What is the ruling on listening to the *Ashjan* tape?

The questioner : Your Eminence the Shaykh! What is your opinion of the tape that one of the brothers released under the title *Ashjan*? And is it true that its owner met with you before its release and you gave him permission, but you did not write the permission for him in writing?

The Shaykh : This is not correct. I did not know its owner, and he did not come to me. However, the tape was presented to me and I listened to it. Most of it is obscure because it is surrounded by what is called rust, so the words are not clear. But some people brought me a paper on which the poem or poems were written, and they read it to me, and I found nothing wrong with it. However, the fact that it was released in this state is what created the problem. Therefore, I did not forbid it, nor did I give permission for it, but some of our brothers warned against it.

The questioner : Your Eminence the Shaykh! The stone is not hidden from you.

The Shaykh : I say that if a person wants to entertain himself by listening to poems, he should choose beneficial poems, such as the recording of Ibn al-Qayyim’s *Nuniyyah*. It was recorded with the voices of some reciters. This will benefit you with knowledge and provide some entertainment.