Advice Please-- Is Music Haraam?

[Just_A_Girl13]

Peace be with you brothers and sisters,

I didn't create this board for debating, negative comments or anything of the sort, so I am sorry if anything that has been said has upset you. Thank you for all your help-- I was not aware that this is such a difficult issue and I am very grateful to you all for enlightening me. I will take your words of advice into account when I consider this issue and make a decision for myself. As far as I am able to tell, there is no definite way to make a black-and-white distinction between different types of music, different situations in which music is played, etc.

I have concluded that it would most likely be permissible to play my violin in front of only women and mahram men. I have also decided that I will continue my singing education, but I will devote my music to praising Allah instead of my own pleasure. I will also refrain from singing music with lyrics referencing things that would displease Allah, i.e. things that are haraam. Finally, I have decided to make a sincere effort to learn how to recite the Quran so that I may use my gift to please Allah and guide others towards Him, inshallah.

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Peace be unto you also^ I sincerely apologise if my posts seems like i am causing disruption to the thread..

You are in my prayers.

 

[Uthman]

Research paper on this (perhaps a bit academic, but useful nonetheless for anyone who wishes to gain an understanding of the issue on a more scholarly level.):

http://islamicstudies.islammessage.com/ResearchPaper.aspx?aid=246
http://islamicstudies.islammessage.com/ResearchPaper.aspx?aid=260
http://islamicstudies.islammessage.com/ResearchPaper.aspx?aid=267

 

[Just_A_Girl13]

I sincerely apologise if my posts seems like i am causing disruption to the thread..

Not at all, I was just making a general statement so that none of the other brothers and sisters would be offended by anything that was said.

 

[al yunan]

Salam sister,

Maybe you should take a look at this thread under General The Prohibition of Music(Book) Download!

Masalam

 

[SAKER]

Islam has no problems with music in general ....

Anachids arn ´t Haram

Supplications Ibtihalats as well

Things could be Haram for their negative results exemple sexual ,dirty ,songs.. You know

dirty topics is what make things haram and not music it self ...I mean how use music ..

Sami youssef songs are very good actions make people know Islam rather than many long speech

 

[SAKER]

Another thing a long musical party for example will be Harem if its will prevent you doing obligations ray -for example - will be immediately Haram

 

[al yunan]

Islam has no problems with music in general ....

It would help if you could produce some evidence !

 

[SAKER]

الاصل في الأمورالإباحة 1-1
Things are generally halal that ´s a Fiqh rule
2-
oUR PROPHeTE was walking and heard women singing with doufouf ,he- s.a.-then asked what ´s was it about ,told it ´s a wedding party or celebrities then our prophet said nothing.

 

[SAKER]

We can speak here about innocent legally entertainment

 

[Impey]

Research paper on this (perhaps a bit academic, but useful nonetheless for anyone who wishes to gain an understanding of the issue on a more scholarly level.):

I have read through these three papers, all 10,176 words and they are unlike any academic/technical papers I have ever seen. I have no knowledge of who the people quoted are though I understand Muslims are sensitive about your scholars. Can I be permitted to ask some questions?

What I mean is that I find it almost impossible to understand why anyone would cite an example, as is done here, of a man and your prophet putting their fingers in their ears on hearing a flute and taking that as a proof or even part of a proof that Music is forbidden?

 

[Uthman]

Ask away, brother/sister! I will try and answer insofar as my knowledge allows me to.

With regards to your last question, I'd expect that the fact that they did this action is an indication that listening to the flute is an undesirable act at least, and forbidden at most? This must be understood in conjunction with other evidences too. That isn't the primary proof usually given to indicate that instruments are haraam, but rather the primary reference is usually the famous hadeeth in the Saheeh of Imaam al-Bukhari.

 

[Impey]

Well, God is the creator of you and myself and everyone in this whole wide world, he is the one who taught us everything, so i would say his message is enough, do you not believe that believing in him and his commandments and then obeying them will lead to success?

Thank you for your kind answer. But here I am intrigued to read that the object of Islam is 'success'? I have not seen that before so what does it mean: leading a good life, doing good, making money, becoming a concert pianist .... the idea of success seems so subjective?

Yes, ofcourse one would use it for his service.. For example an individual may be gifted with kindness and so will use it to be kind to be people, another is given money, do you think he should use it all among himself? What about those who are poor and need desperate help? in other words he wouldnt use it for himself, he would use for the sake of mankind, which is for the pleasure of the creator.

