Greetings,
As czgibson mentioned, there are loads of threads about music on the forum and there is plenty of information in them. The bottom line is that music is forbidden in Islam.
format_quote Originally Posted by
robynxo
I would like to know people's individual opinions on the value of music, and what they think of the opinions of religious extremists on music, such as it being immoral.
Why is the opinion that music is immoral considered extreme?
In Islam, we have the greatest replacement for music and that is the Qur'an. Unlike other books, it has a unique aspect of sound as explained below. The values and effects the Qur'an has on the human heart is greater than anything else that can be produced because it is the very Words of God revealed for the guidance of mankind, and in it is a healing and mercy for those who believe.
Sound
The Qur’an enhances its expression by the use of sounds by employing various phonetic features that have an aesthetic and communicative effect. These features include the lengthening and modification of sounds so that words and letters become similar to an adjacent or nearby sound, and nasalization (ikhfaa’). This unique feature can be found throughout the whole of the Qur’anic discourse.
The Qur’an is abundant with these phonetic devices which construct an emotive and powerful image. This is done by the selection of the most apt word to portray the intended meaning while producing semantically orientated sounds. The way the Qur’an uses the words make it a harmonious tune as Sells states,
"…there is a quality to the sound of the Qur’an which anyone familiar with it in Arabic can recognize. Qur’anic commentators have discussed the power and beauty of this sound… is one of the key aspects of the science of analysing ijaz al-Qur’an (the inimitability of the Qur’an)."
The Qur’anic choice of words coupled with the power of sound conveys meanings in a unique way, whereby the Qur’an produces images and describes events as though they were happening in front of the reader.
...
Sounds in the Qur’an are employed to increase the effect of its message. The Arabic language has many words for a single meaning, but yet the Qur’an selects and arranges the words to portray the intended meaning in addition to create sounds to conform to the image, scene and message the book conveys. This is not only done by selecting the right words but also arranging them in a specific way to develop sounds and rhythms. Just by touching upon a few simple examples it can be seen why Pickthall was lead to believe that the Qur’an had an "inimitable symphony". Arberry on his personal experience with the rhythm of the Qur’an:,
"Whenever I hear the Quran chanted, it is as though I am listening to Music, underneath the flowing melody there is sounding… insistent beat of a drum, it is like the beating of my heart."
All the best with your presentation!