1.0 Introduction

Music is something that has been around for decades, and it has been a part of human life-style, where we are surrounded with media which consist of not only entertainment but as well as a medium of transporting information. While learning what is ethical and what is not ethically accepted, not only socially but it should also covers religiously, where Islam with no doubt comprises daily life. For this semester covering UNGS 2050, ‘Ethics & Fiqh for Everyday Life’, we would like to take this precious opportunity in researching more in depth the significance of music in Islamic perspective in the view of various scholars.

As taken from one of the compiled fatwas responded by the fatwa issued by Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi, in respect in tackling the word “haram” used by various scholars as to be more vigilant in their writings and fatwas that they should observe that Allah is watching over them in all that they say or do. They should also know that this word “haram” is very dangerous. It means that Allah’s Punishment is due on a certain act or saying, and should not be based upon guessing, whims, weak Hadiths, not even through an old book. It has to be supported by a clear, well-established text or valid consensus. If these last two are not found, then we revert the given act or saying to the original rule: "permissibility governing things". We do have a good example to follow from one of our earlier pious scholars.

Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “It was not the habit of those who preceded us, the early pious Muslims, who set good example for the following generations, to say, 'This is halal, and this is haram. But, they would say, ‘I hate such-and-such, and maintain such-and-such, but as for halal and haram, this is what may be called inventing lies concerning Allah. Did not you hear Allah’s Statement that reads, 'Say: Have you considered what provision Allah has sent down for you, how you have made of it lawful and unlawful? Say: Has Allah permitted you, or do you invent a lie concerning Allah?” (Yunus: 59) For, the halal is what Allah and His Messenger made lawful, and the haram is what Allah and His Messenger made unlawful.

Allah Almighty knows best.

2.0 Music and its practices

2.1 Background / History
1

It is often said that music is forbidden in Islam and this assertion is repeated by many

contemporary Muslims as well as by orientalists. Yet, when one studies the Islamic world, either in its present form or during various stages of its history, one is startled by the presence of music in many of the most fundamental aspects of that tradition. The call to prayer (al-adhân) is almost always sung2, as is the Holy Quran whose chanting is the most nourishing of all music for the soul of the people of faith (mu’minûn). During Ramadân, even now in some Islamic cities, one can observe the age old tradition of waking people in time to eat before the dawn and the beginning of the fast by means of chants, drums and sometimes trumpets. Moreover, funeral orations performed under the most strict religious canons are usually sung melodies and in some holy sanctuaries music accompanies religious ceremonies as in Mashhad in Persia at the tomb of Imâm ‘Alî al-Ridâ where drums and an instrument resembling the oboe welcome the rising sun every morning at the earliest moment of the day. Finally it might be mentioned that the Muslim armies performing the holy war (al-jihâd) were accompanied from the earliest times by a type of music which intensified the qualities of bravery and courage within the hearts of the soldiers and that the first military band was created by the Ottomans and later emulated in Europe.

There is also the more popular form of music, or folk music as it is called today, which has existed as an integral part of the life pattern of various groups, especially in the countryside and among the nomads throughout the Islamic world and which has been sung or played by peoples who have adhered most strictly to the Sharî‘ah. Sometimes this type of music has served as inspiration for various Sufi masters who have adopted it for strictly spiritual ends in their gatherings. Even Jalâl al-Dîn Rûmî, the founder of the Maulawî order, often took songs from taverns of Anatolia and converted them into vehicles for the expression of the profoundest yearning for God.

1

Sayyed Hossein Nasr, Islam and Music – the Views of Ruzbahan Baqli, the Patron saint of Shiraz, Studies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 10, No. 1. (Winter, 1976). © World Wisdom, Inc. 2 In some regions of the Islamic world such as Indonesia, the adhân is in fact accompanied by drum beats, which carry through the jungle much farther than the voice of the muezzin.

