Islamic marriage advice and family advice

I perform all my obligatory Islamic duties, Can I listen to Music?

Music to Deen

Music and Worship of Allah

Assalam o alaikum,

I am just confused regarding this thing in my mind.

Alhumdulillah I am very very regular with my salaahs. I avoid vulgarity. I do zikr as well. I recite all the duas and supplications with all my heart by understanding them. I read Quran with translation as well. So I am quite satisfied with my Islamic practices.

But I like music as well. Not the vulgar sort but the songs which would motivate one towards life or love (like demi lovato's skyscraper as an example) I at any cost avoid songs that include sexualilty (e.g 50 cents and other eww-ness) of any sort. Even when I watch movies I avoid sexual scenes. These are my hobbies as entertainment.. If I avoid vulgarity, can I enjoy them?

I know its gonna take a life time for this question to be answered :(. But I need an answer please.

Is it okay?

I love this site because all the advice are coming from real people and are their original thoughts! 🙂

~ MeshJ


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15 Responses »

  1. Assalamu'alaikum sister,

    If you ask me, without any influence from the external factors, any manipulation of the Nafs, and the position of the Salaf as Saliheen and the Ulama among the Khalaf who follow the Sunnah of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, you should give up music, because musical instruments are Haraam - in general.

    Concerning the proof that Music is Haraam, check this post that was previously answered by us: http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/upsetting-family/

    Now, what about your love for music? Read this Aayah from the Quran (Surah aal Imran, Aayah 92):

    By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc., it means here Allah's Reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well.

    So, give it up so that you may taste the delight of faith.

    People will talk about logical reasons and the fact that music helps concentrate, etc. but nothing precedes Allah and His Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Am I not right? We should understand that if anything has been termed Haraam, it is for our good. Whether we understand it or not, we should hear and obey.

    You must listen to former Rap Artist: Loon, whose image is above. You should listen to his experience and what music means to him:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yoi0mU4hTB4

    Music is Haraam in general and it can not become Halaal. Allah's Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:

    "There will be [at some future time] people from my Ummah who will seek to make lawful fornication, the wearing of silk, wine drinking and the use of musical instruments [ma'aazif]. Some people will stay at the side of the mountain and when their shepherd comes in the evening to ask them for his needs, they will say : 'Return to us tomorrow'. Then Allaah will destroy them during the night by causing the mountain to fall upon them, while He changes others into apes and swine. They will remain in such a state unitl the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih al Bukhari)

    Another Hadith in ibn Majah says:

    "A people of my Ummah will drink wine, calling it by other than its real name. Merriment will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and the singing of female singers. Allaah will cleave the earth under them and turn others into apes and swine."

    This is how the Salaf as Saliheen understood this and from this, the Ahlus Sunnah hold that music is Haraam. People who do not wish to give up music bend the meanings of these ahadeeth and interpret them as per their needs, which is something they have to answer Allah for.

    Apart from music, the songs that promote "love" mostly contain poetry that is Haraam. Allah Says in Surah ash Shu'araa', Aayah 224-227:

    As for the poets, the erring follow them. See you not that they speak about every subject (praising others right or wrong) in their poetry? And that they say what they do not do. Except those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, and remember Allah much, and reply back (in poetry) to the unjust poetry (which the pagan poets utter against the Muslims). And those who do wrong will come to know by what overturning they will be overturned.

    There are alternatives that can help you give up music, which include listening to the Quran and sometimes listening to Nasheed. It helped me a lot several years ago, when I gave up listening to music and I am sure it will help you, in sha Allah.

    Jazakillahu Khair

    Muhammad Waseem
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  2. Salaams,

    Perhaps you are not asking whether or not music is haraam or halal. Most of us know the answer to that. I think the deeper question you are asking is, what are the consequences of listening to music? Even if it's not "bad" music? In every day life, we've heard music or songs we've liked or wanted to hear again, and the skies didn't fall down after it. We didn't go off and fornicate from it. I think most of us want to understand how something can be forbidden "no matter what and all the time" if it seems so innocent.

