As the subject states, this thread is not about the legality of music itself - this subject is pretty pointless to paddle back and forth about. It's been done.

What I would like to get your view on is this:

I enjoy music. I always have. But now that I'm trying my best to become more practicing InshAllah, I am doing my best to turn away from what is forbidden (even the smaller things). However, I do have an attachment to music (I know this is dunya related, so no need to remind me on this ), but I have switched to music that is positive and reminds me of what is good InshAllah. Also, I am trying my best to cut down to how much I listen to. And may Allah (SWT) increase my efforts. Ameen.

I've done a bit of research on the subject and have found many strong arguments for and against listening to music (with instruments). Some are strongly for and some strongly against. Both sides of the argument are supported by learned and respected scholars. So to which side do I follow?

Giving up music right now is very tough for me (you might not understand why, but this is just one of my own personal battles). So do I stuggle in cutting out music completely from my life despite changing what and how often I listen to, considering that it is permissable to some scholars? Or do I struggle and follow the other scholars who say it's 7aram?

Like I said, this isn't about music, so there's no need for us to get into that. This question could be applied to almost any subject of contraversy...

Does a person follow side A of the 3ulamah who permit the action and take the easy route (considering that Islam is a religion of ease), or does the person follow side B prohibitting the action and struggle?

Please let's keep in mind that I'm talking about the smaller issues and definately not the bigger ones at all which are crystal-clear in their evidences.

I'm smack in the middle right now, so it would be good to get your ideas on the subject. Just another reminder, this isn't about the music, it's about which side to pick when it comes to subjects of this nature.

Jazakum Allah Khair for whatever you can contribute to this discussion.

To the best of my knowledge, music is considered haram by the vast majority of scholars (including the four imams and the prophets companions!) who also have much stronger evidence for their claim. So the split isn't 50-50, as you might think.

About what to take- the righteous Muslims amongst the early generations used to avoid even the halal things for fear of falling into haram- subhanallah! Which is why I would suggest, generally, it is better to take the safe side and not do the act if some scholars consider it haram.

But that depends on the strength of the arguments I would say... it they truly are 50-50 as you say.

Progressive Trance... you cannot beat it! It gives you a feel good factor, it gives you more energy.

i didn't vote cuz i'm not muslim. but that doesn't mean i can't stick my nose in here.
i will never believe that qawwali is sinful.

MashaAllah bro, it’s good to hear that at least you are trying. There is nothing more sweeter than struggling for the sake of Allah, The Most Merciful. It may be taste bitter now but eventually it will bring more peace from Him. When I started practicing, music was one of the things I decided to give up. Mainly because most of the scholars rule against it and the music content were completely unIslamic. Most of the stuff I was listening to was about relationship, the opposite gender, life etc. basically listening to this stuff did nothing to increase my Iman instead it did the opposite. I’m trying to get someone in my family to stop listening as well. Instead of completely cutting music off, I introduced them to Islamic Nasheed (without instrument). Also I will make Du’a that Allah, The Most Forgiving, guides us and helps us to struggle in His path. With His help, Inshallah gradually you can make progress.
-SI-

I'm glad to see everyone participating in this discussion and thank you all for voting, but I would like to remind everyone that again... this is not about music. Music was just my example. The argument was about which side to follow in times of contraversy... so InshAllah we can stay on topic

May Allah (SWT) reward you all for your efforts

On the authority of Abu 'Abdullah al-Nu'man bin Bashir, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say:

"Truly, what is lawful is evident, and what is unlawful is evident, and in between the two are matters which are doubtful which many people do not know. He who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and honour blameless, and he who indulges in doubtful things indulges in fact in unlawful things, just as a shepherd who pastures his flock round a preserve will soon pasture them in it. Beware, every king has a preserve, and the things Allah has declared unlawful are His preserves. Beware, in the body there is a flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt, and behold, it is the heart."

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]


P.s:
Abu Hurairah 'Abd al-Rahman bin Sakhr, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, say:

“Avoid that which I forbid you to do and do that which I command you to do to the best of your capacity. Verily the people before you were destroyed only because of their excessive questioning and their disagreement with their Prophets.”


[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Please people stay on-topic, the thread starter mentioned nothing about Music but merely used it as an example. Also look at the thread title, all off-topic posts have been deleted. zAk's post is a good example of a on-topic post, he is answering the question being addressed.

Jazakallaah khayr for you cooperation.

^You're going off-topic, just check out this thread:
http://www.islamicboard.com/comparat...ous-about.html (Things in Islam I am curious about...)

if you doubt somethin, leave it

thats gona keep u on siratul mustaqeem

Assalamualikum wr wb.

Good thread mashAllah.

^ Bro IbnAbdulHakim, as the brother mentioned, music is not actually the topic of the thread but its an example. (Although probably not the best of examples).

Im sure theres many other examples that can fit into the same type of scenario. And I have had to face such situations myself. I think the point is that islam should not be a 'pick and mix' religion, where you settle with the opinions that suit you the most.

I voted for 'Against' as struggling is what builds up our imaan. If not struggling to refrain from sin, then struggling to better ourselves in adopting the sunnah and then voluntary acts of worship. No matter what level of imaan you are at, you will always have to struggle to do better... hence why jihad un nafs has been given such a status.


Also the hadiths that bro zAk has provided pretty much sums up the way in which to deal with these situations. JazakAllah Khair

Assalamualikum wr wb.

agreed (that triangle tripple dot thing that means "therefore") im against!

well i will say that you obey Allah (Aza Wa Galla) and his messenger (pease be upon him) so if you know that something the prophet muhammad (sala allah alyh wa salam) has forbidden us to do so thats it.
because every one can be wrong
but the prophet is the only one who can't be wrong

so take this hadeeth as an example

in the authentic sahih bukhary :

Allah's Apostle said, "Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard (as it is)."

so that is the prophet saying not any one else and so obey Abo alkasem

"The servant will not acquire the status of the Muttaqun until he abandons what harmless for fear of falling into that which is harmful."
Tirmidhi

In the quran Allah says that whoever fears Him, He will make a way out for him from every hardship...Insha Allah