the sin and believing it to be lawful (halal). In the former situation, only one sin is being committed, and it is very likely that the individual may repent out of the remorse felt in the heart. In the latter case, however, in addition to the sin being committed, there is the greater sin of trying to justify it. Normally, such an individual does not receive the guidance to repent from his sin. (May Allah save us all, Ameen)
Music and Singing
The case with music and unlawful singing is the same. It has been decisively prohibited in Shariah, as the evidences mentioned further along will illustrate. Yet there are individuals who are not ready to believe that it is unlawful (haram).
In the modern era, music has spread to such an extent that nobody is free from it. Individuals are confronted with situations where they are forced to listen to music. It is played nearly in all department stores and supermarkets. If you sit in a taxi, make a phone call or even walk down the street, you will not be saved from this evil. Young Muslims drive around in their cars with the music fully blasted. The increasing popularity of music, which is prevalent in our society, poses a great threat to the Muslims.
Music is a direct ploy of the non-Muslims. One of the main causes for the decline of the Muslims is their involvement in useless entertainment. Today we see that Muslims are involved, and at the forefront perhaps, of many immoralities and evils. The spiritual power which once was the trait of a Muslim is nowhere to be seen. One of the main reasons for this is music and useless entertainment.
Harms and effects of music
We should be aware that nothing has been prohibited by the Almighty Creator except that which is harmful to the Muslims and the society as a whole. There are great harms and ill-effects of music.
Islam totally forbids adultery and also those things that lead to it. Allah Most High says:
“And do not (even) 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. This is the reason why the Qur’an orders Muslim men and women to lower their gazes. It prohibits one from being alone with someone of the opposite sex (khalwa). Informal interaction with the opposite sex has also been made unlawful.
This is also one of the main reasons for the prohibition of music, as it effects one’s emotions, creates arousal, passion and excitement, and also leads to various physiological changes in the person. It is a psychological proven fact that two things are instrumental in arousing the human sexual desire, one being the voice of a female (for males) and the other music.
This is the reason why Allah Most High says:
“O wives of the prophet! You are not like other women, if you are god-fearing. So do not be soft in speech. Lest in whose heart is disease should be moved with desire.” (Surah al-Ahzab, v. 32)
Thus, Islam forbids listening to the female voice with lust and desire. The great Hanafi Jurist, Imam Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) states:
“It is permissible for women to converse with non-Mahram men at the time of need (and vice versa). However, what is not permissible is that they stretch, soften and raise their voice in a melodious way.” (Radd al-Muhtar, V.1, P. 406)
Similarly, it is also unlawful for women to listen to the voice of non-Mahram men with lust and desire. One of the great western thinkers said: “The voice is one of the quickest ways that make a woman fall in love with a man. This is the reason why many women adore singers.”
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) was also wary of this fact when he said to the Companion Bara ibn Malik: “O Bara! Let not the women here your voice.” (Kanz al-Ummal, 7/322) The same has also been reported from the Companion Anjasha (Allah be pleased with him).
Physical Effect of Music
Experiments carried out by doctors and researchers confirm that music is such that it does not only affect the brain, but each and every organ of the body. There is a close relationship between music and bodily movements.
It is also proved that music affects one’s emotions, increases arousal in terms of alertness and excitement and also leads to various psychological changes in the person. In a psychological experiment, it was found that listening to moderate type of music increased one’s normal heart beat, whilst listening to rock music the heart beat increased even further, yet people claim that music has no effect.
In conclusion, music and the instruments used for singing are a cause for arousing the sexual desire of an individual. It could lead a person to adultery and fornication. Therefore, Islam takes the preventive measure rather than suffer the consequences. This is also one of the principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, namely ‘blocking the means’ (sadd al-dhara'i). This is based on the idea of preventing an evil before it actually materializes, and is taken from the heart of the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah that, “Preventing harm is given precedence even to achieving possible benefits.”
Becoming Heedless of Allah
One of the harms of music is that it distracts one from his Creator. It serves as a temporary means of pleasure and satisfaction, which makes one forget who he really is and why he was created. This is the reason why musical instruments are known in the Arabic language as ‘malaahi’ meaning instruments that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
Human has been created for a noble purpose. Allah Most High says:
“I have created jinn and humans only that they serve (worship) me.” (Surah al-Dhariyat, 56)
Music and temporary entertainments sink the human in physical pleasures and prevent him/her from true spiritual gains. In conclusion, music has a great role to play in preventing a human from realising the purpose of creation.