3

Besides all these forms of music, one must mention the great classical traditions of music in

the Islamic world such as the Persian, Andalusian, Arabic of the Near East, Turkish and even North Indian traditions which have survived to this day. Although the origin of these musical traditions goes back to ancient civilizations, they became fully integrated into the Islamic universe and took their place among the major expressions of Islamic art. These classical traditions were supported mostly by the courts of various caliphs and sultans or the nobility and were more of an aristocratic and knightly art than anything else as far as patronage was concerned4, but the content of this art remained highly contemplative and spiritual. Often the musicians supported by the court or the aristocracy were themselves members of the Sufi orders as can be seen so clearly in Persia and India during the past three centuries.5

Many of the outstanding Islamic men of learning especially philosophers, mathematicians and physicians were well-versed in music and its theories and some like al-Fârâbî, Ibn Sîna and Urmawî were notable authorities in musical theory6. Certain Muslim physicians used music to cure ailments of both body and soul and several treatises were written concerning the therapeutic view of music7. Men of letters were also usually acquainted with music. Poetry in particular has been almost inseparable from music throughout Islamic history as the Kitâb alaghânî of Abu’lFaraj al-Isfahânî illustrates for the early Islamic period. In both Arabic and Persian literature, the close wedding between masterpieces of poetry such as the Burdah or the ghazals of Hâfiz and their musical rendition is to be observed in almost all periods and climes.

With all these considerations in mind, it might be asked what is the meaning of the banning of music in Islam? What domain does the banning involve and what kind of music falls under the Sharî‘ite injunctions concerning music? There is no doubt that this question was debated by
3

Sayyed Hossein Nasr, Islam and Music – the Views of Ruzbahan Baqli, the Patron saint of Shiraz, Studies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 10, No. 1. (Winter, 1976). © World Wisdom, Inc. 4 See S. H. Nasr, “The Influence of Sufism on Traditional Persian Music” (trans. by W. Chittick) Studies in Comparative Religion, Autumn, 1972, pp. 225ff. 5 See J. During, “Elements spirituels dans la musique traditionnelle iranienne contemporaine”, in Sophia Perennis, vol. 1, no. 2, Autumn 1975. 6 See R. Erlanger, La musique arabe, 5 vols., Paris, 1930-1939; the numerous works of H. G. Farmer on both the theory and practice of Arabic music; N. Caron and D. Safvat, Iran (collection Les traditions musicales), vol. 2, Paris, 1972; and A. Shiloah, “L’épitre sur la musique des Ikhwân al-Safâ’,” Revue des Etudes Islamiques, 1965, pp. 125-162; 1967, pp. 159-193, which includes the translation of the important treatise of the Ikhwân al-Safâ’ on music 7 Al-Fârâbî wrote a treatise entitled al-‘Ilâj bi’l-mûsîqâ (Cure through Music) and the Ikhwân al-Safâ’ dealt with the effect of music upon the soul in their Epistles. See Shiloah, op. cit.

noted jurists and theologians including such eminent authorities as Ibn Hazm and al-Ghazzâlî8. It involves most of all the inner and spiritual aspect of Islam, and therefore the answer must be sought above all in Sufism.

2.2 The contemporary music In the contemporary world Music is used as weapons by Illuminati9 (Satanists) backed by Israel against the whole Humanity to intellectually and emotionally enslave the whole mankind (as has been prophesied by Prophet (pbuh)). Below are the views of various scholars and Musicians about music:

1)

Mohammad Abdul Haqeem Thomas. Born in Belgium and brought up in New York,

and worked as Rock musician for a pretty long time. After reading Qur’an for 7 years he finally accepted Islam in 1985. He has a Masters in Linguistics and Bachelors in Music. He is currently working as a lecturer (King south University) in English department. He says, “All of the giant figures in Jazz music are involved in drugs. John Lennnon was a heroin addict. Jelly Roll Morton was the first great composer of Jazz music. He was a pimp (controlled prostitutes) and was completely arrogant. Charlie Parker was considered as genius, but he spent lot of the time lying in the gutter in the streets and finally died of heroin addiction. Coleman Hawkins another great Jazz musician was alcoholic. John Coltrane died a heroinatic. Miles Davis survived his drug addiction days but died recently. Classical musicians are considered disciplined. But many of the classical musicians have been involved in Masonic cult. Heavy metal music involves satanic songs and groups. There are many terrible suicides associated with music.”

