I have a special talent, but is it haraam?
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.
Brothers and sisters in faith,
Thank you for reading question. I'll start by saying I am a recent convert to this beautiful religion, and so far I really feel like I have found the true religion of God. But I have a question that I was not able to resolve through the Holy Qur'an, or through prayer, or any other vehicle, and so I want to ask the members of this web site if they can help me, inshallah. Here goes.
Before I converted to Islam, I was involved in the business of performing and producing rap/hip-hop music. I am a very talented rapper and music producer, and I had been on the verge of signing a record deal. Many people liked my music. Rarely did I rap about things that are haraam in the first place. I normally just made poetry to explain and deal with the struggles of life. But many people have said that the essence of rap music is against Islamic principles, and against Allah's teachings. I have found nothing definitive on this in the Qur'an. So maybe some one who understands the Qur'an more deeply than myself can help me, inshallah. My basic question is this: Would Allah bless me with a talent and then expect me not to use it?
Also, if the answer is yes, then why? Ultimately my loyalty is with God. I just want to know, so I can live life in accordance with His will.
Jay
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dear brother
I agree with you. Like you, I didnt find anything against music in quran. But if your lyrics is against the principles of islam ( like double meaning, obscenities, Etc) ofcourse it is haram. Otherwise its only an entertainment. Cat steve ( yousuful islam) is a good example for you.
Brother Mann Assalamu alaykum,
Yousouf Islam is also answerable to Allah. What answer will he give to Allah if He would ask : Being a Muslim, what was yout duty? To make songs, so that people would listen to them for hours?
Why did you not explain my revelations to them? Why you did you add to their ignorance of the Qur'an?
Brother, I would like to ask all "entertainment" seekers, has Allah sent us in dunyaa for entertainment?
56. I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.
57. I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed Me.
58. Lo! Allah! He it is that giveth livelihood, the Lord of unbreakable might.
59. And lo! for those who (now) do wrong there is an evil day like unto the evil day (which came for) their likes (of old); so let them not ask Me to hasten on (that day).
60. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from (that) their day which they are promised. - Surah Zaariyaat.
It is for disbelievers, this short life will pass away and there would be no time left to act as good Muslims. We have to hasten on to remember Allah and worship Him. Read the last two verses of Surah 53, An Najm.
Open up your eyes to the Qur'an brother, in ignorance you may " this is not in the Qur'an", but read it carefully, what you felt was not there, is there infact in the Qur'an.
Salaam,
Your brother.
Assalamu alaykum Jay,
Welcome to the religion of Islam and may Allah keep you guided. All praise be to Him.
Jay, it is really nice to know your keen interest in knowing the "will" of Allah and living by it.
If you read the Qur'an with a deep insight, Insha Allah, you will begin to "hate" poetry and you will by yourself not go near to music.
If Allah had made music haraam, we would not be able to place door bells at our home, horns in the car, or alarms in the clock and similar things which produce tones because even that would fall in to the category of music. But we should rather understand that whatsoever is sufficient and necessary we should only do that much.
For us to follow as an example is the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (salalaahu alayhi wasallam/ peace be upon him).
Let us see what Allah says in Surah Al Anbiyaa
1. Their reckoning draweth nigh for mankind, while they turn away in heedlessness.
2. Never cometh there unto them a new reminder from their Lord but they listen to it while they play.
3. With hearts preoccupied. And they confer in secret. The wrong doers say: Is this other than a mortal like you? Will ye then succumb to magic when ye see (it)?
4. He saith: My Lord knoweth what is spoken in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
5. Nay, say they, (these are but) muddled dreams; nay, he hath but invented it; nay, he is but a poet. Let him bring us a portent even as those of old (who were God's messengers) were sent (with portents).
Now think for yourself, would it befit Allah's Messenger or those with him to sing songs, songs which are nothing but poetry?
Poetry is a major step forward on going astray.
224. As for poets, the erring follow them.
225. Hast thou not seen how they stray in every valley,
226. And how they say that which they do not?
227. Save those who believe and do good works, and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged. Those who do wrong will come to know by what a (great) reverse they will be overturned! - Surah 26 Ash Shu'aara
See what Allah says, only those who "err" follow the poets, and Allah describes the poets here, in the best words and He decribes "all poets" when he says "poets" and not "good poets" or "bad poets", He says as for the "poets" and He says - they say that which they do not, meaning, they just put down vain ideas and desires in to words and say things which they themselves do not do, which is not only hypocrisy but also a contradiction of their own ideas.
Would it befit him to stand with a guitar or drums in desert of Arabia? Play them and make other dance on them? I seek refuge in Allah brother, this is not the way of the Prophet nor of Sahabas and nor should it be a way for us Muslims.
69. And we have not taught him (Muhammad) poetry, nor is it meet for him. This is naught else than a Reminder and a Lecture making plain,
70. To warn whosoever liveth, and that the word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers. - Surah 36 Yaa Siin
All the tools of entertaining the senses are for pleasures of the disbelievers. Let them enjoy the life of the world with it's full enjoyment, ours is the aakhirah, Insha Allah, we will get what we want in Jannah, the most peaceful and secure place.