Un-Islamic Values
Another harm of music is that it instils the ideologies of the non-Muslims in the heart and mind. The messages of today’s music follow a general theme of love, fornication, drugs and freedom.
We find that the whole world is obsessed with the Kufr idea of unrestrained freedom, i.e. freedom of speech and movement, etc… This idea of freedom, “it’s my life, I’ll do what I want” is a predominant theme of music today. It is used as a means of drilling western ideologies into the hearts and minds, which are totally contrary to Islamic values and teachings.
The Difference between Legal Wisdom and Legal Reason
The above are just some of the harms and evil effects of music. One must remember here that these are the wisdoms for the prohibition of music and not the reason (illah). The Shariah ruling is based upon the reason, and not the wisdom. In other words if the harms for the prohibition of music are taken care of, it will not make music permissible.
An example for this is that the wisdom behind the prohibition of wine and alcohol is that it creates enmity and hatred between people and it hinders one from the remembrance of Allah. The reason, however, is that it is an intoxicating substance. Now, if one was to say that wine will be Halal for me, as I will lock myself up after drinking wine, thus no destruction will be caused. Any sane person will conclude that he is wrong, as wine is Haram whether you cause any destruction and damage to others or not. The reason being is that the cause (illa) for the prohibition of wine is intoxication, regardless of whether the wisdom (hikma) is present or not.
The same is with music. If one is saved from the abovementioned harms, even then music will still remain Haram. It can not be held lawful even if one is saved from its harms. This is a well established principle in the science of Usul al-Fiqh.
Ruling on musical instruments and unlawful singing
In light of the evidences that will be mentioned shortly, the following are unlawful in Shariah:
a) Musical instruments that are exclusively designed for entertainment and dancing, and create charm, pleasure and bliss on their own (even without the singing), such as the drum, violin, guitar, fiddle, flute, lute, mandolin, harmonium, piano, string, etc are all impermissible and unlawful (haram) to use.
There is a consensus of the whole Ummah on this. Since the first century, the Companions (sahaba), their followers (tabi’in), jurists (fuqaha) and the scholars have been generally unanimous on this ruling.
b) Singing that is a cause for a sin is also unlawful with the consensus of all the scholars, such as songs that prevent one from the obligatory (fard & wajib).
c) Any singing that is accompanied by other sins, such as songs that consist of unlawful, immoral, and sexual themes, or it is sang by non-Mahram women, etc will also be unlawful. This ruling is also with the consensus of all the scholars.
Evidences
There are numerous evidences in the Qur’an and Sunnah which support this view. We will attempt to look at a few:
1) Allah Most High says:
“And there are among men, those that purchase idle tales, to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and throw ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment.” (Surah Luqman, V. 6)
The great Companion Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) states in the explanation of the word “idle tales”:
“By Allah its meaning is music.” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/223 & authenticated by al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, 2/411)
Imam Ibn Abi Shayba related with his own transmission that he (Ibn Mas’ud) said: “I swear by Him besides Whom there is no God that it refers to singing.” (132/5)
The great Companion and exegete of the Qur’an, Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) states:
“The meaning of the word is music, singing and the like.” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/221& Musannaf Ibn abi Shayba, 132/5)
He also stated:
“Music and the purchase of female singers.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, 132/5)
Hasan al-Basri (Allah be pleased with him) said:
“This verse was revealed in relation to singing and musical instruments.” (Tafsir ibn Kathir, 3/442)
The same explanation has also been narrated from Mujahid, Ikrima, Ibrahim Nakha’i, Mak’hul and others (may Allah be pleased with them all).
The above verse of the Qur’an, along with the statements regarding its meaning is clear in the prohibition of music. It also serves as a severe warning for those who are involved in the trade of music in any way, shape or form, as Allah warned them of “Humiliating punishment”.
As for those that say, the verse refers to things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah and not music, they do not contradict the aforementioned explanation. The interpretation of the verse with “things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah” is a more general interpretation which includes music and song, as one of the foremost things that stop you from the remembrance of Allah is music. This is the reason why the majority of the exegetes of the Qur’an have interpreted the verse with music only, or with all those acts that prevent one from the truth with music being at the forefront.
