The Ruling on the Anashid Circulated Among Muslims

The questioner : What is the ruling on the anashid circulated among Muslims?

The Shaykh : The anashid circulated among Muslims are, for the most part, not of Islam. This is from two aspects, which may sometimes coincide and sometimes differ. One aspect is that it is observed that these anashid are invariably sung in the style of lewd songs, not in the natural Arabic style, as the early Salaf used to recite poetry before the Messenger (peace be upon him) with force, not with humming and singing in the style of lewd singers. This is the first aspect, and it is inherent in what is called today Islamic anashid or religious anashid. The other thing, which may differ from some anashid, is that sometimes there are in them some phrases that are not permissible to utter, not permissible to speak, let alone to sing and take pleasure in. So if the anashid contain any of that, then they are, without doubt, as it is said, darkness upon darkness.
In summary, if poetry is recited on an occasion without singing or melodic intonation, but in the natural Arabic style, and on the condition that it is sound and acceptable speech, then there is no harm in that. If this condition is not met, it is not permissible. And I want, in concluding the answer to this question, to draw attention to the fact that one of the effects of adopting these anashid and singing them is that it diverts those who engage in these anashid, usually, from singing the Noble Qur'an and caring for its recitation. This Qur'an about which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "He is not one of us who does not sing the Qur'an." And I know that many of the young people today put on the tape that has some of these anashid, they listen and take pleasure in it, if that is the right expression, and this is their habit and their custom. As for caring for the Qur'an, he (peace be upon him) said in the hadith that it is more likely to slip from the hearts of men than camels from their ropes. And everything that diverts from caring for the recitation of the Qur'an and singing it, even if it is permissible and contains none of the prohibited things mentioned earlier, is sufficient that it turns away from the remembrance of Allah, so it is not permissible. Now it is ten o'clock and a third, all ten questions.

The questioner : Questions. All ten questions remained.

The Shaykh : What Allah willed, so we will stay with you for another ten minutes, if Allah wills, until ten thirty. Please, sister of Usamah.