Music in Islam

Introduction :
Music is something by which humans entertain themselves to get rid of sorrow,
unhappiness, distress and to develop timely relief from the ongoing or burdened life.
Majority of the people would agree to this explanation without giving any thought of any
other process or practice which could be much better than music. Like music, world loving
people have developed certain other forms of distraction to ease their mind and for
momentary forgetfulness of depression which prevails in their minds. Such distractions
could also be temporarily overlooked by evils like alcoholism, drug addiction, futile gossip,
television entertainment, cinematic vision, sexual indulgence and matters of other
entertainments which are not seen and considered as healthy to human spiritual and
physical stability.
In Islam, the entertainments which are not beneficial to spiritual and physical development
of human are considered illicit and prohibitive. Certainly matters like alcoholism, drug
addiction, futile gossip, and illicit sexual indulgence and in seclusion with opposite sex are
forbidden and illicit. Matters like television entertainment and cinematic envisioning are
matters of much debate but such entertainments with lust and sex are forbidden acts in
Islam. Such are totally illegal for the Muslims unless such equipments are researched for the
purpose of justice and human welfare. Matters like scientific research, geographical
documentaries, historical documentaries, news coverage and matters of wise information for
the positive development of human are legal provided one could control the temptations
towards evil envisioning in the television and silver screen cinema i.e. blue films, X-rayed
Films, violent promoting fictions etc.
We have not seen many episodes of musicians murdering someone because music and the
like of it distract a person from violence. Instead, music and the like of it attract people
towards addiction to alcohol, sexual indecency, physical weaknesses, mental retardation
and intellectual bankruptcy.
Having said so does not include the people who use the music and songs for the devotional
praise of their role model which we may find them in Indian Sufi and Saints gatherings.
Narrated Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari (RTA) that he heard Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
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. And (from them)
there will be some who will stay near the side of a mountain, and in the evening their shepherd will come to them
with their sheep and ask them for something but they will say to him, "Return to us tomorrow". (Almighty) Alloh
will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and (Almighty) Alloh will transform the
rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection" [Bukharie: Volume 7,
Book 69, Hadith #494].
Conclusion:
After having read above explanation, take your own decision by which you could please
Almighty Alloh. Consider music as a path which leads to evil. Sound of music may not be
evil in itself but it distracts your attention from the presence of Almighty Alloh and so the
Taquwa and Qhashiat. You can observe by watching modern day musicians where they
stand and where and how they end in their life span.
In case of sorrow, depression and hopelessness, seek help by developing piety in Almighty
Alloh. Certainly who seek help with patience and Salat, Almighty Alloh facilitates them.
Music is not a solution to peace within, it is your devotion to Almighty Alloh and His Last
Messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which would bring contentment, peace and
tranquility within. Music is a deception to your mind.
If companions of The-Prophet (PBUH) are role model for Muslims then such role models
never entertained with music. Such role models were the people for whom Almighty Alloh
said: "Their reward at their Lord is the gardens of Eden with flowing streams, wherein they abide forever.
(Almighty) Alloh is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. Such is the reward for those who reverence
their Lord " { The Qur'an – Surah Al Bayyenah (Chapter: The Proof ) 98:8}.
Even after learning the above knowledge, still someone among the Muslims love music, it is
his / her own decision. Please do not make it legal from the Islamic point of view but always
consider it futile which will not pay you neither spiritually nor physically. As a brother in
Islam, I would suggest to develop a link with The Qur'an by listening through the beautiful
voice of known Recite i.e. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Ibn Sudes, Sheikh Abdul Bâsit Abdul
Samad, Mohammad Ayub Bin Mohammad Yousuf, Ahmad Al Ajami and many others like
them. There is a strong possibility that you may develop a better interest and start ignoring
music in due course of time.

Qamrul A. Khanson (Canada)