2) Allah Most High says whilst describing the attributes of the servants of the Most Compassionate (ibad al-Rahman):
“Those who witness no falsehood, and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable avoidance.” (Surah al-Furqan, V. 72)
Imam Abu Bakr al-Jassas relates from Sayyiduna Imam Abu Hanifah (Allah be pleased with him) that the meaning of “falsehood (zur)” is music & song. (Ahkam al-Qur’an, 3/428)
3) Allah Most High said to Shaytan:
“Lead to destruction those whom you can among them with your (seductive) voice.” (Surah al-Isra, V.64)
One of the great exegete, Mujahid (Allah have mercy on him) interpreted the word “voice (sawt)” by music, singing, dancing and idle things. (Ruh al-Ma’ani, 15/111)
Imam Suyuti (Allah have mercy on him) quoted Mujahid as saying: “Voice (in this verse) is singing and flute.” (al-Iklil fi istinbat al-tanzil, 1444)
Another exegete, Dahhak (Allah have mercy on him) also interpreted the word “Sawt” with flutes. (Qurtubi, al-Jami` li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 10/288)
Here also, a general interpretation can be given, as indeed some commentators of the Qur’an have done, but this, as mentioned earlier, does not contradict the meaning given by Mujahid and Dahhak, as it is included in the more broad and general meaning.
Guidance of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace)
The are many Ahadith of the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) which prohibit music and the usage of musical instruments to the extent that some scholars have gathered approximately forty Ahadith, of which the chain of transmission of some is authentic (sahih), some sound (hasan) and some weak (da’if). We will only mention a few here:
1) Sayyiduna Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) reports that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) say: “There will appear people in my Ummah, who will hold adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments to be lawful.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
2) Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) narrates a similar type of Hadith, but a different wording. He reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Soon there will be people from my Ummah who will consume alcohol, they will change its name (by regarding it permissible. m), on there heads will be instruments of music and singing. Allah will make the ground swallow them up, and turn them into monkeys and swine.” (Sahih Ibn Hibban & Sunan Ibn Majah, with a sound chain of narration)
In the above two narrations, the word ma’azif is used. The scholars of the Arabic language are unanimous on the fact that it refers to musical instruments. (Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, V.9, P.189)
The prohibition of musical instruments is clear in these two narrations. The first Hadith (recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari) mentions that certain people from the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) will try to justify the permissibility of using musical instruments, along with adultery, silk and alcohol, despite these things being unlawful (haram) in Shariah.
Moreover, by mentioning music with the likes of adultery and alcohol just shows how severe the sin is. The one who attempts to permit music is similar to the one who permits alcohol or adultery.
The second Hadith describes the fate of such people in that the ground will be ordered to swallow them and they will be turned into monkeys and swine (May Allah save us all). The warning is specific to those that will hold music, alcohol, silk and adultery to be permissible. It is something that should be of concern for those who try and justify any of these things.
Also, to say that music will only be unlawful if it is in combination with alcohol, adultery and silk is incorrect. If this was the case, then why is it that the exception is only for music from the four things? The same could also be said for adultery, alcohol and silk. One may then even justify that alcohol and adultery is also permissible unless if they are consumed in combination with the other things!
Thus, the above two narrations of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) are clear proof on the impermissibility of music and songs.
3) Imran ibn Husain (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “This Ummah will experience the swallowing up of some people by the earth, metamorphosis of some into animals, and being rained upon with stones”. A man from amongst the Muslims asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When will this be?” He said: “When female singers and musical instruments appear and alcohol will (commonly) be consumed.” (Recorded by Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Ibn Majah in their respective Sunan collections, and the wording here is of Sunan Tirmidhi)
4) Sayyiduna Ali ibn Talib (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “When my Ummah begin doing fifteen things, they will be inflicted with tribulations, and (from those 15 things He said): “When female singers and musical instruments become common.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)
5) Na’fi reports that once Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them both) heard the sound of a Sheppard’s flute. He put his fingers in his ears, turned his mule away from the road and said: “O Nafi’! Can you hear? I (Nafi’) replied with the affirmative. He carried on walking (with his fingers in his ears) until I said: “the sound has ceased” He removed his fingers from his ears, came back on to the road and said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) doing the same when he heard the flute of the Sheppard.” (Recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and Abu Dawud & Ibn Majah in their Sunans)
6) Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Verily Allah has forbidden alcohol, gambling, drum and guitar, and every intoxicant is haram.” (Musnad Ahmad & Sunan Abu Dawud)
7) Abu Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “Allah Mighty and Majestic sent me as a guidance and mercy to believers and commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affairs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance.”(Musnad Ahmad & Abu Dawud Tayalisi)
8) Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Song makes hypocrisy grow in the heart as water does herbage.” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi)
9) Sayyiduna Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “On the day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress.” (Recorded by Ibn Asakir & Ibn al-Misri)
10) Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Bell is the flute of Shaytan.” (Sahih Muslim & Sunan Abu Dawud)
There are many more narrations of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) in prohibition of musical instruments and unlawful singing. I have merely mentioned a few here as an example.
