The Ruling on the Use of Music in the Army
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Many military students, whom Allah has blessed with commitment, are hesitant about listening to music—I mean: specifically the music of the infantry—so how should they act, given that the music is mandatory?
There is no doubt that music in the army and outside the army is a calamity that has befallen people today, and it has become part of their work in some sectors. This is undoubtedly ignorance of the Shari'ah, or negligence, or following some of the scholars who have permitted it; for among the scholars are those who have permitted musical instruments on the grounds that the hadith regarding them in Sahih al-Bukhari has a break in its chain—as they claim—And among these: Ibn Hazm, and some contemporary scholars. So perhaps some people rely on such weak statements and think they have a proof for this.
But we see that musical instruments are forbidden, whether in the army or outside the army, and that it is obligatory for Muslims to be content with what Allah has made lawful for them instead of what He has forbidden. Courage and boldness are never based on this. What fills the hearts with courage and boldness is the remembrance of Allah (Mighty and Majestic),Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Anfal: 45], this is what fills the hearts with courage and boldness.
But in any case: These brothers who dislike music or playing instruments are rewarded for their dislike and are recompensed by Allah. If they are able to remove it or reduce it, that is what is required. If they are not able to, they should not abandon the great benefits of joining the army for this minor harm relative to the benefits; for a person should compare the benefits and the harms. If the people of good abandon such actions because of this sin, it remains for the people of evil. You know the danger of the army if it is not granted to be led by people of good. I do not wish to specify by giving examples, but when the people of evil and corruption took over the armies and reached the seat of power, what was the result? It was of the evil and corruption that Allah knows best.
So I urge my committed brothers, in particular, to join the army and to seek help from Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in reforming what they are able to reform. And this harm—I mean: the harm of music or playing instruments—is a harm in which there is no doubt in my view, even though there is a disagreement I mentioned a moment ago;But I say: this harm is submerged beside the great, large benefits of people of religion and righteousness taking charge of leading the army.
There is no doubt that music in the army and outside the army is a calamity that has befallen people today, and it has become part of their work in some sectors. This is undoubtedly ignorance of the Shari'ah, or negligence, or following some of the scholars who have permitted it; for among the scholars are those who have permitted musical instruments on the grounds that the hadith regarding them in Sahih al-Bukhari has a break in its chain—as they claim—And among these: Ibn Hazm, and some contemporary scholars. So perhaps some people rely on such weak statements and think they have a proof for this.
But we see that musical instruments are forbidden, whether in the army or outside the army, and that it is obligatory for Muslims to be content with what Allah has made lawful for them instead of what He has forbidden. Courage and boldness are never based on this. What fills the hearts with courage and boldness is the remembrance of Allah (Mighty and Majestic),Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوا وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيراً لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَBut in any case: These brothers who dislike music or playing instruments are rewarded for their dislike and are recompensed by Allah. If they are able to remove it or reduce it, that is what is required. If they are not able to, they should not abandon the great benefits of joining the army for this minor harm relative to the benefits; for a person should compare the benefits and the harms. If the people of good abandon such actions because of this sin, it remains for the people of evil. You know the danger of the army if it is not granted to be led by people of good. I do not wish to specify by giving examples, but when the people of evil and corruption took over the armies and reached the seat of power, what was the result? It was of the evil and corruption that Allah knows best.
So I urge my committed brothers, in particular, to join the army and to seek help from Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in reforming what they are able to reform. And this harm—I mean: the harm of music or playing instruments—is a harm in which there is no doubt in my view, even though there is a disagreement I mentioned a moment ago;But I say: this harm is submerged beside the great, large benefits of people of religion and righteousness taking charge of leading the army.