Finally! Mecca2Medina responded and now Sami has. Thanks to hahmed.com for letting me know. Updates: After 70+ comments, I had to rant off on the haters.
Open Letter
From Sami Yusuf to Yvonne Riddley
17/06/06
Dear Yvonne,
Peace and blessings of God be upon you.
Your recent article on ‘Pop Culture in the Name of Islam’ has been brought to my attention. I commend you for voicing your opinion and raising some very important issues – albeit in a very provocative manner. I thought it would be useful to share some of my thoughts with you on this matter.
As a Muslim artist, I regularly seek clarification and advice from world-renowned scholars on art, music, singing and culture. Be informed that the subject of music is one of the most controversial topics in Islamic Jurisprudence. I respect those who consider music to be haram. Yes eminent scholars of our past have opined such. However, I respect and follow the opinion of other eminent scholars – classical and contemporary, who permit singing and the use of musical instruments. The well-established jurisprudential rule states that ‘in matters where there is ikhtilaf (differences of opinion) there is to be no condemnation of either opinion.’ This is from the beauty of the religion of Islam. The diversity of our cultural, legal and social traditions is something we are in dire need of celebrating not condemning. So let’s agree to disagree on this one.
The obsessive fascination of fans towards any celebrity – be it in arts, music, politics, media, etc – to the point of hysteria and hero-worshipping is definitely unhealthy not to mention un-Islamic. Of course, as Muslims, we are required to abide by certain etiquettes in whatever situation we may find ourselves in. However, I definitely did not see girls dancing or behaving indecently in any of my concerts. To state otherwise is a gross exaggeration if not an outright fallacy. And if indeed that did take place then let’s deal with it in the true Prophetic tradition – a tradition that imparts love, mercy, tolerance and wisdom. Let me share with you the story of the Bedouin who came to the Prophet’s mosque and started urinating in the mosque itself. The Companions rushed to grab him and give him a ‘good beating.’ But the Prophet did not allow them to do so and told them to let him be. After the Bedouin had urinated, the Prophet asked his Companions to bring a bucket of water and wash the place. Afterwards he called the man and with gentleness and affection explained to him that this was a place of worship and that it should be kept clean. Though I have to say that had the Bedouin been around today he would be lucky to get away with just a ‘good beating’!
Indeed the state of contemporary mainstream music is one dominated by celebrity worship, materialism and the constant promotion of a consumerist culture that seeks only to derive instant emotional and physical gratification. The arts industry in general – and the music industry specifically – is being commercialised at the expense of art itself. We don’t value good art or good music anymore – it’s about what can sell most in the market. In the midst of all this, it is upon all conscious and responsible artists who look beyond the commercial to work in refining arts and music. Apart from entertaining audiences, music is a powerful medium to communicate values and social messages. In these times where heinous crimes against humanity are being committed, we as artists – Muslims or non-Muslims, British or non-British – have a duty to use this medium to bring some sanity to this world of unrest, fear, violence, terror and war. Human life and dignity are values that should be cherished and championed by all. Had you listened carefully to the songs in my latest album which is actually entitled ‘My Ummah’ before hastily passing judgements, you would have noticed my modest attempt at addressing issues facing the global Muslim community – such as regaining our lost legacy in all spheres of human life, oppression in different parts of the Muslim world, Aids, landmines, poverty and freedom to wear the hijab.
This leads me to another important issue which you raised – that of identity and culture. Who are we? How do we define ourselves? What do we stand for? Let me remind you again – I am a British Muslim. Proud to be Muslim and proud to be British! Why? Because this is what Islam teaches me to be – loyal towards my faith and my country. Throughout our rich history, wherever Muslims settled they adopted and fused the best aspects of the local culture/society with Islamic teachings and traditions. As Dr. Umar Faruq Abdallah, a leading American Muslim scholar and thinker writes in ‘Islam the Cultural Imperative’:
In history, Islam showed itself to be culturally friendly and, in that regard, has been likened to a crystal clear river. Its waters (Islam) are pure, sweet, and life-giving but—having no color of their own—reflect the bedrock (indigenous culture) over which they flow. In China, Islam looked Chinese; in Mali, it looked African. Sustained cultural relevance to distinct peoples, diverse places, and different times underlay Islam’s long success as a global civilization.
At a time when leading Muslim scholars and thinkers have reached an advanced stage in crystallising theories of citizenship and positive integration into Western societies, any discussion of renouncing parts of our identity is simply ridiculous, dangerous and destructive – especially for someone who has no other homeland. Such emotional fist-pumping and chest-pounding about renouncing our British identity may seem attractive to a minority of Muslim youth, but as Muslims in positions of influence like yourself, we should not play to these base instincts. Rather, we should try to be more far-sighted and responsible in our discourse and not sacrifice this in the pursuit of tabloid-style sensationalist journalism.
Do you not see the Prophet of Islam shedding tears whilst migrating from Makkah – his beloved homeland to Madina despite the persecution he suffered at the hands of its people. Britain is my home. I was raised here as a child, I went to school here, most of my friends – Muslims and non-Muslims – are British and my earliest as well as fondest memories are rooted here. Does being British mean I take pride in the oppressive and exploitative colonial past of Britain? Does it mean I support the British invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq? Does it mean I support the Anti-Terrorism Act? Does it mean I support the erosion of civil liberties and human rights? Of course not! But Yvonne, let us be fair and not forget that it was in Britain that the world witnessed the largest anti-war demonstration – a testimony to the moral consciousness of the British public. I too was in that demonstration voicing my discontent over the foreign policies of our government. Although we have our fair share of racism, Islamophobia, discrimination, under-representation – and in no way am I claiming that we live in a utopian society, but I still believe that British society is amongst the most tolerant, open, liberal, multi-cultural and inclusive societies in the world. We don’t need to go far but Muslims in the Continent would envy the liberties and opportunities that British Muslims take for granted. Actually the real debate that needs to take place is how are we to shape this emerging British / European / Western Muslim identity and what direction it should take. I see my work a humble contribution towards that end.