I would not think of kindness as a gift - I would have thought it was part or should be part of the character of every believer?

Is there anything that music has benefited one for the sake of his creator? by music i dont mean singing...i dont mean hip hop n r n b and what not:\ i mean does the creator not know what it is better for his creation? or do we know better?

Well off the top of my head Music creates millions of jobs world wide and it general it is a good thing, and I thought one never forbade what is good? I have listened to Music (classical that is) all my life and sometimes its for pure enjoyment, sometimes its is out of need to sooth the spirit. I am not saying ALL music is good but there are lots of studies that shows its human benefits - I recall one that showed that babies in the Womb put on weight when some of Mozart is played (if you are interested I can probably look up the rer). I could not live without it.

 

[جوري]

Thank you for your kind answer. But here I am intrigued to read that the object of Islam is 'success'? I have not seen that before so what does it mean: leading a good life, doing good, making money, becoming a concert pianist .... the idea of success seems so subjective?

success is not subjective in life or the afterlife.. of course on assumes that when it comes to religion we're dealing with the latter:


as the sura suggests .. successful are the believers who fulfill at least the first ten verses:

I would not think of kindness as a gift - I would have thought it was part or should be part of the character of every believer?

character trait that is a gift indeed!

Well off the top of my head Music creates millions of jobs world wide and it general it is a good thing, and I thought one never forbade what is good? I have listened to Music (classical that is) all my life and sometimes its for pure enjoyment, sometimes its is out of need to sooth the spirit. I am not saying ALL music is good but there are lots of studies that shows its human benefits - I recall one that showed that babies in the Womb put on weight when some of Mozart is played (if you are interested I can probably look up the rer). I could not live without it.

Your subjective opinion here is yours to keep..

best,

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Greeting of peace

Thank you for your kind answer. But here I am intrigued to read that the object of Islam is 'success'? I have not seen that before so what does it mean: leading a good life, doing good, making money, becoming a concert pianist .... the idea of success seems so subjective?

No problem. Ofcourse, if you look at any religion/belief out there, you will find there are certain things they should remain away from and some they should do. In Islaam that sucess lies in the pleasure of God. Submitting to him Completely and him only, and so a 'muslim' -one who submits to God, whatever is forbidden is because it is not good for us and whatever is permissable is good for us and not only this life but the hereafter. There may be things one may really like but in reality it is bad for us and what we dont like in reality it is good for us.

It means that whatever path a muslim wishes to take, one takes it with good intentions and is encouraged to gain knowledge, for example a muslim will not follow a career in which alcohol is sold this is because there is no benefit for him in earning money from something that is Haraam itself already and also it is something which is dangerous for others..

I would not think of kindness as a gift - I would have thought it was part or should be part of the character of every believer?

Yes, as believers/muslims we are encouraged to be kind, but what i meant by post is sometimes there are those who have it naturally, it is a gift because there are those who find it difficult to be kind also..

Well off the top of my head Music creates millions of jobs world wide and it general it is a good thing, and I thought one never forbade what is good? I have listened to Music (classical that is) all my life and sometimes its for pure enjoyment, sometimes its is out of need to sooth the spirit. I am not saying ALL music is good but there are lots of studies that shows its human benefits - I recall one that showed that babies in the Womb put on weight when some of Mozart is played (if you are interested I can probably look up the rer). I could not live without it.

You can post the references if you like.

However, the Qur'aan is considered the word of God for the muslims, one is adviced when reciting verses/chapters from the book to recite in the best way they are able to and there is reward for those who try even knowing their voice may not be perfect. And so one forms closeness with God, though music may sound great, realistically there is no reward, and no i am not implying one should recite the Qur'aan only to gain reward from their creator, whether that is the case or not only Allaah is aware of all intentions, it is vital that this act brings us close to God. Also the Qur'aan is known for soothing hearts. The fact is one cannot love music and Qur'aan at the same time, and one must also do that which doesnt take him away from the remembrance of the creator..

Also there are many things that we may like that seem good for us yet they are not, an example is playing games, too much of it makes us lazy and in the case of a muslim may take one away from the remembrance of his lord i.e. becoming lazy in their prayer. too much listening to music, will make us fall in love with the music and take the beauty and love away from listening or even reading the Qur'aan..

I hope i havent confused you and that i have made sense..

.. peace ..

 

[Tyrion]

I don't want to get into any sort of argument, but there are a few things I really want to point out here...