34. Lo! thus deal We with the guilty.
35. For when it was said unto them, There is no god save Allah, they were scornful
36. And said: Shall we forsake our gods for a mad poet?37. Nay, but he brought the Truth, and he confirmed those sent (before him). Surah 37, As Saffaat
More so, to enter this paradise, one of the qualities of the people who attain this success is that "they shun vain conversations".
1. Successful indeed are the believers
2. Who are humble in their prayers,
3. And who shun vain conversation,
4. And who are payers of the poor due;
5. And who guard their modesty
6. Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy,
7. But whoso craveth beyond that, such are transgressors,
8. And who are shepherds of thee pledge and their covenant,
9. And who pay heed to their prayers.
10. These are the heirs
11. Who will inherit Paradise: There they will abide.
There is no good poetry or bad poetry, or poetry with wisdom or poetry with ignorance. No. All is a part of going astray. All ideas in it are on a level of "human thinking" which immediately begin to clash with the "revelation" or Divine Words of Allah.
41. It is not poet's speech little is it that ye believe!
42. Nor diviner's speech little is it that ye remember!
43. It is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. - Surah 69 Al Haaqqaa
We should not only abstain from poetry but hate it, as it leads many astray and it was one of the accusations of the Mushriks against the Prophet of Allah Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he was a poet.
29. Therefor warn (men, O Muhammad). By the grace of Allah thou art neither soothsayer nor madman.
30. Or say they: (he is) a poet, (one) for whom we may expect the accident of time? - Surah 52, At Tuur.
I hope you understand the underlying message of the Qur'an.
You may feel like " this is not in the Qur'an", but Insha Allah, when you read the Qur'an, you will find answers to all questions to all spheres of life in an underlying message in the verses of the Qur'an.
55. Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute?
56. This is a warner of the warners of old.
57. The threatened Hour is near.
58. None beside Allah can disclose it.
59. Marvel ye then at this statement,
60. And laugh and not weep,
61. While ye amuse yourselves?
62. Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and worship Him. - Surah Najm.
Jay, if Allah has given you a talent, use it for the good. Use your memory and your voice to learn the verses of the Qur'an than to use for rap and hip hop.
Would you and the people not get rewards for listening and understanding the Qur'an? Surely, Insha Allah and would it be not such a big waste if people hear your songs and ignore themselves and that time to the remembrance of Allah?
What do people who listen to songs get? Nothing, they waste their time, they think they feel good listening to music and so they get used to it more and many can't sleep without music.
I was one of those as well. I used to pray, read the Qur'an and yet I used to listen to music. But Alhamdulillaah, last year, when I "grasped" the meanings of the verses and how much dislike is there in Islam for poetry, I Alhamdulillaah stopped from music and other entertainments related to music and tv, Alhamdulillaah.
There are choices, you have a life where you can be in full submission to Allah and Islam does not have a room for half submission to Allah and half submission to desires as there is also a life where you say " I am answerable to God", who are you to tell me, etc and you keep on doing as you desire, which then I doubt can be called Islam. It is not just about music, but in all matters of our life. There is no compulsion, it is up to you what you choose and Allah is not unaware of what His slaves do.
I hope Insha Allah, your keenness to please Allah and live on His will, will make you leave this interest.
Hope this helps. May Allah keep you ever keen on learning about Islam and guide you to His way, Insha Allah.
Salaam,
Your brother.
As salamu alaykum,
Brother Jay, I don´t know the answer to your question, but I can share with you my experience, I began two years ago to write poetry and my strongest supporter was a muslim friend, last year when I began to read the Quran, I was astonished, I understood through my readings(translation of the Quran) that I was doing bad in Allah(swt)´s eyes, I went to my friend and crying I said to her, why are you allowing and supporting me to do this, when it is bad in God´s eyes?, She is arabic, and she said to me the meaning of poetry in the Quran is not the same meaning you are giving to the word. I was surprised again. She said, with your words you can guide people to get closer to Allah(swt) or to move further from Him(swt). Just other way of looking at it.
Everyday I understand better her words, she said to me too, certain instruments are not permited, those that makes sounds as a bunch of keys touching one with the others, but I cannot talk properly about this issue.
I don´t like extremmes and I would like youth to listen as a middle step, Yusuf Islam than songs that talk about obscenities or love disasters .
We have the conditions to build up an ideal society, but we are not yet an ideal society and we have to be patience and tolerant with the people that finds it very hard to leave music. Nobody pressured us to follow the straight Path, we are here by our own will and we want to do it our best, then my answer to your question is talk to someone that is well prepared in Islamic Principles and then move at your own speed to do what you consider the best, insha´Allah.
You are conscious of your blessings and I am sure Allah(swt) will guide you to know how to share it with the world in the most appropiate way, insha´Allah.
All my Unconditional Respect,
María
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Assalamu alaykum Sister Maria M,
To build up and ideal society, we need to be firm on our ideals first and that too based on the principles of Islam.