The great Imam of the Shafi’i school, Imam Ibn Hajr al-Haytami gathered all these Ahadith which approximately total to forty in his excellent work ‘Kaff al-Ra’a an Muharramat al-Lahw wa al-Sama’, and then said: “All of this is explicit and compelling textual evidence that musical instruments of all types are unlawful.” (2/270)
Statements of the Jurists (fuqaha)
The great Hanafi jurist, Imam al-Kasani states:
“If a singer gathers people around him only to entertain them with his voice, then he will not be considered an upright person (a’dil), even though if he does not consume alcohol, as he will be considered the leader of sinners. If however, he only sings to himself in order to eradicate loneliness, then there is nothing wrong in doing so.
As far as the one who uses musical instruments is concerned, if the instruments themselves are not unlawful, such as the bamboo and tambourine, then there is nothing wrong with that and he will still be considered upright. However, if the instrument is unlawful, such as the lute and the like, then he will not be considered an upright person (to be a witness in the court. m), as these instruments can never be considered lawful.” (Bada’I al-Sana’i, 6/269)
It is stated in Khulasat al-Fatawa:
“Listening to the sound of musical instruments is unlawful (haram), as the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Listening to songs is a sin.” (4/345)
Imam Ibn al-Humam, the great Hanafi Mujtahid makes a decisive statement in his famous Fath al-Qadir:
“Unlawful (haram) singing is when the theme of the song consists of unlawful things, such as the description of a particular living person’s beauty and features, the virtues of wine that provoke wine-drinking, the details and particulars of family affairs or those songs that mock and ridicule others.
However, songs that are free from such unlawful things and they consist of descriptions of the natural things, such as flowers and streams, etc… will be permissible. Yes, if they are accompanied by musical instruments, then it will be unlawful even if the song is full of advice and wisdom, not because of what the songs consist of, rather due to the musical instruments that are played with it. And it is stated in the al-Mugni of Ibn Qudamah (Hanbali Madhhab) that musical instruments are of two types:
1) Unlawful, Such as those that are specially designed for entertainment and singing, like the flute and mandolin, etc;
2) Lawful, like the playing of the tambourine (daff) at weddings and other happy occasions.” (See: Ibn Humam, Fath al-Qadir, 6/36)
The same has more or less been mentioned in the other Hanafi works also, such as al-Ikhtiyar, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya and others.
Imam an-Nawawi, the great Hadith and Shafi’i scholar states:
“It is unlawful to use or listen to musical instruments, such as, those which the drinkers are known for, like the mandolin, lute, cymbals, and flute. It is permissible to play the tambourine (daff) at weddings, circumcisions and other times, even if it has bells on its sides. Beating the Kuba, a long drum with a narrow middle, is also unlawful.” (Mugni al-Muhtaj, 4/429, & Reliance of the traveller, 775)
There are many other statements of the Fuqaha and scholars such al-Qurtubi, and in each of the four Madhhabs, but due to the length of the article, I will suffice with the above.
As for those who hold music to be lawful usually present the Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari in which two girls were singing in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her).
However, the permissibility of music can not be justified with this Hadith. The Hadith expert, Hafidh Ibn Hajr al-Asqalani has refuted this claim in length in his Fath al-Bari, 2/345).
Firstly, these young girls were singing without any unlawful musical instruments and secondly, the content of the song was regarding war, thus perfectly lawful. Also, they were not professional singers as the words of the Hadith clearly indicate.
Some try to justify music with the Hadith in which the permissibility of playing the tambourine (daff) is mentioned.
However, as stated in the works of the Fuqaha, to play the tambourine is permissible at weddings, as it is not designed for sole entertainment and pleasure, rather for announcement, etc…
Conclusion
In the light of the above evidences from the Qur’an, sayings of our beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) and texts of the various Fuqaha, the following is the decisive ruling with regards to music:
Musical instruments that are solely designed for entertainment are unlawful, with or without singing. However, to play the tambourine (daf) at weddings (and other occasions according to some fuqaha) will be permissible.
As far as the songs are concerned, if they consist of anything that is unlawful or they prevent one from the obligatory duties, then they will be unlawful. However, if they are free from the abovementioned things (and they are not accompanied by instruments), then it will be permissible to sing them.
And Allah knows best
Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK
http://daruliftaa.com/question.asp?txt_QuestionID=q-12513589
What does Islam say about Music and Singing?
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
The worst-case scenario in the event of being inflicted with a disease is when the one involved refuses to believe that he has been inflicted with that disease. The way this phenomenon is accepted and recognised in diseases and illnesses that affect the physical body, it is also true with regards to spiritual diseases and ailments.