Also the Qur'aan is known for soothing hearts. The fact is one cannot love music and Qur'aan at the same time, and one must also do that which doesnt take him away from the remembrance of the creator..

Uhmm... A fact? This just isn't true. I can attest to that. Music and the Quran are in completely different spheres, and they aren't exactly comparable. i think theres a problem when people lump the Quran and music together, claiming you can't have one without the other... Also, there is such a thing as music that can soothe you and help you appreciate/remember God...

Also there are many things that we may like that seem good for us yet they are not, an example is playing games, too much of it makes us lazy and in the case of a muslim may take one away from the remembrance of his lord i.e. becoming lazy in their prayer. too much listening to music, will make us fall in love with the music and take the beauty and love away from listening or even reading the Qur'aan..

No disagreements there, but the key words in your statement here were "too much". I don't think anyone would disagree that too much of anything is bad, but that isn't enough to make something wrong.

 

[جوري]

Uhmm... A fact?

The saying goes the heart of the believer can't combine between love of the Quran and love of Music..
I used to play the piano for years and years, and listened to classical.. When I decided to memorize the Quran, and would have recitations all the time so I can engrave it in my memory I have found that everything else seemed like noise. Slowly I lost interest in music and discovered a new love.. I suspect that is where that comes from, not being able to combine two loves..
the only way to confirm it is to try it..

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Assalaamu Alaaykum

Uhmm... A fact? This just isn't true. I can attest to that. Music and the Quran are in completely different spheres, and they aren't exactly comparable. i think theres a problem when people lump the Quran and music together, claiming you can't have one without the other... Also, there is such a thing as music that can soothe you and help you appreciate/remember God...

Yes, a fact. Firstly i am speaking from experience and also many have comfirmed this. Yes true you cannot compare music with Qur'aan. my question to you is have you yourself tried this?

As far as i am aware when the love of the Qur'aan is there, one will not want to listen to music unless out of necessity, like at supermarket, educational documentaries etc etc.

 

[Tyrion]

Yes, a fact. Firstly i am speaking from experience and also many have comfirmed this. Yes true you cannot compare music with Qur'aan. my question to you is have you yourself tried this?

I can speak from experience and tell you that you can love the Quran, and also enjoy some music on the side... Why is that so hard to imagine? And what exactly are you asking that I've tried? Listening to the Quran and music?

As far as i am aware when the love of the Qur'aan is there, one will not want to listen to music unless out of necessity, like at supermarket, educational documentaries etc etc.

Just because it may be true for you does not make it true for everybody. There are tons of people out there who have memorized the Quran, some of them even going far into Islamic studies, who see no problem with listening to music. An appreciation for music has nothing to do with a love of the Quran. Perhaps for you it does, but I don't think that's true for a lot of people.

The saying goes the heart of the believer can't combine between love of the Quran and love of Music..
I used to play the piano for years and years, and listened to classical.. When I decided to memorize the Quran, and would have recitations all the time so I can engrave it in my memory I have found that everything else seemed like noise. Slowly I lost interest in music and discovered a new love.. I suspect that is where that comes from, not being able to combine two loves..
the only way to confirm it is to try it..

I'm confused then... Are people like Imam Suhaib Webb not true believers? Or are they classified as people who don't love the Quran because they may enjoy some music here and there? The idea just seems very odd (and not applicable to many)... Do you honestly think one has to pick between Quran and music? Or maybe you just mean becoming obsessed with music... If that's what you mean, then I agree... Like I said, too much of anything is bad. But that doesn't mean the thing in itself is bad. I hope that made sense...

 

[Asiyah3]

I can speak from experience and tell you that you can love the Quran, and also enjoy some music on the side... Why is that so hard to imagine? And what exactly are you asking that I've tried? Listening to the Quran and music?



Just because it may be true for you does not make it true for everybody. There are tons of people out there who have memorized the Quran, some of them even going far into Islamic studies, who see no problem with listening to music. An appreciation for music has nothing to do with a love of the Quran. Perhaps for you it does, but I don't think that's true for a lot of people.




I'm confused then... Are people like Imam Suhaib Webb not true believers? Or are they classified as people who don't love the Quran because they may enjoy some music here and there? The idea just seems very odd (and not applicable to many)... Do you honestly think one has to pick between Quran and music? Or maybe you just mean becoming obsessed with music... If that's what you mean, then I agree... Like I said, too much of anything is bad. But that doesn't mean the thing in itself is bad. I hope that made sense...

As long as the music doesn't contain haraam things.