What is the ruling on using the hand drum and listening to audio tapes outside of special occasions?

The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : May Allah reward you. What is the ruling on the hand drum, and what is the ruling on listening to audio tapes outside of special occasions, for example, not during celebrations or occasions?

The Shaykh : Yes, first know, may Allah bless you, that the original ruling regarding musical instruments is prohibition. This is the original ruling based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family): meaning they make lawful the forbidden private parts, the wearing of silk, intoxicants, and musical instruments. So the original ruling for all musical instruments, such as hand drums, drums, flutes, and others, is prohibition. And since the original ruling is prohibition, we do not depart from this generality and this original ruling except for what evidence indicates is permissible. The evidence indicates that the hand drum is permissible in special occasions, either a wedding, a festival, or the arrival of an absent person who has status in the community. As for the wedding, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that the hand drum be used and singing be done in it. As for the day of the festival, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the two girls who were singing on the days of the festival, so Abu Bakr rebuked them, and he said: As for the arrival of an absent person, it is because and if it were forbidden, he would not have commanded her to fulfill her vow. Other than that, it is not permissible. Therefore, if a person uses the hand drum in a recording outside of a special occasion, it is not permissible. Al-Yasir