When a person commits a sin (May Allah save us all) believing that a sin is being committed and feels regret and remorse in the heart, then this is far better than committing the sin and believing it to be lawful (halal). In the former situation, only one sin is being committed, and it is very likely that the individual may repent out of the remorse felt in the heart. In the latter case, however, in addition to the sin being committed, there is the greater sin of trying to justify it. Normally, such an individual does not receive the guidance to repent from his sin. (May Allah save us all, Ameen)
Music and Singing
The case with music and unlawful singing is the same. It has been decisively prohibited in Shariah, as the evidences mentioned further along will illustrate. Yet there are individuals who are not ready to believe that it is unlawful (haram).
In the modern era, music has spread to such an extent that nobody is free from it. Individuals are confronted with situations where they are forced to listen to music. It is played nearly in all department stores and supermarkets. If you sit in a taxi, make a phone call or even walk down the street, you will not be saved from this evil. Young Muslims drive around in their cars with the music fully blasted. The increasing popularity of music, which is prevalent in our society, poses a great threat to the Muslims.
Music is a direct ploy of the non-Muslims. One of the main causes for the decline of the Muslims is their involvement in useless entertainment. Today we see that Muslims are involved, and at the forefront perhaps, of many immoralities and evils. The spiritual power which once was the trait of a Muslim is nowhere to be seen. One of the main reasons for this is music and useless entertainment.
Harms and effects of music
We should be aware that nothing has been prohibited by the Almighty Creator except that which is harmful to the Muslims and the society as a whole. There are great harms and ill-effects of music.
Islam totally forbids adultery and also those things that lead to it. Allah Most High says:
“And do not (even) 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. This is the reason why the Qur’an orders Muslim men and women to lower their gazes. It prohibits one from being alone with someone of the opposite sex (khalwa). Informal interaction with the opposite sex has also been made unlawful.
This is also one of the main reasons for the prohibition of music, as it effects one’s emotions, creates arousal, passion and excitement, and also leads to various physiological changes in the person. It is a psychological proven fact that two things are instrumental in arousing the human sexual desire, one being the voice of a female (for males) and the other music.
This is the reason why Allah Most High says:
“O wives of the prophet! You are not like other women, if you are god-fearing. So do not be soft in speech. Lest in whose heart is disease should be moved with desire.” (Surah al-Ahzab, v. 32)
Thus, Islam forbids listening to the female voice with lust and desire. The great Hanafi Jurist, Imam Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) states:
“It is permissible for women to converse with non-Mahram men at the time of need (and vice versa). However, what is not permissible is that they stretch, soften and raise their voice in a melodious way.” (Radd al-Muhtar, V.1, P. 406)
Similarly, it is also unlawful for women to listen to the voice of non-Mahram men with lust and desire. One of the great western thinkers said: “The voice is one of the quickest ways that make a woman fall in love with a man. This is the reason why many women adore singers.”
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) was also wary of this fact when he said to the Companion Bara ibn Malik: “O Bara! Let not the women here your voice.” (Kanz al-Ummal, 7/322) The same has also been reported from the Companion Anjasha (Allah be pleased with him).
Physical Effect of Music
Experiments carried out by doctors and researchers confirm that music is such that it does not only affect the brain, but each and every organ of the body. There is a close relationship between music and bodily movements.
It is also proved that music affects one’s emotions, increases arousal in terms of alertness and excitement and also leads to various psychological changes in the person. In a psychological experiment, it was found that listening to moderate type of music increased one’s normal heart beat, whilst listening to rock music the heart beat increased even further, yet people claim that music has no effect.
In conclusion, music and the instruments used for singing are a cause for arousing the sexual desire of an individual. It could lead a person to adultery and fornication. Therefore, Islam takes the preventive measure rather than suffer the consequences. This is also one of the principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, namely ‘blocking the means’ (sadd al-dhara'i). This is based on the idea of preventing an evil before it actually materializes, and is taken from the heart of the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah that, “Preventing harm is given precedence even to achieving possible benefits.”
Becoming Heedless of Allah
One of the harms of music is that it distracts one from his Creator. It serves as a temporary means of pleasure and satisfaction, which makes one forget who he really is and why he was created. This is the reason why musical instruments are known in the Arabic language as ‘malaahi’ meaning instruments that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
Human has been created for a noble purpose. Allah Most High says:
“I have created jinn and humans only that they serve (worship) me.” (Surah al-Dhariyat, 56)
Music and temporary entertainments sink the human in physical pleasures and prevent him/her from true spiritual gains. In conclusion, music has a great role to play in preventing a human from realising the purpose of creation.