    Let's really think about what Islam is. Everything we do in Islam -everything- is to bring our nafs into submission so that we can perfect our ibadah and love to Allah. Ideally, we would spend every moment bringing all of our thoughts, emotions and actions into obedience so that we can excel on our spiritual paths.

    Music, no matter what perceived benefits it comes with, simply doesn't promote that effort. With perhaps the exception of nasheeds, all other music (no matter how clean) is made to please and comfort the nafs. A nafs which is being placated is not a nafs that is being disciplined into tameness.

    So yes, the goal we are all striving for is to rid ourselves of the dunya enchantments that sabotage our return to fitra. I can even say that when I have been most spiritually in-tune, my natural desire to listen to any kind of music virtually disappears. Speaking honestly, I only want to listen to it when I'm having an emotional time and I need to have a cathartic release. But again, that's the nafsy way to do it. While it may temporarily bring my emotional state back in balance, it doesn't raise me above the nafsani level I might be on.

    And in real life, that's exactly what you and I and everyone else is dealing with. We have our goals and the path marked for us, but in our weakness, neediness, and pain (even pleasure!) we take detours. We indulge in something that retards our growth. We take some time to satisfy ourselves, and not our Lord. This merry-go-round is something none of us are exempt from, but it doesn't mean we should give up and let that compelling force inside us gain any advantages.

    In the end, Allah may have mercy on us all, in shaa Allah. None of us know which of those weaknesses are going to tip the balance too much- whether it comes in the form of music, food, fantasies...the list goes on. In the end we must do our best to try to make as few excuses as possible, and avoid comfort zones. I can assure you that even then, we will still have many stumbling blocks and challenges we will fail at.

    -Amy
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  3. LOok..music with unethical n bad lyrics is haraam anywayzz but Imam Suhaibwebb said that according to traditional scholars, majority of them say that all forms of music is haraam n minority of them say that its not haraam all together..

    AND accrdng to the contemporary scholars majority of them say that music is not all together haraam n minority says the opposite.
    Music is one of the things that people will differ on till the day of judgemnt.Its not like that u go to one scholar or another and get the final ruling..

    bro before reading this article .I too thot tht music was all together haraam but its an article worth reading.Link follows :
    http://www.suhaibwebb.com/society/entertainment/islam-and-hip-hop-by-brother-ahmad-james/

    jazak Allah

  4. Asalamu alikum,

    I cant give you an academic answer full of proofs and why music is bad- but i will give you some honesty.

    I like music too, I grew up with non religious parents who were not muslim and was surrounded by music all my life. So i know where you are coming from.

    Its a hard habit to quite.

    1) The first thing is you have to do your research and find out why music is bad, and in your heart truly truly truly believe it. Dont just take what people throw at you and proofs they give you, actually research this topic and come to a conclusion that makes sense to you and your soul. Because unless you believe its truly bad, then you wont quite.

    2) You can try to phase out the regular music with anasheed, i know that i need background music sometimes and i dont like silence. So yes, go online and find english, urdu, arabic whatever anasheed make you happy. Anasheed are basically songs that praise Allah instead of talking about random rubish topics, and have a decent beat. Some will have music, and some dont. Just listen to the ones with music during your phasing out and slowly cut them off later.

    3) Then once you get used to the ones with no music- bam you are done.

    Now for some resources of anasheed- I am not that great at finding things- but these are from my limited experience....

    http://muslimhiphop.com/

    http://www.assabile.com/anasheed/UAE/ahmed-bukhatir/ahmed-bukhatir-2.htm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g57bvG59ZtI

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLTqSXsLbhY

    So thats its for me, its hard. Music is like crack. Its still hard for me, and will continue to be. I am constantly going through phases, as I am sure you will be. But hang in there, the point is you are questioning your practice and you are working on yourself. The most important thing is to understand music and do your research and form your opinion, because no matter how many people tell you its bad- unless you believe it - then nothing will happen.

    All the best on your journey, hope something helps.