You are critical of my mention that the Metropolitan Police is inclusive of Muslims. By God, who are you depending on to protect and safeguard our streets? Yes, there is no doubt that the Metropolitan Police have committed a series of grave mistakes and blunders – the recent Forest Gate incident is one such example and the Police must be held fully accountable for their actions. But we as Britons and Muslims have a religious and civic obligation to help maintain a safe and secure Britain. This actually raises serious questions about the participation of British Muslims not just in the Metropolitan Police but in mainstream civil society. We have three options as a community: [1] To assimilate and lose our cultural, ethnic and even religious roots. [2] To ghettoise and divorce ourselves from society and face extermination. [3] To positively integrate and contribute to society whilst remaining loyal to both faith and country. I – like the vast majority Muslims – have chosen option three. We need to build trust and partnerships with civil institutions and engage with them. This path entails that we be active members in our communities and societies; that we participate at all levels of society from politics to sports, from academia to arts, from business to media; that we reserve and exercise the right of dissent and criticism; that we join our fellow citizens in building a safe, peaceful, tolerant and pluralistic society that embodies the values of freedom and justice. Thus I commend you for standing in the last European Elections, General Elections and the recent Council Elections as a candidate in order to get your views heard, to make an impact, and to represent British people – although I hope you have better luck next time. Positive engagement – not anarchist ranting -– is the path we must tread.
It is true that the state of the global Muslim community is saddening but are we meant to live in perpetual grieving and lamenting and dress in black? Despite all the oppression and persecution suffered by the Prophet, he would always find time to celebrate the different joyful moments in life such as marriages, births, Eids and other happy occasions. He, peace and blessings of God be upon him, also found time to enjoy poetry and even had appointed a personal poet – the notable companion Hassan ibn Thabit.
Maintaining balance and adopting the middle way is the key in these troubled times of ours. Extremism and extremists have no place in Islam and in our civil societies. “Perished are the extremists” is a famous Prophetic tradition. Extremism is not a problem unique to Islam. Every religion, every way of life, every ideology has its puritans and those willing to distort and misinterpret it to meet their own agenda. And these are no different to those that commit acts of terror, who preach extremism, and who sow seeds of hatred in the name if Islam. There is no denying that Muslims in places like Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir and Chechnya are facing oppression and tragedy every day, and both the Muslim world and the West need to come together to solve these problems in the greater interest of humanity. Western governments in particular must understand that to help the majority of Muslims defeat the minority of extremists, they must assist us in eradicating the daily humiliation faced by Muslims across many parts of the world. Ending this humiliation is the only way forward for us.
You have every right to criticise and disagree with me or anyone else for that matter, and I always welcome any advice and constructive criticism for I know my defects and shortcomings are many. I am guided by the ancient wisdom which states ‘May God have mercy on the one who shows me my defects – for that is the best gift he could give me.’ However, in the Islamic tradition there are adab (ethics) of criticism and disagreement. I know you wrote your article with sincerity and zeal, but on a more personal level, I was deeply pained and saddened by the hostile tone and the vulgar style of your language that was brimming with sarcasm and was clearly un-Islamic, indecent and a gross violation of the beautiful teachings of our beloved Prophet who said “I was not sent except to perfect your manners.” Using words such as “astagfirullah dude,” “lap-dancing,” ‘whooping and dancing,” and describing the volunteer stewards as “pipe cleaners” and “bulldozers” are inappropriate to say the very least. What shocked and even angered me was the way you shamelessly insulted our pure innocent sisters who were supporting a charity concert by describing them as “fluffers”! (Incidentally, these very sisters managed to raise over £100,000 for orphans all over the world.) I – like the vast majority of those who read your article – was blissfully ignorant about the very existence of this disgusting obscene word, and I would question the wisdom of introducing it to the vocabulary of your readers. As to my performances, I always consciously endeavour to be responsible, respectable, modest and dignified on stage.
It has been my approach that whenever personal criticism is levelled at me I ignore it and get on with my work, as my philosophy in life is to build and not destroy, and to unite not divide. However, on this occasion I felt duty-bound to respond because of the dangerous ideas and notions contained in your article. Yvonne, let us work together as fellow Muslims and Britons in building a better future for our community and all human beings and strive to make our world a safer, more peaceful, tolerant and prosperous place.
Yours faithfully,
Sami Yusuf
Link here: Open Letter From Sami Yusuf to Yvonne Ridley
304 Responses for "Sami Yusuf responds to Yvonne Ridley"
Be a real man – grow a beard.
be a real man, put ya name.
Man he pretty much sums up what I thought of her letter too.
I love you Sami.
man subhanallah the brother wrote a term paper..
He commented a lot of lyrics and whatnot, but subhanallah the issue is with the intruments. not the words. wallahu alem.
may Allah guide us to what is more righteous. ameen.
umm brother gumbo, maybe u should re-read the 2nd paragraph of his letter, better yet here ill copy it for u:
As a Muslim artist, I regularly seek clarification and advice from world-renowned scholars on art, music, singing and culture. Be informed that the subject of music is one of the most controversial topics in Islamic Jurisprudence. I respect those who consider music to be haram. Yes eminent scholars of our past have opined such. However, I respect and follow the opinion of other eminent scholars – classical and contemporary, who permit singing and the use of musical instruments. The well-established jurisprudential rule states that ‘in matters where there is ikhtilaf (differences of opinion) there is to be no condemnation of either opinion.’ This is from the beauty of the religion of Islam. The diversity of our cultural, legal and social traditions is something we are in dire need of celebrating not condemning. So let’s agree to disagree on this one.
May Allah prevent us from acting all self-righteous and thinking that we are better than any1 else.
What a bunch of bull.
Notice nowhere did he provide evidence proving music is permissible.
He needs to let go of that modernist mentality.
May Allah guide us all. Ameen
LOL ALLAHU AKBAR!
I have never seen any evidence in any speach lecture or articles he has ever written. There is no difference of opinion on music. it is known by nessessity that it is forbidden. Only a light drum was made permissible by Muhammad(saw) at weddings which were only allowed to be played by women for women. Where in the hadeeths does Muhammad(saw) say music is ok.`There will be people of my Ummah who will seek to make lawful; fornication, wine-drinking and the use of ma`aazif ( musical instruments ).` If music is allowed why would Muhammad(saw) compare it to wine and fornication. lol Are you telling me that scholars differ on that statement. Also if it was allowed why was music banned in Arabia when Muhammad(saw) started preachng Islam.
the only differenc eof opinions among the scholars is if it is allowed at weddings. And even these scholars say if it is allowed there are restrictions. Also if a scholar says o its ok, are you going to follow that scholar on whatever he saays on anything.
Sheikh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahu Allah) said this hadith proves musical instruments to be haram and “ma3azif†(the term in the hadith is a term used for all musical instruments.)
Then, he went on to say of those who play music or listen to it in the name of Islam, “And know that in the first three centuries whether in Arabian Peninsula, Sham, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, or Khurasan there were none of those who were religious and righteous of worshippers who gather to listen to music whether with a duff, clappings or flute. And, it was done after the first three centuries, when the imams saw this, they refuted it.â€
The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) walked with Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf in between pine trees. The prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam) then placed his son Ibrahim on his lap and began to cry. Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf said, “Oh prophet of Allah do you cry when you stop us from crying?†He said, “I did not deter you from crying. I deterred you from two evil sinful voices – a voice with musical devilish instruments and a voice at a misery with scraping of the face and shredding of the clothe.â€
All 4 schools of thought which are to be reffered to on every matter because of their vasy knowledge agree that music is haraam and when one hears it he must get up and leave.
Saying of the Imams Regarding Music
1. The Madhab of Imam Abu Hanifa:
The Madhab of Imam Abu Hanifa is among the most critical and harshest quotes on music. Imam Abu Hanifa’s students clearly declared musical instruments haram and anyone who listens to it is considered a fasiq whose testimony is not accepted.
Some went on to say that listening to music is fisq (astray) and enjoying it is kufr. They used weak hadith to support that statement.
They also said one must strive not to listen to it if he passes by it or if its near him.
Abu Yusuf, one of Abu Hanifa’s most famous teachers, said, “A house that music is heard from can be raided without permission because ordaining the good and forbidding the evil is fard, and if we require permission for entry in such situation then people would not be able to perform the fard of forbidding the evil.†Ighathet Allahfan 1/425
2. The Madhab of Imam Malik:
Imam Malik (rahimahu Allah ) was asked about those who play the drums and flute and those who enjoy listening to it as one passes by.
He said one must get up and leave unless he is sitting for something extremely urgent or cannot get up. If he hears it in his pathway then he should go back or speed forward.
He said music is something the fusooq (astray) do.
Ibn Abdal Bar (rahimahu Allah) said scholars agree by ijma3 on the issue of riba, that the dowry of the prostitution is taking payment for weeping over the dead, forturne tellers those who claim to know unforeseen and news of the skies, musical instruments, and all wrongful play.
3. The Madhab of Imam Shafi’i:
His students and those truly knowledgeable of his madhab clearly declared music and musical instruments haram and denied that he ever said it was halal.
The author of “Kifayat al Akbarâ€, who is a Shafi’i scholar, considered musical instruments an evil that needed to be forbidden upon those who hear or see it. He said that a person is not excused if scholars who go with the flow are present (make a fatwa for it) or if they are poor (meaning the Sufis as that was one of their names back then). Because they are ignorant followers of everyone who barks. They never follow the brightness of knowledge but bend to every wind.
4. The Madhab of Imam Ahmad:
Imam Ahmad’s son, Abdullah, asked his father about music. His father said, “It grows hypocrisy within one’s heart and I dislike it.†And, then he said Imam Maliks quote that only fusooq (astray) do it. (Igathet Al lahfan)
Ibn Qudamah, who is considered among the biggest Imam of the Hanbali Madhabs, said, “Musical instruments are haram like guitar, trumpets, flutes, drums and so on. Whoever continues to listen to it, his testimony is rejected. Almughny 10/173
And then he goes on to say, “If one goes to a wedding with prohibition like alcohol musical instrument and can forbid evil then he must otherwise he should not attend.â€
1. Book 4. Prayer. Hadith 1942.
‘Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah (way peace be upon him) came (in my apartment) while there were two girls with me singing the song of the Battle of Bu’ath. He lay down on the bed and turned away his face. Then came Abu Bakr and he scolded me and said: Oh ! this musical instrument of the devil in the house of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) ! The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) turned towards him and said: Leave them alone. And when he (the Holy Prophet) became inattentive, I hinted them and they went out, and it was the day of ‘Id and negroes were playing with shields and spear. (I do not remember) whether I asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) or whether he said to me if I desired to see (that sport). I said: Yes. I stood behind him with his face parallel to my face, and he said: O Banu Arfada, be busy (in your sports) till I was satiated. He said (to me): Is that enough? I said: Yes. Upon this he asked me to go.
Muhammad(saw) was upset with aisha and her two friends when he heard them and so he lay to the side to show anger.
How in the world can all this eveidence be not enough. The fact of the matter that its not hard to intrpret. And the fact the every companion of the Prophet and every famous scholar and all 4 schools of thought say it is haraam. What scholar are you following, because i follow the prophet and his companions. these modern day schoars are modern. And are the worst generation of the muslims. So you mean to tell me your going against all 4 schools of thought, the most looked to scholars which every scholar refers to for evidence and jurispudence. Yor going against the prophet and his companians. Brother inshaAllah this music is so haraam. If sami yusuf is so right why does he not supply the evidence, he would have to be crazy to refute all those people i just mentioned.
I think the stand-point on music being ‘haram-no-questions-asked’ is arguable even from a traditional point of view. Different scholars have different understandings of the permissibility of Music. Since both sides are ‘valid’, it is silly to be judgemental and so negative towards those who may not share the same view points on the issue: at the end of the day, there are greater common-grounds we share with each other (such as belief in the Unity of God), and it is these similarities of faith that unite us as an Ummah. I think today we’ve taken this ‘self-righteous’ attitude towards other muslims; which has created a lot of division and hatred that is not allowed either (strictly- Islamically- speaking). Its probably ‘more haram’ to speak self-righteously and condemn fellow muslims, then it is to,say, listen to a song with lyrics like “O Allah dont deprive me from beholding Your beauty…”
Anyway, I havnt read all of Yvonne Ridley’s article on the issue (so I dont know what its about in its entirety), but I reckon she had some important points in her article which I couldnt help but agree with (altho the manner in which she wrote the article was very negative).
QUESTION Could you please give us your opinion regarding the recent criticism of Sami Yousef’s music by some scholars claiming his use of “un-Islamic” instruments in some of his songs.
ANSWER
There is nothing called Islamic and un-Islamic instruments; instruments are tools whose rulings is based on the way they are used for. This is a juristic rule that tools are judged according to the purpose they are used for. The negative attitude towards musical instruments in the old classical Islamic jurisprudence was mainly a reaction for deviant practices of people rather than a reflection of juristic texts.
Though the view of the majority of scholars is to forbid all musical instruments except duff, this view is based on weak arguments that do not stand solid in the juristic perspective.
1. Scholars tried to derive the ruling of prohibition from some verses of the Qur’an but while doing so they interpreted the verses in a way that is far from the direct and obvious meaning.
2. Ahadiths quoted in this regard are either unauthentic, not decisive to the effect prohibition, or opposed by stronger and more solid evidences from the Sunnah.
3. Some scholars, past and present, have verified the subject and pointed out the weakness of the argument stating that all musical instruments are forbidden. Some of these scholars are Ibn Hazm and Ash-Shawkani in the past, and Sheikh Al-Qaradawi and Al-Ghazali in the present.
As for Sami Yusuf, he followed a legitimate school of thought that stand on solid foundation. He used musical instruments to serve the cause of Islam and in my view and others he has done a good job in this filed. Attacking Sami Yusuf is, therefore, wrong from both the jurisprudential way as the juristic rule states that “a controversial matter is not to be condemned as wrongâ€. Any work that a person achieves based on a fatwa with solid evidences and issued by reliable scholars is not to be opposed even though we tend to subscribe to a different school of thought. We need to understand this juristic rule very well so as to allow diversity of opinions and pluralism in the madhahabs.
Those who attack Sami Yusuf are unfortunately ignoring the huge impact that un-Islamic deviant arts on especially on youth and the pressing need for alternatives. We live in a time that art has become more effective than the sword and the use of force. You can just imagine the huge impact that the recently published novel Da Vinci Code is leaving on the Christian faith and culture.
The good efforts done by Sami Yusuf in creating an alternative and using the musical instruments and video clips that were ever dedicated for indecency, must be appreciated and looked at positively.
http://www.islamonline.net/livedialogue/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=001qUP
I agree with gq man and abdullah, he provided no evidence, however all the evidence is against him. The only scholars that have said music is halaal is scholars alive today. No music is allowed it doesnt matter if it says o Allah. As long as it has no musical instruments you can O Allah all day. But the use of instruments is forbidden. why doesnt sami just do nasheeds. i agree with oecd that we must not speak in a condemning fashion and treat the other muslim like crap, howveer we must have proper adab. But this topic is known by nessisity. Are you going to follow sami or are you going to follow Allah. The thing is if you want to listen to music go ahead, not every musim is going to be a good muslim or not every muslim is going to have the same iman. But to say music is halaal is to become a kaffir becasue you are not aloud to say somthing haraam is halaal in islam. We must refer to Allah and his messenger, not sami yusf
one more thing for oecd. You said he follow a legitamite school of thought, but we know the only legitamate schools of thoughts are the 4 madhabs., which all go against sami,. today the scholars are far from pure, we should use scholars alive in the time of Muhammad, but you said atleast sami puts it in a positive form of Music. yes sami yusuf puts his music in a positive way for muslims to come to islam. that doesnt still mean its halaal. Drinking is haraam we know, however doctors say if you drink one glass of wine it will keep you healthy, does this mean it is halaal cause it can bring a benefit, salaam alaikum
i meant that for random not u oecd, may Allah forgive me
salaams everyone insha’Allah you are all well….
Although i may not agree with everything in the article i must say that masha’Allah it was beautifully written and an enjoyable read…he aaddressed all the issues and presented a persuasivbe argument…i feel really sorry for him….her attack was personal and un called for….
May Allah guide us all….
InshaAllah i want to keep up this convo because as Muslims we must try to get things reasoned out.
The first things as Muslims is we follow the quran and sunnah, the sahabah, tabieen and the tabi tabieen. Because Muhammad(saw) said to follow the first threee generations of Muslims as well because we must look to the Muslims who have seen the prophet for guidance. Muhammad(saw) has said that the drop of blood from a muslim is worth more than the world and everything it contains. therfore when we even see a Muslim a smile on our face should light up because we see our brother or sister and they are suuppose to be dearer to us. Having debates is a part of Islam especially now adays with everyone thinking somthing else.
Forget about sami, forget about todays scholars and forget about every Muslim on the planet earth as of Today. We should refer to the Messanger and allah for guideance. i could careless what today scholars think, i follow Allah not a scholar. And every Muslim knows if they do follow a scholar it should be someone freee from sins which we know are the first generations of Muslims.cholars are the reason why this world is divided not the individual muslim. scholars have lead people away because muslim see the word scholar in front of his name and automatically he might know what hes talking about. Howvever listen to this. There are thousand of so called scholars today who are voicing there opinions. meanwhile a 6 year old and 10 year olds become a hafiz and learn the entire quran, that shows you that just cause hes a scholar means hes a saint. There are 10 year olds smarter than sami yusuf, there are t en year olds smarter than me. Ibn taymiyyah was giving islamic verdicts for the islamic state when he was 17, im 21. that shows that you follow the rightly guided not today. That is why the first 4 khulafah are called the rightly guided ones. Beause we have to look to them. And no where at that time did they listen to music, they forbid it. As this modern thing goes. Most Muslims today say hey its modern times, its to help spread islam, other people are doing it. So if the kuffar do it its ok to do it. And on the day of Judgement do you think Allah is going to care if you grew up in modern times or whether your ancient, no. Allah cares wether if you follow him or not.
WOW!! That was a really well-written article. He should write more.
[quote]Notice nowhere did he provide evidence proving music is permissible.[/quote]
Why should he provide the evidence for us? That’s the job of scholars and jurists. It’s enough for him to state the facts about the lack of consensus amoung the scholars on the issue of music. And make the point that one shouldn’t condemn scholars or laymen that take a different legit stance on the issue.
[quote]Be a real man – grow a beard[/quote]
Why? Because some people can’t make the effort to find out more about him, and so have to rely on judging him by his appearance?
only the salafis are hatin…
j/k haha
Assalamu’alaikum;
Br. Sami Yusuf,
I hope this short message reaches you in
the best of health.
