The Ruling on Using Music to Treat Diseases
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Shaykh Abdul Aziz, at the beginning of our meeting in this episode, we return to the letter of our brother Abdul Hadi al-Nur Bashir from the People's Armed Forces in Khartoum, the Republic of Sudan. Our brother says: In our country, there are hospitals for mental illnesses, and some doctors say that music is psychological calm. What is the ruling on that in Islam, especially since many people see that they have benefited from it?
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
As for what follows:
Music and other instruments of amusement are all evil and calamity. They are not among the causes of calm, but rather they are among the things by which Satan beautifies enjoyment and calls to it, so that he occupies souls with falsehood instead of truth, and distracts them from what Allah loves toward what Allah hates and has forbidden. Music, the oud, and all types of entertainment are all munkar (what is wrong), and none of them is permissible to use for treating patients. Rather, patients are treated with types of medicine that benefit them in their illness, whether tangible or intangible. Reciting the Qur'an, increasing the remembrance of Allah, glorification, saying Allahu Akbar, and seeking forgiveness—all of this calms the souls and brings them tranquility, if they are believing souls. If a person has some anxiety, he should increase the remembrance of Allah, the glorification, saying Allahu Akbar, and praising Allah, and seeking forgiveness. He should be told stories that are suitable for him and contain no harm. The doctor tells him, or his brothers and visitors tell him.
As for being distracted by music or other instruments of amusement, that is munkar (what is wrong), and it is among the beautification of Satan, and its consequence is severe, even if one takes pleasure in it for a short time, because Satan has beautified it for him, and because souls are inclined to the sounds of entertainment. But its consequence is severe, may Allah protect us from it. Yes.
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
As for what follows:
Music and other instruments of amusement are all evil and calamity. They are not among the causes of calm, but rather they are among the things by which Satan beautifies enjoyment and calls to it, so that he occupies souls with falsehood instead of truth, and distracts them from what Allah loves toward what Allah hates and has forbidden. Music, the oud, and all types of entertainment are all munkar (what is wrong), and none of them is permissible to use for treating patients. Rather, patients are treated with types of medicine that benefit them in their illness, whether tangible or intangible. Reciting the Qur'an, increasing the remembrance of Allah, glorification, saying Allahu Akbar, and seeking forgiveness—all of this calms the souls and brings them tranquility, if they are believing souls. If a person has some anxiety, he should increase the remembrance of Allah, the glorification, saying Allahu Akbar, and praising Allah, and seeking forgiveness. He should be told stories that are suitable for him and contain no harm. The doctor tells him, or his brothers and visitors tell him.
As for being distracted by music or other instruments of amusement, that is munkar (what is wrong), and it is among the beautification of Satan, and its consequence is severe, even if one takes pleasure in it for a short time, because Satan has beautified it for him, and because souls are inclined to the sounds of entertainment. But its consequence is severe, may Allah protect us from it. Yes.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.