Music is giving pleasure to senses, as people say, some dance on it, some drive cars, some walk by listening it, some rest and some sleep enjoying music.
The biggest harm it does is it is a mix of poetry - the songs and plain music makes one forget the revelations of Allah. When a person is in free time, he/ she plugs on the music and begins to relax.
Rather as Muslims we are to remind ourselves constantly of Allah and aakhirah.
How many hours of life get wasted in listening to music, which could have been spent in learning the Qur'an or seeking and spreading knowledge of Islam?
As far as poetry is concerned, you accepted your Arab frineds verdict that the poetry mentioned in the Qur'an is : I had a discussion with my dad in the same regards on the same point. He mentioned to me that xxxx Islamic scholar and as well as scholar in French and English literature when asked about the vesres of Surah Ash Shuaara which I stated above, he said:
The verses speak about poets whose poetry leads people astray, it does not say about poetry which guides to Allah. Same point what your Arabic friend said to you.
Now here I asked my dad a question: Would the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) agree that Sahabas (may Allah be pleased with them) would go on making poetry about Allah and invite people to Allah?
What would he want them to do? To memorize the Qur'an and warn by it or to make poems, each person making poems of own and spreading Islam? Would he approve of it? Would Allah approve of it?
What is the difference between a Muslim and a Non Muslim who praise god by poems?
Allah forbid, I seek refuge in him, had the Prophet said good poetry about Allah, would it still not be "POETRY"? And that was the charge of the Mushriks, that he is a poet.
Allah refutes that charge by revealing and ripping off the poets of their robe of innocence and guiding people to good by saying about all "poets", I mentioned to Brother Jay, look at the Qur'an with a deep thought and keen observation:
224. As for poets, the erring follow them.
225. Hast thou not seen how they stray in every valley,
226. And how they say that which they do not?
227. Save those who believe and do good works, and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged. Those who do wrong will come to know by what a (great) reverse they will be overturned! - Surah 26 Ash Shu'aara
Allah does not say here, as for the " bad poets" or as for the "misguiding poets" or as for the "false" poets, He mentions all poets, " as for the poets " , and all poets are included in this verse. Then He says:
Yusuf Ali - And the Poets - It is those straying in Evil, who follow them.
Pickthal - As for poets, the erring follow them.
Arberry - And the poets -- the perverse follow them;
Shakir - And as to the poets, those who go astray follow them.
Sarwar - Only the erring people follow the poets.
H/K/Saheeh - And the poets [only] the deviators follow them;
There may be other poets and soothesayers telling about God to people at the time of the Prophet as well and they may not necessarily be saying only evil. But ultimately they all were poets.
And Allah differentiates them and their poetry from the Qur'an by the next verses:
225. Hast thou not seen how they stray in every valley,
226. And how they say that which they do not?
They go on moving around, saying their poems, making people listen to them and all good they say, they fail to practice it themselves. Where as Muhammad (peace be upon him) lives the Qur'an. He is not like those poets. There is no hypocrisy in his words or actions.
227. Save those who believe and do good works, and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged. Those who do wrong will come to know by what a (great) reverse they will be overturned!
Thus are the poets and those who follow them decieved except those who (after knowing the truth of the matter from the Qur'an) believe and do good works and defend themselves when they are wronged and Allah says the wrongdoers will know with what great reverse they will be over thrown.
Many people gathered poets to drown the hearing of the Qur'an, but the Prophets and the Muslims defended themselves against the onslaught of the disbelievers and Allah promised them victory.
There is to be "fundamentalism" in our belief and actions, if we do not stick to the fundaments of Islam, it is so easy to astray and adapt to what the disbelievers offer us.
And we always need Allah's help, without which even the Prophet of Allah, could have inclined to a "moderation" or middle path,
73. And they indeed strove hard to beguile thee (Muhammad) away from that wherewith We have inspired thee, that thou shouldst invent other than it against Us; and then would they have accepted thee as a friend.
74. And if We had not made thee wholly firm thou mightest almost have inclined unto them a little.
75. Then had We made thee taste a double (punishment) of living and a double (punishment) of dying, then hadst thou found no helper against Us. - Surah Al Israa.
Sister Maria M, it is of course every individual's choice and no compulsion. I just thought to make clear to you an important point that "poetry" is not for us Muslims. If we call to Allah, we should do that in plain terms using the Qur'an, guide them to Allah by it's verses, why with our own words after Allah has delivered a complete scripture?
70. O ye who believe! Guard your duty to Allah, and speak words straight to the point;71. He will adjust your works for you and will forgive you your sins. Whosoever obeyeth Allah and His messenger, he verily hath gained a signal victory. - Surah Ahzaab.
Salaam,
Su hermano.
Walaykum as salam, brother Munib,
You have stablished your points, I have stablished mine. I don´t have the knowledge to say anything else related to this issue.
Thank you very much for sharing.
All my Unconditional Respect,
María
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Sister Maria M,
I do not want " my point to be established".
Allah's word is there for all of us to "see".
And His judgment is already there for poets and followers of poetry.
I have no right to add or subtract anything from it.
Salaam,
Your brother.