A few months? (weeks?) ago, i got a chance to read Sr. Yvonne Ridley’s letter on one of the website’s.
I too, was completely heart broken, at the horrid exaggeration, I knew you would be saddned if the messsage reached you in any way, i can say that because i have had experience at one of your concert’s.(the one on dec. 26 2006, in Canada) I have never seen sisters dancing or shouting in any manner,(unless if i was the one) and I could not imagine why sisters would even think of doing that because that is where the respect of hijab comes in.
some schollars have mentioned in articles on other sites, that a fine artist’s like you cannot be attacked! Only b/c your music (nasheeds) teach people about the bounties of Islam – and- .
I too am a nasheed fanatic, if i told you how much i cry when reading messages like that, or when listening to people say that your music is haraam – you probably would not believe me. Reading your reply was just soothing. The two albums Al-Mu’allim, and My Ummah are the only songs that keep me going, i don’t know where i would be if there were no nasheeds. Some of them are so peacefull and heart rendering although some others ( in genereal) lead to shirk and missunderstandings. I hope you reply me back as soon as possible. I have some questions regarding 2 of your nasheeds, and would like none other but your opinion on them.
Salams;
Respectfully yours,
rose of madinah!
our scholars differed on the issue of music but the majority view is that it is impermissable if it is beyond pecussion insturments. The voice is not haram unless it is a female being listened to by other men. I heard Sami Yusuf’s stuff and I did not hear anything beyond precussion insturments.
I think both have a point. Muslims cannot mimic Western girls and their behavior at concerts but the artists are not at fault. I think the real culprits are the girls who mimic the Westerners in the aforementioned behavior.
SUBAHANALLAH ABDULLAH YOU COULNT HAVE EXPLAINED IT MORE CLEARY. DONT YOU NOTICE THAT EVERYONE WHO TRY TO JUSTIFY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AS BEING HALAAL HAS NO PROOF??? THAT THEY ONLY TALK IN CIRCLES??? TRYIING TO CHANGE WHAT IS HARAAM INTO WHAT IS HALAAL IS AN INNOVATION. SUBAHANALLAL!!!!!
I have proof:
The hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) allowing HIS WIFE, Aishah (ra) to listen and watch the parade of dancers and music that was in the streets of mecca. They both watched with their cheeks pressed against each other. AND THAT WAS THE KUFFAR who were doing the entertainment.
Sraight up SAHIH DALEEL.
There are many other proofs too that permit and allow music, including when the Prophet (saas) came to Medina with the famous Nasheed “tala badru ‘alayna”, which was played with the duff and the tabla by both men and women.
but the problem is the type of instruments used.
I think i’ll write a whole post on the proofs that allow certain type of music in Islam, that is halal and permissible, inshaAllah.
Why don’t you go pray 2 nafl instead of trying to make the impermissible permissible?
Source please?
I guess its an Asharee thing. j/k
Sami looks weak because he fails to provide evidence. Afterall, he is the one responding to Yvonne’s comments. He is responding to her because he thinks shes wrong for saying what she said. Well, then prove how she is wrong. So far, he has failed.
Ibn Hajar said your idea is weird..
lol
Some of them used the hadeeth about the Abyssinians playing in the mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as evidence that singing is allowed! Al-Bukhaari included this hadeeth in his Saheeh under the heading Baab al-Hiraab wa’l-Daraq Yawm al-‘Eid (Chapter on Spears and Shields on the Day of Eid). Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This indicates that it is permissible to play with weapons and the like in the mosque, and he applied that to other activities connected with jihaad. (Sharh Muslim). But as al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: whoever speaks about something which is not his profession will come up with weird ideas such as these. (taken from Islam QA)
sister gumbo.
Not bad….
I’d like someone to actually point exactly which scholars have declared music to be halal. I can’t even think of one recognized scholar who says music is halal. Allahu Alam. The only “scholar” he even refers to is Dr. Umar who IS NOT a scholar of fiqh.
I think his article is like alot of speeches you hear today. Eloquent and organized but without alot of substance. I agree with many of the posters above that his response was inadequate as to Yvonne’s arguments. The only props I will give to this article is his reprimanding Tvonne for her lack of adab.
Salam,
If everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing, then this subject of listening to music wouldn’t even come up. Too bad we live like civilians and not men. Once we live like civilians, we find a million excuses to not live like men.
Samir
Salam,
In addition to what I said above, if Sami Yusuf and all the other nasheed singers were doing what they were supposed to be doing, then they wouldn’t be known as singers but as men who answered the call of Allah. And what is more noble than Shahada?
Samir
Have you fought in the cause of Allah yet? Otherwise, what you say sounds hypocritical.
What exactly is he SUPPOSED to be doing? And who are we to say who is to do what and when and how? or for that matter, decide what should be done and what not should be done, and where it should be done, who should be involved and why their involvment is necessary? Come to think of it, who are you to dictate? This is what I meant in my previous comments about the muslim attitude of “self-righteousness”: The You- do -it- my- way,- or- u’ll- shrivel- up- in- hell psyche. That sort of attitude is
a)ignorant
b) islamically unacceptable
c) stupid
Go do what you think should be done, but dont impose ur standards on others.
and indeed, the salafis are hating. there have been many scholars who have stated music is permissible including Sh. Shawkani and Ibn Hazm in the past, and Sh. Qaradawi [who salafis hate on too - notice a trend? ] and Al Ghazalli ramhimahullah in the recent times.
Sami doesnt have to justify or bring proof, it’s been said over and over again, but you see, all scholars which disagree with the salafis are not “good enough”, and whats ironic is that some of the “scholars” they esteem highly didnt actually study in a notable islamic institution. anywhoo, thanks for posting MR, I was just emailing it, and checked here to see if you;d had it yet, cos I was sure you’d post it.
g’day
wasalam
Qaradawi lost substance.
Oh my god, what the hell is the world coming to…
I miss Sheikh Zarqawi
and you, being the scholar that you are mashaAllah, would know enough to state that. To back up your claim, Im predicting you’ll use Abu Baseer’s despicable article on Al Qaradawi.
Newsflash: Abu Baseer was a school friend of mine’s dad. and I can tell you, he didnt study in any islamic institute.