2)

John Todd (Manager of zodiac productions- largest music production industry in world

owned by Coleman) said in 1970, “I asked my friend David that Coleman took the master tape track to the temple room and started to call the demon into the master, what is the main purpose of rock music? He replied that rock music is produced so that we can play magic spells upon

8

Al-Ghazzâlî has in fact dealt with the question in his capacity as authority in both exotericism and esotericism. 9 Historically the name refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776. In more modern contexts the name refers to a purported conspiratorial organization which is alleged to mastermind events and control world affairs through governments and corporations to establish a New World Order. (Wikipedia)

people that we couldn’t cast magic spells upon. By singing the songs they allow us to cast spells on them. Then I asked him that I have been hearing that you must have to initiate a witch to get a record contract. He said yes.”

John Todd was once a member of Illuminati and involved in occult. When he tried to expose illuminati, he was framed, imprisoned, drugged in jail and sent to a mental institution by the illuminati as an effort to discredit him, after that he mysteriously disappeared. Not only John Todd, but many rock stars who tried to expose illuminati were either killed or disappeared. e.g., when Michael Jackson tried to expose illuminati, he was first charged for abusing children and finally assassinated, Murder attempt was made on Britney spears but she survived the injuries, she was taken to Illuminati hospital where she was operated and no one was given access to the operation theatre nor informed about the type of injuries she suffered. Same was the fate of Tupac (king of west coast rap), Biggie (East coast rap), Pimp C (south rap), Jimi Hendrix etc.

Illuminati have been launching one star after another. Music industry is corrupted and controlled by the elite society. To get fame and be promoted, aspiring artists must follow their rules, do and show what they want them to. Otherwise they are replaced or killed. Illuminati launched Madonna, Britney spears, Christine, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Keyshia etc. and many of their albums & lyrics symbolize the illuminati and advocate blasphemy, suicide, violence, despair, or New Age spirituality in pop/rock today. Madonna in one of her songs can be seen walking on the Quranic script and dancing in front of the burning cross.

3)

David J. Stewart writes:

“What many people don’t realize is that Elton John’s music is saturated with witchcraft language. Many of Elton John’s top songs weren’t written by himself; BUT, rather, by his long-time music partner and lyricist, Bernie Taupin(a Satanist). Not surprisingly, in 1991, Bernie Taupin self-published a book of poems called The Devil at High Noon. Taupin has stated that Elton John’s “home is laden with trinkets and books relating to Satanism and witchcraft” (US, July 22, 1980, p. 42). Taupin admits that he decorates his walls with “satanic art”” Elton John once said that he has never written a song or sung a song which is not in a witch language.

The products of the mesonically controlled music industry are riddled with subliminal satanic message. Backtracking is the means of placing recorded messages into sound track is such a

way that they only become intelligible when the track is replayed backwards. When played forward, the listener is unaware that a message is being played, but the subconscious mind picks up the message.

Slavi an Ex-Illuminati Programmer / Trainer says in an interview: “Rock music industry is much more heavily controlled. The songs are FILLED with programming images. I believe that Brittany Spears, Eminem, and others are being used by them to sing lyrics they like (ever notice that he wears a Neo-Nazi look and sings hate lyrics? This is NOT by chance). In fact, many of the top pop singers come from an internship with the “Mickey Mouse club” (yep, good old Walt the Illuminist’s Empire) and I believe they are offered stardom in exchange for allegiance or mind control.”

. . . Perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not. (Qur’an: al-Baqara, ayat 216)

3.0 Music in Islamic Perspective The whole issue of singing is controversial, whether it is with musical accompaniment or not. Some issues succeeded to gain the Muslim scholars’ agreement, while others failed. All scholars have unanimous view on the prohibition of all forms of singing and music that incites debauchery, indecency, or sin. As for musical instruments, given the weakness of the evidence indicating that they are forbidden, the rule to be applied here is the one states that all things are originally deemed permissible as long as there is no Shari`ah text that prohibits them.

Singing is no more than melodious words; if these are good, singing is considered good; but if they are bad, such singing is deemed bad. Talk that contains forbidden content is prohibited. What if that talks is accompanied with rhythm and melody?

