What is the ruling on listening to Islamic nasheeds?
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The questioner : We have a questioner with us now, please go ahead, my brother. Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : Upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah. Shaykh, I would like to ask, may Allah bless you, about the ruling on Islamic nasheeds that are sold in Islamic recordings. We have heard some people say that they advise against listening to them. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment.
Regarding Islamic nasheeds, I cannot issue a general ruling on them because they differ. It was mentioned to me that some Islamic nasheeds have been converted into the melodies of lowly singing, which is of no good, and that they are now chanted with soft, delicate voices that may lead women astray, and perhaps also lead astray those men who have already deviated. Therefore, it is not possible to issue a general ruling on them until a person listens to the nasheed itself and identifies it specifically, saying, for example, "this one is not suitable" and "this one is suitable." This is if it is free from musical instruments. However, if it is accompanied by musical instruments, there is no doubt that it is forbidden in all cases.
The questioner : So you advise against listening to them, Shaykh?
The Shaykh : By Allah, it is better not to have them with me; it is better.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : If someone were to say, "I am afflicted, and I must either listen to these or to other songs, the prohibition of listening to which is certain," it is well known that repelling the greater of two evils by the lesser is a required matter.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : But I see that the resolute person avoids everything that contains doubt. Whoever avoids doubtful matters has protected his religion and his honor.
The Shaykh : Upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah. Shaykh, I would like to ask, may Allah bless you, about the ruling on Islamic nasheeds that are sold in Islamic recordings. We have heard some people say that they advise against listening to them. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment.
Regarding Islamic nasheeds, I cannot issue a general ruling on them because they differ. It was mentioned to me that some Islamic nasheeds have been converted into the melodies of lowly singing, which is of no good, and that they are now chanted with soft, delicate voices that may lead women astray, and perhaps also lead astray those men who have already deviated. Therefore, it is not possible to issue a general ruling on them until a person listens to the nasheed itself and identifies it specifically, saying, for example, "this one is not suitable" and "this one is suitable." This is if it is free from musical instruments. However, if it is accompanied by musical instruments, there is no doubt that it is forbidden in all cases.
The questioner : So you advise against listening to them, Shaykh?
The Shaykh : By Allah, it is better not to have them with me; it is better.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : If someone were to say, "I am afflicted, and I must either listen to these or to other songs, the prohibition of listening to which is certain," it is well known that repelling the greater of two evils by the lesser is a required matter.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : But I see that the resolute person avoids everything that contains doubt. Whoever avoids doubtful matters has protected his religion and his honor.
Source
قناة «فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين»، 2347- ما حكم سماع الأناشيد الإسلامية/سؤال على الهاتف 📞 /ابن عثيمين — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.