Un-Islamic Values
Another harm of music is that it instils the ideologies of the non-Muslims in the heart and mind. The messages of today’s music follow a general theme of love, fornication, drugs and freedom.
We find that the whole world is obsessed with the Kufr idea of unrestrained freedom, i.e. freedom of speech and movement, etc… This idea of freedom, “it’s my life, I’ll do what I want” is a predominant theme of music today. It is used as a means of drilling western ideologies into the hearts and minds, which are totally contrary to Islamic values and teachings.
The Difference between Legal Wisdom and Legal Reason
The above are just some of the harms and evil effects of music. One must remember here that these are the wisdoms for the prohibition of music and not the reason (illah). The Shariah ruling is based upon the reason, and not the wisdom. In other words if the harms for the prohibition of music are taken care of, it will not make music permissible.
An example for this is that the wisdom behind the prohibition of wine and alcohol is that it creates enmity and hatred between people and it hinders one from the remembrance of Allah. The reason, however, is that it is an intoxicating substance. Now, if one was to say that wine will be Halal for me, as I will lock myself up after drinking wine, thus no destruction will be caused. Any sane person will conclude that he is wrong, as wine is Haram whether you cause any destruction and damage to others or not. The reason being is that the cause (illa) for the prohibition of wine is intoxication, regardless of whether the wisdom (hikma) is present or not.
The same is with music. If one is saved from the abovementioned harms, even then music will still remain Haram. It can not be held lawful even if one is saved from its harms. This is a well established principle in the science of Usul al-Fiqh.
Ruling on musical instruments and unlawful singing
In light of the evidences that will be mentioned shortly, the following are unlawful in Shariah:
a) Musical instruments that are exclusively designed for entertainment and dancing, and create charm, pleasure and bliss on their own (even without the singing), such as the drum, violin, guitar, fiddle, flute, lute, mandolin, harmonium, piano, string, etc are all impermissible and unlawful (haram) to use.
There is a consensus of the whole Ummah on this. Since the first century, the Companions (sahaba), their followers (tabi’in), jurists (fuqaha) and the scholars have been generally unanimous on this ruling.
b) Singing that is a cause for a sin is also unlawful with the consensus of all the scholars, such as songs that prevent one from the obligatory (fard & wajib).
c) Any singing that is accompanied by other sins, such as songs that consist of unlawful, immoral, and sexual themes, or it is sang by non-Mahram women, etc will also be unlawful. This ruling is also with the consensus of all the scholars.
Evidences
There are numerous evidences in the Qur’an and Sunnah which support this view. We will attempt to look at a few:
1) Allah Most High says:
“And there are among men, those that purchase idle tales, to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and throw ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment.” (Surah Luqman, V. 6)
The great Companion Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) states in the explanation of the word “idle tales”:
“By Allah its meaning is music.” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/223 & authenticated by al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, 2/411)
Imam Ibn Abi Shayba related with his own transmission that he (Ibn Mas’ud) said: “I swear by Him besides Whom there is no God that it refers to singing.” (132/5)
The great Companion and exegete of the Qur’an, Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) states:
“The meaning of the word is music, singing and the like.” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/221& Musannaf Ibn abi Shayba, 132/5)
He also stated:
“Music and the purchase of female singers.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, 132/5)
Hasan al-Basri (Allah be pleased with him) said:
“This verse was revealed in relation to singing and musical instruments.” (Tafsir ibn Kathir, 3/442)
The same explanation has also been narrated from Mujahid, Ikrima, Ibrahim Nakha’i, Mak’hul and others (may Allah be pleased with them all).
The above verse of the Qur’an, along with the statements regarding its meaning is clear in the prohibition of music. It also serves as a severe warning for those who are involved in the trade of music in any way, shape or form, as Allah warned them of “Humiliating punishment”.
As for those that say, the verse refers to things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah and not music, they do not contradict the aforementioned explanation. The interpretation of the verse with “things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah” is a more general interpretation which includes music and song, as one of the foremost things that stop you from the remembrance of Allah is music. This is the reason why the majority of the exegetes of the Qur’an have interpreted the verse with music only, or with all those acts that prevent one from the truth with music being at the forefront.
2) Allah Most High says whilst describing the attributes of the servants of the Most Compassionate (ibad al-Rahman):
“Those who witness no falsehood, and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable avoidance.” (Surah al-Furqan, V. 72)
Imam Abu Bakr al-Jassas relates from Sayyiduna Imam Abu Hanifah (Allah be pleased with him) that the meaning of “falsehood (zur)” is music & song. (Ahkam al-Qur’an, 3/428)
3) Allah Most High said to Shaytan:
“Lead to destruction those whom you can among them with your (seductive) voice.” (Surah al-Isra, V.64)
One of the great exegete, Mujahid (Allah have mercy on him) interpreted the word “voice (sawt)” by music, singing, dancing and idle things. (Ruh al-Ma’ani, 15/111)
Imam Suyuti (Allah have mercy on him) quoted Mujahid as saying: “Voice (in this verse) is singing and flute.” (al-Iklil fi istinbat al-tanzil, 1444)
Another exegete, Dahhak (Allah have mercy on him) also interpreted the word “Sawt” with flutes. (Qurtubi, al-Jami` li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 10/288)
Here also, a general interpretation can be given, as indeed some commentators of the Qur’an have done, but this, as mentioned earlier, does not contradict the meaning given by Mujahid and Dahhak, as it is included in the more broad and general meaning.
Guidance of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace)
The are many Ahadith of the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) which prohibit music and the usage of musical instruments to the extent that some scholars have gathered approximately forty Ahadith, of which the chain of transmission of some is authentic (sahih), some sound (hasan) and some weak (da’if). We will only mention a few here:
1) Sayyiduna Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) reports that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) say: “There will appear people in my Ummah, who will hold adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments to be lawful.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
2) Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) narrates a similar type of Hadith, but a different wording. He reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Soon there will be people from my Ummah who will consume alcohol, they will change its name (by regarding it permissible. m), on there heads will be instruments of music and singing. Allah will make the ground swallow them up, and turn them into monkeys and swine.” (Sahih Ibn Hibban & Sunan Ibn Majah, with a sound chain of narration)
In the above two narrations, the word ma’azif is used. The scholars of the Arabic language are unanimous on the fact that it refers to musical instruments. (Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, V.9, P.189)
The prohibition of musical instruments is clear in these two narrations. The first Hadith (recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari) mentions that certain people from the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) will try to justify the permissibility of using musical instruments, along with adultery, silk and alcohol, despite these things being unlawful (haram) in Shariah.
Moreover, by mentioning music with the likes of adultery and alcohol just shows how severe the sin is. The one who attempts to permit music is similar to the one who permits alcohol or adultery.
The second Hadith describes the fate of such people in that the ground will be ordered to swallow them and they will be turned into monkeys and swine (May Allah save us all). The warning is specific to those that will hold music, alcohol, silk and adultery to be permissible. It is something that should be of concern for those who try and justify any of these things.
Also, to say that music will only be unlawful if it is in combination with alcohol, adultery and silk is incorrect. If this was the case, then why is it that the exception is only for music from the four things? The same could also be said for adultery, alcohol and silk. One may then even justify that alcohol and adultery is also permissible unless if they are consumed in combination with the other things!
Thus, the above two narrations of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) are clear proof on the impermissibility of music and songs.
3) Imran ibn Husain (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “This Ummah will experience the swallowing up of some people by the earth, metamorphosis of some into animals, and being rained upon with stones”. A man from amongst the Muslims asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When will this be?” He said: “When female singers and musical instruments appear and alcohol will (commonly) be consumed.” (Recorded by Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Ibn Majah in their respective Sunan collections, and the wording here is of Sunan Tirmidhi)
4) Sayyiduna Ali ibn Talib (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “When my Ummah begin doing fifteen things, they will be inflicted with tribulations, and (from those 15 things He said): “When female singers and musical instruments become common.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)
5) Na’fi reports that once Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them both) heard the sound of a Sheppard’s flute. He put his fingers in his ears, turned his mule away from the road and said: “O Nafi’! Can you hear? I (Nafi’) replied with the affirmative. He carried on walking (with his fingers in his ears) until I said: “the sound has ceased” He removed his fingers from his ears, came back on to the road and said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) doing the same when he heard the flute of the Sheppard.” (Recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and Abu Dawud & Ibn Majah in their Sunans)
6) Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Verily Allah has forbidden alcohol, gambling, drum and guitar, and every intoxicant is haram.” (Musnad Ahmad & Sunan Abu Dawud)
7) Abu Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “Allah Mighty and Majestic sent me as a guidance and mercy to believers and commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affairs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance.”(Musnad Ahmad & Abu Dawud Tayalisi)
8) Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Song makes hypocrisy grow in the heart as water does herbage.” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi)
9) Sayyiduna Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “On the day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress.” (Recorded by Ibn Asakir & Ibn al-Misri)
10) Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Bell is the flute of Shaytan.” (Sahih Muslim & Sunan Abu Dawud)
There are many more narrations of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) in prohibition of musical instruments and unlawful singing. I have merely mentioned a few here as an example.
The great Imam of the Shafi’i school, Imam Ibn Hajr al-Haytami gathered all these Ahadith which approximately total to forty in his excellent work ‘Kaff al-Ra’a an Muharramat al-Lahw wa al-Sama’, and then said: “All of this is explicit and compelling textual evidence that musical instruments of all types are unlawful.” (2/270)
Statements of the Jurists (fuqaha)
The great Hanafi jurist, Imam al-Kasani states:
“If a singer gathers people around him only to entertain them with his voice, then he will not be considered an upright person (a’dil), even though if he does not consume alcohol, as he will be considered the leader of sinners. If however, he only sings to himself in order to eradicate loneliness, then there is nothing wrong in doing so.
As far as the one who uses musical instruments is concerned, if the instruments themselves are not unlawful, such as the bamboo and tambourine, then there is nothing wrong with that and he will still be considered upright. However, if the instrument is unlawful, such as the lute and the like, then he will not be considered an upright person (to be a witness in the court. m), as these instruments can never be considered lawful.” (Bada’I al-Sana’i, 6/269)
It is stated in Khulasat al-Fatawa:
“Listening to the sound of musical instruments is unlawful (haram), as the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Listening to songs is a sin.” (4/345)
Imam Ibn al-Humam, the great Hanafi Mujtahid makes a decisive statement in his famous Fath al-Qadir:
“Unlawful (haram) singing is when the theme of the song consists of unlawful things, such as the description of a particular living person’s beauty and features, the virtues of wine that provoke wine-drinking, the details and particulars of family affairs or those songs that mock and ridicule others.
However, songs that are free from such unlawful things and they consist of descriptions of the natural things, such as flowers and streams, etc… will be permissible. Yes, if they are accompanied by musical instruments, then it will be unlawful even if the song is full of advice and wisdom, not because of what the songs consist of, rather due to the musical instruments that are played with it. And it is stated in the al-Mugni of Ibn Qudamah (Hanbali Madhhab) that musical instruments are of two types:
1) Unlawful, Such as those that are specially designed for entertainment and singing, like the flute and mandolin, etc;
2) Lawful, like the playing of the tambourine (daff) at weddings and other happy occasions.” (See: Ibn Humam, Fath al-Qadir, 6/36)
The same has more or less been mentioned in the other Hanafi works also, such as al-Ikhtiyar, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya and others.
Imam an-Nawawi, the great Hadith and Shafi’i scholar states:
“It is unlawful to use or listen to musical instruments, such as, those which the drinkers are known for, like the mandolin, lute, cymbals, and flute. It is permissible to play the tambourine (daff) at weddings, circumcisions and other times, even if it has bells on its sides. Beating the Kuba, a long drum with a narrow middle, is also unlawful.” (Mugni al-Muhtaj, 4/429, & Reliance of the traveller, 775)
There are many other statements of the Fuqaha and scholars such al-Qurtubi, and in each of the four Madhhabs, but due to the length of the article, I will suffice with the above.
As for those who hold music to be lawful usually present the Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari in which two girls were singing in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her).
However, the permissibility of music can not be justified with this Hadith. The Hadith expert, Hafidh Ibn Hajr al-Asqalani has refuted this claim in length in his Fath al-Bari, 2/345).
Firstly, these young girls were singing without any unlawful musical instruments and secondly, the content of the song was regarding war, thus perfectly lawful. Also, they were not professional singers as the words of the Hadith clearly indicate.
Some try to justify music with the Hadith in which the permissibility of playing the tambourine (daff) is mentioned.
However, as stated in the works of the Fuqaha, to play the tambourine is permissible at weddings, as it is not designed for sole entertainment and pleasure, rather for announcement, etc…
Conclusion
In the light of the above evidences from the Qur’an, sayings of our beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) and texts of the various Fuqaha, the following is the decisive ruling with regards to music:
Musical instruments that are solely designed for entertainment are unlawful, with or without singing. However, to play the tambourine (daf) at weddings (and other occasions according to some fuqaha) will be permissible.
As far as the songs are concerned, if they consist of anything that is unlawful or they prevent one from the obligatory duties, then they will be unlawful. However, if they are free from the abovementioned things (and they are not accompanied by instruments), then it will be permissible to sing them.
And Allah knows best
Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK
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