The Ruling on Songs and Music
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Question:
It has been said: Songs are forbidden because of the music. Is this correct? Is the music itself forbidden, or is it the erotic poetry sung within it that is forbidden? There are also some instruments; are they forbidden or not? Specifically: the drum, the rabab, the flute, the reed pipe, and the piano?
Answer:
Songs are forbidden, and the scholars have explicitly stated this. Some scholars have reported the consensus of the scholars on this matter. Among the evidence for this is the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Luqman: 6]. Most scholars of exegesis said that this refers to songs, as well as the sounds of amusement. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 5590. "Al-Har" refers to the forbidden private parts, meaning: fornication. Silk is well known to be forbidden for men. Intoxicants are well known to be forbidden for everyone, and they are the intoxicating substance. "Al-Ma'azif" refers to songs and the instruments of amusement used to play them.
Therefore, it is obligatory for every believing man and woman to be cautious of this, and it is not permissible to listen to it, whether from a radio or from any other source.
As for Arabic poetry that appears in the speech of the Arabs, or in the speech of the Companions and others, there is no harm in it if it contains something good, such as the poetry recited by the people of goodness, the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and those who came after them. This is not included in songs. Poetry in the language of the Arabs and in the meters of the Arabs, in what benefits people, such as urging adherence to the religion, generosity, nobility, chastity, and staying away from what Allah has forbidden—these are acceptable poems, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding them:Sunan Abi Dawud 5010Sahih (Al-Albani). Hassan ibn Thabit used to recite poetry in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and also in the mosque, satirizing the polytheists and calling to Islam. Similarly, others like Ka'b ibn Malik, Abdullah ibn Rawahah, and others, and likewise the scholars after the Companions.
The point is that poetry in the Arabic language that benefits people is not harmful and is not considered songs. Songs are those that are in singing meters, either in the meters of men imitating women, or in the meters of women. This is what harms people, arouses desires, and leads to corruption, especially if it is in praise of women, intoxicants, or sodomy... or other things that Allah has forbidden. Thus, the singing voice combines with the corrupt meaning, resulting in much evil and great corruption. For this reason, the scholars mentioned the prohibition of this and the scholars explicitly stated it. The scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) elaborated on this in his book: (Ighathat al-Lahfan fi Makayid al-Shaytan).
Therefore, the Muslim man and woman must be cautious of this and not listen to it, whether from a tape, a radio, a television, or anything else, in order to preserve the religion, preserve dignity, and avoid the causes of trial and corruption. If songs are accompanied by instruments of amusement, such as the rabab and other types of amusement like the drum, music, and the reed pipe... and the like, the sin becomes greater.
Ibn al-Salah and others mentioned the consensus of the scholars on the prohibition of what involves the combination of singing with instruments of amusement, as the evil becomes greater and the trial larger. If singing is alone without an instrument of amusement, the majority of scholars hold the view, which is like their consensus, that it is forbidden due to the corruption in it. If instruments of amusement are added to it, such as music, the reed pipe, or other instruments of amusement like the drum and the rabab, and the like, all of this makes it more strictly forbidden and more corrupt. We ask Allah for well-being for everyone. Yes.
The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good.
It has been said: Songs are forbidden because of the music. Is this correct? Is the music itself forbidden, or is it the erotic poetry sung within it that is forbidden? There are also some instruments; are they forbidden or not? Specifically: the drum, the rabab, the flute, the reed pipe, and the piano?
Answer:
Songs are forbidden, and the scholars have explicitly stated this. Some scholars have reported the consensus of the scholars on this matter. Among the evidence for this is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍFrom among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful.
ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازفTherefore, it is obligatory for every believing man and woman to be cautious of this, and it is not permissible to listen to it, whether from a radio or from any other source.
As for Arabic poetry that appears in the speech of the Arabs, or in the speech of the Companions and others, there is no harm in it if it contains something good, such as the poetry recited by the people of goodness, the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and those who came after them. This is not included in songs. Poetry in the language of the Arabs and in the meters of the Arabs, in what benefits people, such as urging adherence to the religion, generosity, nobility, chastity, and staying away from what Allah has forbidden—these are acceptable poems, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding them:
In poetry there is wisdom.
إن من الشعر حكمةThe point is that poetry in the Arabic language that benefits people is not harmful and is not considered songs. Songs are those that are in singing meters, either in the meters of men imitating women, or in the meters of women. This is what harms people, arouses desires, and leads to corruption, especially if it is in praise of women, intoxicants, or sodomy... or other things that Allah has forbidden. Thus, the singing voice combines with the corrupt meaning, resulting in much evil and great corruption. For this reason, the scholars mentioned the prohibition of this and the scholars explicitly stated it. The scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) elaborated on this in his book: (Ighathat al-Lahfan fi Makayid al-Shaytan).
Therefore, the Muslim man and woman must be cautious of this and not listen to it, whether from a tape, a radio, a television, or anything else, in order to preserve the religion, preserve dignity, and avoid the causes of trial and corruption. If songs are accompanied by instruments of amusement, such as the rabab and other types of amusement like the drum, music, and the reed pipe... and the like, the sin becomes greater.
Ibn al-Salah and others mentioned the consensus of the scholars on the prohibition of what involves the combination of singing with instruments of amusement, as the evil becomes greater and the trial larger. If singing is alone without an instrument of amusement, the majority of scholars hold the view, which is like their consensus, that it is forbidden due to the corruption in it. If instruments of amusement are added to it, such as music, the reed pipe, or other instruments of amusement like the drum and the rabab, and the like, all of this makes it more strictly forbidden and more corrupt. We ask Allah for well-being for everyone. Yes.
The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.