He reads alot of books, Ill grant him that, but I read alot of books too, i dont see it as giving me leeway to critisise scholars.
As to the article & the letter – I was talking over this subject just today, and I agree with my friend, most critisism of Sami is due to outright jealousy clothed in the outergarments of “naseeha”.
man, some ppl dont like it, thats cool. i respect that. i like it, cuz im still struggling to stop listening to hip hop.
i mean we all have one common goal, and that is jannah, so you hustle and do wats u gots to do to get there, and let me do wats i gots to do to get there, and inshaAllah we’ll meet up there and party in Club Jannah. ;-D
haha
GQ – i’ll find the source inshaAllah.
Salam.
I say, without this nasheeds singer, we would only listen to a lot more haraam songs. All the nasheed singers have only good intention, insyaAllah. They
have talent, and they use that talent to spread da’wah. It is their way of spreading da’wah. Some people are easy to slow talk about islam, but some are just a hard listener, maybe thru these nasheeds songs, they would at least open their heart towards Islam. U never know how Allah’s give hidayah to people. have u not wonder, how a lot of people are attracted towards Islam just by listening to brother Sami’s nasheed. I saw a lot, take my friend for example. At least, they’ve done their part. Have we do ours? (we, people only know to criticize without doing nothing, me for example….)
http://www.mynaraps.com/music.htm
Take a look at this sites. It explain all about music in islam.
After all, look on the bright side. Yes, true, music is haraam all the way in Islam, but we have to consider what kind of music it is that haraam, it is the one which make us neglect our duty as muslim, the one that make us miss our salah, that’s what mean by the hadith that said music is haraam like drinking alcoholic, because it’s lagha…Music that lead us to nowhere and only fantasy, is certainly, absolutely, haraam. But yet, there’s a music called nasheeds, which we know, is intend to spread da’wah. Think. I rest my case.
Even Al-Farabi, plays music… :p
Wallahua’lam.
MR, you really were quite fast in getting that letter posted on your blog. You posted it on the same date that’s written on the letter.
It hasn’t even come up on google yet.
that’s what huslta’s do, we hustle, hustle realll hard, its a new york thing
hahah
1. Im not a scholar. So please dont call me one.
2. Well, I am and will be more than happy to back up your claims. I WAS going to use that article as ONE of references, but no problem. I can disregard that. I will still give you support for my claims.
3. What do people have to jealous of? lol Seriously, what?
Thats like saying, “Its ok to date. I mean, it will keep you away from whore houses.”
You don’t date GQ? damn man, i feel sorry for ur wife.
Just kidding, hahaha.
No dating. None of that mumbo jumbo.
Women bring problems…atleast in this society.
bring forth your proof, and please let it be from someone who has studied the islamic sciences, not some wannabe scholar ranting.
my addressing of you as scholar was in sarcasm, which you chose to disregard, or maybe didnt get.
and as to why people are jealous of sami?
maybe because for his age, mA he is one of the most successful artists in the muslim world, and yet still is able to maintain his down to earth attitude, and his politeness to all, even if they insult him with the worst kind of insults.
If there;s a dedicated muslim person who strives so hard to live the prophetic traditions in a modern world, it’d have to be him.
May Allah protect his workteam and him, purify their intentions & grant them sincerity ameen.
Women also “bring” babies. Show some respect.
1. Sure will. However, it doesnt take a scholar to point his mistakes. Are you going to call George Bush a Muslim until a scholar says so otherwise? lol Wow.
2. Well dont lie even if you are sarcastic.
3. Snoop dog is a successful artist in this dunya. So what?
4. You are insulting the deen when you equate him with the prophetic traditions.
He may be a good Muslim, I dont know, but Im judging him based on his actions and what I see. So please, leave the prophetic traditions out when talking about him.
Britney Spears is going to bring a baby in this world too. So we respect her and her whorish ways too now? Whats your point?
GQ – you call Zarqawi a Shaykh. Muslims these days only use the word Shaykh for a learned scholar. So don’t use the excuse of shaykh meaning old man. Zarqawi supported the KILLING of Muslims whether they were sunni or shia. He also supported the killing of innocent Muslims whether male or female. If u want proof, go to ur own blog and watch the videos and statements. Zarqawi clearly stated that he is against the Muslims who are with the Iraqi government.
If you take ppl like Zarqawi as your shaykh, then ovbiously your going to hate ppl like Sami Yusuf.
So there is no point for showing proof or for you showing proof.
I am at a point where you got your life and I got mine. And we’ll just leave it at that.
btw Mr_GQ’s beard is the most gangsta’ish beard i have ever seen. hahahahah
LOL
I meant show some respect for women in general. They don’t cause all the problems in the world and a woman gave birth to you. Forget it though, I probably posted without thinking (again).
lol Bro, you just contradicted yourself. Actually, you just proved az-Zarqawi right.
First of all, nowhere did he promote killings of innocent men and women. NOWHERE.
People that were in the Iraqi government were NOT innocent. They are amongst the rest of the tawagheet around the world. Listen to his speech (with transcripts on there) on my blog. You will see/hear for yourself.
One thing I want to ask MR though. You’re Hanafi right? I thought Abu Hanifa said musical instruments were impermissible?
Muslims who join the kuffar to help kill muslim are not muslim. says it right in the quran go pick it up and read it. says whpever joins the kuffar to fight the muslims is one of them. jews in the time of Muhammad(saw) wanted to help fight the pagan arabs at the battle of Uhud, however the prophet turned them down and told them to go away. after they left he explained you are not aloud to fight with non muslims in Jihad, o what are these new iraqi government doing, fighting with the kuffar, murtadeen
Ok, I was wrong for the making my original statement. I should have been more clear and worded it differently.
May Allah forgive me. Ameen
I mean to say that the young girls nowadays that are growing up have this Oprah-like views. I rather stay single than deal with that nonsense.
this conversation is pointless. Allah says no matter how much evidence you show some people they will not believe. Zarqawi was more of a sheikh than half these people in this world. But this isnt aabout zarqawi. Just move on to the next blog, people will never understand
May Allah protect Abdur Rahman and keep him on the straight path. Ameen
For those hating on Sami Yusuf and the music thing… do you have a better alternative for these Muslim youth? If so it’d be nice to hear it.
lol Umm, listen to Quran?
