I was watching few live videos of Harris J. Yep, young hijabi girls screaming for that young lad, sitting near of boys. Just like in any other western style concert. What a great opportunity for free mixing and fitnah. Pop-style songs but with Islamic message.
That made me think how difficult it must to be a young Muslim or Muslimah, who has learnt to admire everything western and who passionately wants to be like every other teenagers in their society like clubbing, dating, going to pop concerts etc. Audience of that singer might not be very excited if we (or any other) will say "why not you listen the recitation of the Quran instead of those pop style songs if message is same?".
:hmm:
Yes this is my point. The audience won't sit and listen to Quran in the same way (some might), so it needs to be presented through things they can be reached through. Inshallah they will then start learning more on their own.
That's why I decided to review nasheeds, and not start a blog about Quranic analysis - it wouldn't reach the same audience.
I have responded to your comment about Hadiths allowing instruments on occasion. I think the moderators need to approve it as i'm new to the forum?
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It would to be interesting if you could show that hadith you mentioned (where the prophet allows music).
Certainly. I'm not going to give a clear cut answer as that is the work of scholars, but i'll present the various views with reference to Quran and Hadith.
Arguments For
Narated By 'Aisha : That once Abu Bakr came to her on the day of 'Id-ul-Fitr or 'Id ul Adha while the Prophet was with her and there were two girl singers with her, singing songs of the Ansar about the day of Buath. Abu Bakr said twice. "Musical instrument of Satan!" But the Prophet said, "Leave them Abu Bakr, for every nation has an 'Id (i.e. festival) and this day is our 'Id."
(Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Number 268)
'A'isha reported: Abu Bakr came to see me and I had two girls with me from among the girls of the Ansar and they were singing what the Ansar recited to one another at the Battle of Bu'ath. They were not, however, singing girls. Upon this Abu Bakr said: What I (the playing of) this wind instrument of Satan in the house of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and this too on 'Id day? Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Abu Bakr, every people have a festival and it is our festival (so let them play on).
(Muslim, Book 004, Number 1938)
It was narrated that al-Rubayyi’ bint Mu’awwidh ibn ‘Afra’ said: “After the consummation of my marriage, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came and sat on my bed as far from me as you are sitting now, and our little girls started beating the daff and reciting verses mourning my father, who had been killed in the battle of Badr. One of them said, ‘Among us is a Prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow.’ On that the Prophet said, ‘Omit this (saying) and keep on saying the verses which you had been saying before.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4852).
Here we see the prophet allowed music and singing on occasions. There is a similar hadith about people singing and playing drums to welcome the Prophet on return.
Arguments Against
There is a Hadith that suggests music is forbidden all-together:
Narrated Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari:
that he heard the Prophet saying, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful...
(Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v)
As it's placed with other things that are major sins, there is a suggestion that it is Haram too.
A Neutral Quran
There is no verse in the Quran which states that music is haram, there is also no verse that says it is halal.
The closest verse we have is the following from Surah Luqman:
(In an attempt to show that God's revelations are only ancient legends) some people pay for meaningless tales to draw others attention away from the Quran without knowledge and treat as a matter of fun. They will suffer a humiliating torment.
This was revealed at a time when people were purchasing singing slave girls, who would often sing about the past wars. The verse suggests that listening to meaningless tales (or songs) is not allowed, as this takes people away from Islam and the Quran. This verse can be used to show that most mainstream music is not allowed, as they sing about meaningless things that will distract people from Islam. They often also encourage haram things which is even worse!
While the verse gives strong evidence to discourage mainstream music, it does not say anything about instruments or Islamic music / Nasheeds.
Conclusion
· Some people view the above evidence and decide it's best to play it safe due to the Hadith against instruments.
They conclude instruments are Haram
· Some people view the above and observe that the prophet allowed music on occasions, so it cannot be bad.
They conclude instruments are Halal, or Halal on joyful occasions only
· Others look at the above and note that the duff (drum) was usually the instrument used, they assume that this must mean
the duff is allowed, but other instruments Haram
· Most of the groups above will agree (based on Quran) that
listening to unislamic Music is certainly Haram.
The reality is that this is one of those debated areas in Islam where everyone has different opinions. We can certainly put opinions across, but should respect all views. If we don't the danger is that we end up dividing the religion, and there is a clear verse in the Quran against dividing the religion. Therefore I review all Islamic songs on Islamic Music Hub.