In the subject of musical instruments, scholars disagree on the matter. 1) Some of them permit all sorts of singing, be it accompanied with musical instruments or not, and even consider it recommended. 2) A second group of scholars permit singing only when is not accompanied with a musical instrument. 3) A third group declares it to be prohibited whether it is accompanied with a musical instrument or not; they even consider it as a major sin.

3.1 Views that permits music

1) Scholars agree on the permissibility of singing without instrumental accompaniment and where the content is not prohibited. This sort of singing is allowed only in certain occasions such as: weddings, feasts, welcoming a traveler, and the like. This is based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) that states: “He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, ‘Have you given the girl (i.e., the bride) anything as a present?’ They (the attendants) replied, ‘Yes.’ He asked, 'Did you send a singer along with her?' 'No', said `A'ishah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said, 'The Ansar are a people who love poetry. You should have sent along someone who would sing: Here we come, to you we come, greet us as we greet you.'"

In this case, we can say that a woman can sing only in front of women and her nonmarriageable male kin.

2) They base their argument on some authentic hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). One of these hadiths is the following:

`A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: “Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him, came to my house while two girls were singing beside me the songs of Bu`ath(a story about the pre-Islamic war between the two tribes of the Ansar, the Khazraj and theAwus). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) laid down and turned his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying, ‘Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?’ Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) turned his face towards him and said, ‘Leave them.’ When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to those girls to go out and they left.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

This indicates that these two girls were not as young as claimed by some scholars. If they were, Abu Bakr would not have been angry with them in such manner. In addition, in this hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to teach the Jews that Islam has room for

merriment and that he himself was sent with a moderate and flexible legislation. There is also another important lesson to learn here. It draws our attention to the fact that one needs to introduce Islam to others in a good fashion, along with displaying its moderateness and magnanimity. 3) Moreover, we can also cite as corroborating this Allah’s words that read, “But when they spy some merchandise or pastime they break away to it and leave thee standing. Say: That which Allah hath is better than pastime and than merchandise, and Allah is the best of providers.” (Al-Jumu`ah: 11)

In this verse, Allah Almighty joins pastime with merchandise. He does not dispraise any of them, He just only rebuked the Companions who left Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) alone giving the khutbah (Friday Sermon), when they all rushed to attend to the caravan and beating of the drums celebrating its arrival.
10

4)

There are some Ahadith which indicate that it is permissible to beat the daff i.e. the

tambourine (which is open on one side and covered on the other).

Narrated Urwa on the authority of Aisha on the days of Mina, (11th, 12th, and 13th of DhulHijjah) Abu Bakr came to her while two young girls were beating the tambourine (daff) and the Prophet was lying covered with his clothes. Abu Bakr scolded them. The Prophet uncovered his face and said to Abu Bakr, "Leave them, for these days are the days of 'Id and the days of Mina." [Sahih Al-Bukhari] 11

Narrated Ar Rabi (the daughter of Muawwidh bin Afra): After the consummation of my marriage, the Prophet came and sat on my bed as far from me as you are sitting now, and our little girls started beating the tambourines (daff) and reciting elegiac 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, Leave

10

Dr. Zakir Naik’s view on Music in Islam, dated 3rd March 2009, sources: http://islamicb.blogspot.com/2009/03/dr-zakir-naiks-view-on-music-in-islam.html 11 [Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.2 Hadith No.987]

this (saying) and keep on saying the verses which you had been saying before. [Sahih AlBukhari] 12

The view of Dr. Zakir Naik given the above evidence it is concluded that the use of musical instruments in general is forbidden in Islam, with the exception of the 'Daff'.

3.2 Views that prohibits music

In supporting their view, they cite the hadith narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Malik Al Ashari or Abu `Amir Al-Ash`ari (doubt from the sub-narrator) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk (clothes), the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful.'13 Although this hadith is in Sahih Al-Bukhari, its chain of transmission is not connected to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and this invalidates its authenticity. Ibn Hazm rejects it for that very reason. Moreover, the sub-narrator, Hisham Ibn `Ammar is declared ‘weak’ by many scholars of the Science of Hadith Methodology.

Besides, this hadith does not clearly prohibit the use of musical instruments, for the phrase 'consider as lawful,' according to Ibn Al-`Arabi, has two distinct meanings:

First: Such people think all these (the things mentioned) are lawful.