Or lectures on the life of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalam? of the wives of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalam? or his Companions? or major events?
When I realized music was haraam and I just being all talk, I broke my CDs with a hammer and threw them away. In my car, I have Quran CDs.
If I get tempted, I think how I am dissing Allah Subhanawataa’la for my desires.
although im not “hating” on the brother. I am “hating” on music. and a better alternative would be anasheed with only the duff. and after you train yourself never to go back to musical instruments. OCCAIONALLY listen to anasheed with duff. and instead as br. GQ said, listen to Quran, lectures, etc.
wallahu ta’ala alem.
I can think of many things better for the youth than to go to a concert of sami where girls and guys free mix and are bumping eachother and screaming his name, does sami like this attention
also those comedians he takes with them is a disgrace to islam. Talking about blowing themselves joking around about that topic. Picking on their own faith, astagfirullah
once again. muslims bickering. can’t we all just get along???? just agree to disagree on this one.
when in doubt, leave it (meaning err on the safer side). but repect each other too, no matter what.
salaams
Yeah, but whats the doubt? lol
Interesting discussion, didn’t want to have to peddle through all the posts. I mentioned this earlier on maniac muslim, I’ll mention it here, the article was well-written, and I like his adab, but his positions are very open to criticism. There are no daleels allowing or showing music’s permissibility – what you do have is the ijma of all scholars up until the time of ibn hazm soundly considering music to be haraam.
I’ve read Shaykh Qaradawi’s fatwa allowing music, and the idea that the men doing the performance were playing music – in fact, they were not. Nowhere in the hadeeth is it mentioned that musical instruments were played. Beating your spears on the ground need not have any more rhythm than fans clapping at a basketball game (go Miami!).
My 2 cents. I’m here just to steal the article
Siraaj
wow
unbelieveable – 60+ comments of this nonsense
Muslims must learn to learn to AGREE TO DISAGREE, otherwise we’re not ever going to get anywhere.
Dating? Lol, that’s clearly haraam. Can dating be anywhere near for good intention?
Assalamu Alaikom wa Rahmatu’Allahi wa Barakatuhu,
may all of my brothers and sister read this in great health and imaan Ameen.
i have a link from sunnipath.com that may be of interrest inshallah to you all:
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=4199&CATE=142
wa Alaikom Assalam wa Rahmatu’Allahi wa Barakatuhu
Perhaps I should clarify myself… do you have any realistic goals? Will the average laymen Muslim even care to do that? Just because it worked for you doesn’t mean it will work for everyone.
As for nasheeds with a duff… right now there isn’t too many “great” Nasheeds out there. I mean they are good but when compared to Western music the alternative isn’t all that viable. If Islamic music/nasheeds do not step up in quality then Muslims will continue to listen to “Westernized” music.
No offence but I don’t think that’s a good way to look at things. The average layman brother might not wake up and go to the mosque for Fajr. I think we should still encourage them to.
sheikh qardawi is a deviant shaikh, and so if one shaikh is going to allow it your going to listen to him, so you follow the religion of qardawism. Try supporting yourself with evidence instead opf just saying o this deviant man let it. so now its ok for Muslims to free mix and scream samis name
lol Watch people go nuts on you now.
I dont particularly give wieght to the statements of people like you who have no better use of their time than to insult scholars who they dont agree with.
Bring your evidence from a scholar that he’s a devient, the only “evidence” we’ve seen so far is from your overlarge mouths and the rantings of a wannabe scholar.
OMG 72 comments!
can each one of you click the ads on my site! Thanks!!! hahahaha
agreed.
LEAVE THE JUDGING TO ALLAH.
yup. do i have a fist full length beard. nope. do i pray asr’ every day the hanafi standard time, nope.
i can say im 85% hanafi. not 100%.
Final rant on Sami Yusuf, Music and Islam:
Everyone, and I mean everyone that has posted a comment for this post has listen to haram music. No I’m not talking about your-opinion-haram-music, I’m talking about the Jay Z, Sean Paul, Bollywood, Reggeaton, Daddy Yankee, Bob Marley, Celene Dion, haram type of music.
Muslims are so easy to condemn and write articles against other Muslims nasheed artists (yes I’m shouting out Yvonne Ridley) when there is a larger problem amongst the Muslim youth, INCLUDING MYSELF.
I know for a fact that there are some people that commented on this post that said Sami Yusuf’s Music is haram, still listen to haram hip hop music whenever they drive around in their car. (I won’t shout you out.)
Okay fine, you say Sami Yusuf’s music is haram. Thanks. It helps many Muslims slowly move away from the haram (BET, MTV, VH1, MuchMusic) tunes that’s out there.
Let’s be real. If you ask any convert, did they suddenly start to pray 5 times a day, abstain from alocohol, pork, haram meat, fornication. Maybe some aspects were sudden, but it was still a gradual growth.
Many of us have only recently came back to Islam from our ‘jahil days in high school or college’. Now we have the nerve to condemen Sami Yusuf’s music forbidden, when many of us use to listen to worse things back in the day.
We need to understand that the Day of Judgement is getting closer and that humanity is completely going insane and crazy. The Muslim youth are getting lost away in the public high schools and colleges. Most of you know this and see this, because most of you are in those environments. You know the deal. No matter how many lecture CDs or Quranic recitation CDs, many Muslim youngsters still won’t change. They need that beat. Native Deen, Outlandish, Sami Yusuf, Mesut Kurtis, Raihan, Aa’shiq al-Rasul, and the many Muslim artists out there bring those beats to create a bridge from the haram pop-culture to the Islamic lifestyle.
Without that bridge, you can’t just jump over.
So before you condmen Sami Yusuf or any other Muslim Nasheed artist, think about YOUR past, because YOU were never 100% halal.
May Allah (swt) forgive us of our sins and increase us in our good deeds. Ameen!
Ma’salama
-MR
i never listen to hip hop or other music-but i do listen to Nasheeds sometimes(when im too tired to pay attention to lecture/recitation in train)- however, i do believe that we should try to avoid it as much as possible- cuz regardless of whether its haram or halal..its still doubtful and there is a sahih hadith where prophet said that you should avoid doubtful matters in order to be a Maumin(if u want to remain a Muslim for rest of ur life then thats a choice you make)and why wouldnt we want to a maumin and then a muhsin?(cuz none of us would ever think twice b4 getting PHD’ and masters cuz thats promotion in duniya)
Finally,
MR got the best point out of all. (Cuz i thought he would leave this just like that).
