The Ruling on Replacing Songs with What Is Called Islamic Anthems

The questioner:
May Allah reward you. Her other question asks: What is the ruling on listening to Islamic anthems in order to replace singing?

The Shaykh:
Do not listen to anthems or to singing. Both are the same; the anthems are a type of singing, and they are not Islamic. Islam does not have anthems. This is a name invented by some of the Sufis or by some who imitate the Sufis. It is obligatory for the Muslim to listen to the Qur'an and to listen to the remembrance of Allah the Exalted. He is not in need of listening to anthems that take up his time and distract him from the remembrance of Allah the Exalted. Yes.

The questioner:
Some people argue with the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): "Be skilled with the crystal glasses, O Anjash."

The Shaykh:
This is one person chanting while traveling.

The questioner:
Chanting with the Ahn, meaning.

The Shaykh:
Yes, one person while traveling with a single voice, not a collective voice or collective melodic anthems as is the case now. This is not of that type. So, when people get tired of walking while traveling, there is no harm in one person chanting with his voice so that the camels walk to his voice, and so that the travelers are energized and drowsiness is driven away from them. Yes, this is a single voice, one person, not anthems. Yes.

The presenter:
Yes.