  5. I'm not a scholar so can't give an academic opinion on music, but my personal feelings are that so long as the music or film or TV programme is serving a purpose and is not discussing unacceptable topics, then I don't have a problem listening to or watching it. For example, as well as listening to nasheeds, I also listen to music that inspires me to feel closer to Allah and to consider the state of this world and how I can help, but I would not willingly listen to music that has a negative or obscene message. I enjoy films and theatre that encourage me to think about faith and the world (from political films right through to comedies) but avoid films that do not have such a message or have explicit scenes in them. These are occasional enjoyments, though, rather than daily.

    That's just my personal feelings at this time, though; there are lots of debates about this issue and strong opinions on both sides. My advice would be to study the debates, consider your motivations for listening to music or watching a film, and come to your own conclusion about what feels right for you.

    My experiences of the creative arts are probably different from most people's, however, as I compose (probably not very good) nasheeds and anasheeds (I don't sing them myself, though), and have found through my youth work that music and drama can be utilised to reach out to young people who might otherwise not be interested in Islam or in working to change their lives.

    InshaAllah we will all eventually be guided to the straight path.

  6. Salaams,

    Great advice above. You have to beware of music. I'm sure most of us have fallen prey to music but the effects are very dangerous.

    Today's music is completely evil. There's long been talks of subliminal messages in music and the ill effects on the subconscious. I can't recall the singer but one woman referred to today's sounds as rape music and you have little kids reciting explicit lyrics.

    Someone told me if you listen to the Qur'an you don't listen to music but if you listen to music you don't listen to the Qur'an.

    Christians believe that before the shaytaan was outcasted, he was responsible for music and George Bernard Shaw said that ' Music is the brandy of the damned'.

  7. salam
    I wanted to ask a question to all of you and I request you to please reply me.
    if a husband can use music I mean romantic music to romance with her wife. as Bollywood romantic songs. can he use them during foreplay with his wife.and if he can manage Valentine day as to surprise his wife and can he sing song just to romance with his wife. but I am recalling again just for his wife. such song for example
    sajda kiya han lakhon, lakhon duain mangi
    paya ha ma na phir tugha.
    please reply as soon as possible.

    • Singing to your wife is fine. As far as music, we have already given answers to this question, so please read the comments already given on this post.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  8. thanks you replied.

    but wael why it is wrong if I am using that song or music by keeping my wife in my mind.and if she also feel good and more love and romance by this.and in other word it increases feeling of love.please guide me that why it is wrong when you are using that music only for your wife and not for any other women.

    and I have heard that a mufti of saudia gave fatwah that it is no sin to listen music. but I don't know his name and even did not know that for what kind of music he gave the fatwah.

    please guide me.....................

    • I did not make the ruling, brother. Most of the Muslim scholars have said it is haram, with a few minor exceptions according to the Sunnah. As for the reasons, we can use common sense. Music distracts one from the Quran, which is the true music of the Muslim, and from dhikr and ibadah in general. The lyrics are often about inappropriate or haram things. It is often accompanied by dancing, drinking, etc. If you look at the avenues of sin that corrupt young people, what do you see? Music, drinking, drugs and sex. These things always go together. I realize this is not true for you. But Allah does not legislate for people on a case-by-case basis. That would be impossible. Allah legislates for all of humanity.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  9. thanks a lot brother..

  10. Wa alaykumusalam.
    Though you like music and we have built our own inages of entertainment (always effected by the current), the music will stil be haram and Should be consisered unlawful. Not even at the slightest should it be thought/felt "im not foing unlawful" .

    It should be afmitted to Allah that "Ya Allah i am weak" and therafter know that yes,...through this (the turning to Him) it can actually try and build the my strongest relationship ever experienced with Allah.

    Best way to leave a sin is to Find/Replace/Satify the nafs with Alternatives.

    hope answered the question.
    Wasalaam.
    Brotherhood.

  11. As Salamualaikum
    Clear it To m please?
    What If we here to Inspirational Music related to sports etc.like

    "Perfect storm"
    this song is inspirational here are the lyrics:

    as the rain comes down
    from a darken sky
    remember me
    as a lightning strike / as the lightning striked
    you can make it through
    if it just stay strong
    brace yourself
    for the perfect storm

    this song is just talking to you to stay strong and do not give up you will succeed.
    So these type of music is also HARAM?

    Please answer and forgave me for any unpleasant saying.
    thanks

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