Hello Callum,
czgibson said:
But I thought we agreed that there is much more material that is benign than there is harmful? Didn't we?
I don't recall that being mentioned. I was under the impression that the benign is a minority. But even if that's not the case, I must say that the harmful is certainly more visible and obvious in western culture, and the benign forms seem hidden to me. For instance, go to Apple iTunes -Music website, and what are the first things you see? Go to yahoo's music site and what are your immediate observations? What do you see when you walk into a music store? I have a problem with telling Muslims that there's no harm in going there and listening to music. The negative impact that will have on them is inevitable. And even if they initially go to just listen to some benign music, they'll gradually be lead deeper into the harmful areas.
I take your point that we're not talking about a serious restriction here. But just because some Western music is awful, why would you advise people to stay away from all Western music?
Simply because of the risks involved. I would advise people not to wander the streets of cities at nightime, not because everyone out at night is dangerous, but because there are dangers involved. And with music, you're bound to come in contact with them. Also, there is the issue of where to draw the line between what's acceptable and what isn't. You imply that this should be left up to the person, but if someone does that, they'll gradually fall prey to the whispers of their desires and Satan and will slowly move into the harmful areas. That's why I would simply advise that they avoid it all together. Nevertheless, if someone was really intent on listening to some benign form of music and that's all they really wanted, I'm not going to make a tremendous fuss over it.
Plus, music can move the mind in ways nothing else can.
The implication here is that western music can inspire in ways that Muslim music or nasheeds can't, and that get's back to the idea of being ethnocentric.
Plus, I could point out that prayer moves the mind in ways that nothing else can, and that has become a lost feature of western culture. That's why we find so many westerners examining eastern religions in search of reviving their spiritual being.
Additionally, with idea of being ethnocentric, I wanted to point out that this extends to all parts of western culture, not just music. There's an expectation that people must conform to western culture, and that its generally superior. I'll give you an example - Western celebrations. Muslims often find themselves in conversations like this:
"What did you get for Christmas?"
"err...I don't celebrate christmas."
"You don't celebrate Christmas?! Why not??"
"err...because I'm not a Christian"
"Bah! That's ridiculous - you don't have to be Christian to celebrate Christmas!"
This is probably something a lot of Musims living in the west can relate to.
The Muslim would wonder, Why is there this expectation that I have to celebrate Christmas? I'm not asking everyone why they're not fasting in Ramadan!
OK, I see what you mean about being ethnocentric, but I think you've misunderstood me. I don't think Muslim culture is lacking because Muslims generally don't listen to Western music, I just think that any culture that tends not to look to other cultures will stagnate in insularity. I would suspect that the amount of different music available in the West (including music not even made in the West) would dwarf the amount available in a Muslim country.
Well of course they're 'available', just as many cultures are available to westerners, because they're are secular, they can't do what they want without concern for any guidelines. There's really no reason for a westerner to avoid anything. But I see a conflict between becoming a better Muslim and assimilating into western culture. And the Muslims are not isolating themselves from other cultures - indeed, amongst the Muslim community you will find a broad range of different cultural influences, encompassing African, Arab, Indian, Oriental and many more cultures. We are open to different cultures. Its just that with regard to music, there are certain guidelines for Muslims to follow to ensure their spiritual well-being.
It's like advising people to stay away from most fast-food restaurants (a predominant feature of western culture) as they can be harmful to one's health, one's physical well-being.
It's connected with the idea of imitating the kuffar being considered wrong, a view I've seen expressed here.
While that is one point that may be involved, the guidelines for music stem from a totally different angle. I would say that the vast majority of music would be harmful for one's spiritual well-being. And in saying that, I don't think I'm closing off any benefit that couldn't be recieved through better means, and I don't think we're lacking in any way because we have Qiraa'at, Salaah (prayer) and Nasheeds.
Now, I have a question for you. What is one word that best represents the predominant theme in western music? What is the main idea in most songs you will find when you walk into that music stroe, or go to that music site?
Having said all that, it's difficult to avoid sounding ethnocentric in discussions like this, because we're both constantly judging each other's culture by the standards of our own.
True.
Great to be debating with you again Ansar!
Its always a pleasure for me to share my views with others and learn about their perspective.
Peace!
mg: