Music and its Effect

Nowadays, people are getting more and more involved in music and for some of them, it is
something they cant stay away from. People are so attached to the music that they find it as an
unavoidable time passa way to get rid of office stresses or family issues. They employ music
system in their cars and home theaters in their homes as well. But it is even worse to know that we
Muslims, too, are prey to it. Apart from its spiritual effect it has also biological effect as well.
What Is Music (Ghina)?
In Islam music is called Ghina, and in Shia Shariah is counted as one of the great sins. At first,
it may seem unrealistic to ban every "pleasant sound"; but there is no need to be alarmed. The
Shariah has defined Ghina in a different way. In Islam, vocal music means:
"Prolongation and vibration of sound with variation of the pitch to such an extent that people
may say that he/she is singing."
It is evident from the above definition that the Shariah does not forbid pleasant sounds;
but if someone recites anything with prolongation of sound and variation of pitch so much
So that a common man thinks that he/she is singing, then and only then it will be Ghina
and sin.
And it makes no difference whether the thing recited was the Quran, religious poem or love poem.
Origin of Music-
We have it on the authority of Imam J afar As-Sadiq (a.s) that when Hazrat Adam (a.s)
died, his infamous son Cain(Qabil) and Satan were very happy. Both gathered at a place
and invented some musical instruments to celebrate the death of Hazrat Adam (a.s). And
in the words of Imam (a.s),
all such musical things which people now use for merrymaking have originated from that.
The Quran on Music-
1. "So abstain from the pollution of the idols and abstain from false vain
words."(22:30).

The Arabic word "Zoor" has several meanings which include falsehood and the musical
expressions. According to Imam J afar As-Sadiq (A.S.) "pollution of the idols" means
Chess and "Vain words" means music.
Note that Music has been joined in this Ayah with the pollution of idols", only then you
can appreciate the seriousness of the sin of Music.

2. "And of the people there is he who buys a vain talk so that he may lead others
astray from the path of Allah without (real) knowledge and takes it (the revelation
of Allah) for a mockery for these shall be a disgracing chastisement
(punishment)." (31:6).
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said: Music is among the things for which Allah has
promised
the Fire (of Hell). Then he recited the above Ayat
3. "Indeed successful are the believers those who in their prayer are humble and
those who keep themselves aloof from Vain (words and deeds)." (23:1-3).

Laghv (Vain words and actions): The first Imam, Imam Ali (a.s.) said that "all that is void
of the remembrance of Allah is Laghv. According to other authentic traditions of Imams,
Laghv means all useless entertainment, wasteful of times among which music has been
specifically mentioned. Also included in this term are vain games played just to while away
the time.

4. "And the servants of the Merciful Allah are those.......... who bear not witness to
What is false, and when they pass by what is vain they pass with dignity"(25:72).
I think that this should be enough for a follower of, Muhammad (S) and Ahul ul Bait (a.s.).
Some traditions on Music:
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
"I forbid you to dance and to play the flute, the drum and the tambourines."
Molten lead will be put in the ears of that person who listens attentively to music and
songs.
Singing is a ladder to Adultery."

Imam Ali (a.s) said:

And music and songs give rise to hypocrisy and is one of the ways leading towards
poverty and hunger.

Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (a.s.) said:
"Music is the nest of hypocrisy."
"Music is the worst of the sounds."
The place where music is performed, Allah does not look at its participants (with mercy).
"Listening to music and vain (sounds) grows hypocrisy as the water grows the plants.


*Rights of Ears
The right of hearing is to keep it pure from listening to backbiting (ghibah) and listening
to that to which it is unlawful to listen.
What the ear hears the heart preserves
Allah says in Quran
There is no two hearts in one body.
So you can either hear what pleases Allah (SWT) or displeases him. So, there is no point
that you can hear both and kept them in one heart.
Music and Health
1. Music stimulates mostly the sympathetic nervous system; & it may create insomnia
(lack of sleep); it may cause tempers to flare-up; sudden laughter or nonsensical talks
are amongst its possible effects. It may even lead to mania (a kind of madness)..
2. A brisk & lively musical programme, particularly if it is accompanied by musical
instruments, disturbs this equilibrium of the various systems; digestion is badly
affected; palpitation of the heart is increased; blood pressure goes high & abnormal
secretion of hormones leaves a lasting bad effect upon general health.
3. Dr. Vollf Adle, proved that music upsets the nervous systems unnaturally, & causes
considerable fatigue.
4. Music creates excitement & tension.
5. Music releases the hormone 'adrenalin' in abnormal quantity. This hormone clots the
blood vessels, & finally leads to heart attack. This relation between excessive release
of adrenalin & heart attack was discovered in France in 1957.
6. By listening to the songs & seeing the dance on television, we ruin the moral
uprightness of our children. If we believe that the children are given to us by Allah
as a trust & that we are responsible to give them such a training that they become
good Muslims & virtuous servants of Allah, then we must abstain from songs &
music; & must keep them safe from the evil influence of these sinful habits.
References
http://www.al-islam.org/
http://www.sayedammar.com/
http://www.islam-laws.com/
*Risalatal Huquq by Imam Zainul Abidin(a.s)

Request of surah fatihah
for
Mohd Raza ibn Safir Ahmed
Qadir un Nisa bint Sayed Hasan