Second: They exceed the proper limits that should be observed in using these instruments. If the first meaning is intended, such people would be thus disbelievers.

In fact, the hadith in hand dispraises the manners of a group of people who indulge themselves in luxuries, drinking alcohol and listening to music. Therefore, Ibn Majahnarrates this hadith from Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari in the following wording:

12 13

Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.7 Hadith No.5147 Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.7 Hadith No.5590

"From among my followers there will be some people who will drink wine, giving it other names while they listen to musical instruments and the singing of female singers; Allah the Almighty will make the earth swallow them and will turn them into monkeys and pigs.” (Reported by Ibn Hibbanin his Sahih)

4.0 Music- reign in different khilaf

In the light of the above, it is clear that the religious texts that stand as a basis for those who maintain that singing is haram are either ambiguous or inauthentic. None of the hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is valid as evidence on the judgment of prohibition. Moreover, all these hadiths are declared ‘weak’ by the followers of Ibn Hazm, Malik, Ibn Hanbal, and Ash-Shafi`i.  In his book, Al-Ahkam, Al-Qadi Abu Bakr Ibn Al-`Arabi says, “None of the hadiths maintaining that singing is prohibited are considered authentic (by the scholars of the Science of Hadith Methodology).”  The same view is maintained by Al-Ghazali and Ibn An-Nahwi in Al-`Umdah.Ibn Tahir says, “Not even a single letter from all these Hadiths was proved to be authentic.”  Ibn Hazm says, “All the hadiths narrated in this respect were invented and falsified.”

5.0 Conclusion

There are some conditions and terms that should be observed regarding listening to singing, as follows:

1. Not all sorts of singing are permissible. Rather, the permissible song should comply with the Islamic teachings and ethics. Therefore, the songs praising the tyrants and corrupt rulers disagree with Islamic teachings. In fact, Islam stands against transgressors and their allies, and those who show indifference to their transgression. So, the same goes for those songs that imply giving praises to such attitude!

2. Also, the way the song is performed weighs so much. The theme of the song may be good, but the performance of the singer – through intending excitement and arousing others’ lusts and desires along with trying to seduce them – may move it to the area of prohibition, suspicion or even detest. The Glorious Qur’an addresses the wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) saying, “O you wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft of speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease aspire (to you), but utter customary speech." (Al-Ahzab: 32) So, one has to show caution to music when there is softness of speech accompanied with rhyme, melody, and special effects!

3. Singing should not be accompanied with something that is prohibited such as alcohol, nakedness, mixing of men with women that is common in pubs and nightclubs, etc.

4. Islam has declared excessiveness as prohibited in everything. The same goes for excessiveness in leisure and recreation even though the substance are permissible. This indicates that the emptiness of the mind and heart has to be observed and tackled during man’s short-term life. One should know that Allah Almighty will ask every one about his life and his youth in particular.

There are some things in which one is to be his own judge. If there is some kind of singing that arouses lust or desire, and takes him away from the real life, he should avoid it and block that very gate from which the winds of trial and seduction may come and erase his religion, morals and heart. If he does this, he will live in peace and tranquility.

References
1) Sayyed Hossein Nasr, Islam and Music - The Views of Rûzbahân Baqlî, the Patron Saint of Shiraz, Studies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 10, No. 1. (Winter, 1976).

2) Proofs of Those Who Maintain that Singing is Halal, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080312005843AA2yciq 3) Ayt. Makarim Shirazi & Ayt. Ja'far Subhani, Music from the Islamic point of view, Religious Questions Answered: Logic for Islamic Rules, dated 27 September 2006, http://mmasoom.multiply.com/journal/item/28?&show_interstitial=1&u=%2Fjournal %2Fitem
4) Al Bayyinah, Music – an Islamic perspective, http://arshadnaik.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/music-and-mind-control/ 5) Dr. Zakir Naik's View on Music in Islam, dated 3rd March 2009, http://islamicb.blogspot.com/2009/03/dr-zakir-naiks-view-on-music-in-islam.html 6) Singing & Music: Islamic View, http://www.quranforall.org/fatawaa/ivmusic.htm