U have my vote.
Salam.
Nice post MR and I agree with you.
Listen to “Ya Mustafa” by Sami Yusuf, and can you really say that you think this nasheed is haraam.
So many youth listen to bhangra/bollywood/and anything else in the charts. Isn’t it infinitely better that they listen to “Allahu” and “Ya Mustafa”?
I’m sure Sami Yusuf has got far more people to stop listening to the charts music than those that are criticising him.
I say, if there weren’t nasheed artists like Sami Yusuf, there would be more Muslims tuning into the charts. Which option do you prefer?
SubhanAllah! I have to give you madddd propz for never listening to haram music man! Wallahi, there are very few Muslim youth who haven’t in the entirety of their young lives.
MashaAllah to you
The doubtful thing is true.
First, I’d like to say respect to MR – you’ve got way more adab than me. And yeh, I used the bridge after I reverted (all music -> clean lyrics -> percussion only -> nasheeds only). By the time I got to the other end though, it wasn’t worth listening to anymore. I mean, I could spend a while listening to Dizzee Rascal but how long can you really spend listening to nasheeds?
P.S. I’m pretty sure people will cross the bridge the other way as well.
lol People, I will post up evidence which proves peoples point when they say Qaradawi is a deviant. I will post it on my blog soon, Insha’Allah.
Watch, even then people will still follow him blindly. They will never be satisfied.
Oh and people, we judge by the apparent.
you can always count on this topic to get people going! it’ll never end
So you’re Hanafi except when you want to follow your nafs?
Great.
No. I’m Muslim, but I take most of my fiqh from the Hanafi Madhab.
And the rest from Fiqh of Nafs?
Nah, the salafi way…
Just be careful otherwise Jinnzaman and the whole sunni forums will gang up on you for becoming Salafi.
I’d rather have them come after me then salafis comin after me, cuz then I’d just be dead with biddahs, shirks, and kufr’s.
There is so much ignorance in these comments. First of all the individuals who say Music is haraam are the ones who must present their evidences and try to convince everyone else because everything is halal except for what is haraam (principle of usul ul fiqh). Secondly for those who can’t fathom why after presenting their evidences others continue to listen to and promote music (beyond the Dhaff).. my only answer is that they are not convinced. And at that point you have done your job anyway so why stress it? Leave it at that.
I do think Muslim organizations should take a stand where they allow some forms of entertainment at their conventions and whatnot but limit to the Dhaff and vocal cords because we need to make sure we are not offending other Muslims while remaining consious of our limits because transgressing our limits may incur other than Allah’s pleasure, which we don’t want!
Btw I am personally not convinced with the arguments that ALL music is haraam. That does not mean that I indulge in listening to music on a frequent basis. It also does not mean that I don’t have my doubts. But it does mean that I have seen alot of weak arguments thrown out there and they simply are not convincing, esp to a decisive degree. About Sami Yusufs latest CD: I also prefer the percussion album vs. the music one, although the percussion one STILL seemed to have alot of instruments on it in some of the songs. But we should appreciate that they tried to create an acceptable version for mainstream practising Muslims.
Salaam alaykum Azeem,
There is no doubt that music is haraam:
http://siraaj.wordpress.com/2006/06/19/the-ruling-on-music/
In the above link, I’ve quoted from numerous fatwa sites, the majority of whom say it is indeed haraam, and they take a hard stance on it (the exception being islamonline, I’ve posted their fatwa as well). And for you sunnipathers, I’ve posted the fatwa there as well. Skip the article I wrote and go down a bit – you’ll see links to numerous fatwa sites which bash and destroy the idea that music is halaal. I especially liked Adam al-Kauthari’s explanation added to the mix
Siraaj
MR, I posted this on my blog, I’ll post it here for you as well. You very obviously did not read all of Adam al-Kauthari’s fatwa, so here’s the part you missed:
“However, songs that are free from such unlawful things and they consist of descriptions of the natural things, such as flowers and streams, etc… will be permissible. Yes, if they are accompanied by musical instruments, then it will be unlawful even if the song is full of advice and wisdom, not because of what the songs consist of, rather due to the musical instruments that are played with it.”
READ IT AGAIN, IN FULL, CAREFULLY:
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1786&CATE=142
As for Mufti Ibrahim Desai, you again are very selective in your reading and understanding. Look at what he has said:
Mufti Ebrahim Desi of AskImam.com also said: “1. Every type of music and musical instruments are prohibited. You may only listen to Nasheeds and naats THAT DO NOT HAVE ANY FORM OF MUSIC in them. You should concentrate on the words and contents of the Naats to increase your faith. It increases emotions. There are many other ways established in the Shari’ah to increase one’s faith (Imaan). â€
Emphasis on the word “ANY”. That removes all nasheeds that contain music. Nasheeds with singing that have no music and clean lyrics are the only ones allowed.
Don’t read so selectively.
Siraaj
Since the birth of Islam the permissibility of music and singing has been debated. Not only the lawfulness of the performer but also of the audience was discussed. Advocates and opponents alike traced the legitimacy of their position back to the Quran and the hadiths, the sayings of the Prophet. As in present day Egypt, these debates on the lawfulness of music did not prevent the art from flourishing in palaces and private homes (Sawa 1989; Stigelbauer 1975).
The seventeenth-century Muslim scholar Shalabi distinguishes three categories of music: that coming from birds, from the human throat and from instruments. He states that in Islam it is permissible to listen to the melodies produced by birds, and to those produced by the human throat, subject to certain conditions and rules. To listen to instruments that are blown or struck however, is never permissible (1957: 38). Certain instruments are forbidden because they are supposed to incite drinking. The kuba, an oblong drum, for instance, is prohibited because of its association with drinking wine, licentious songs and dissolute people. With respect to the human throat, if it produces songs about wine and debauchery, it is not permissible to listen to them (ibid.: 39).
According to the ethnomusicologist Al-Faruqi, religious opinion makes a hierarchy of music and singing in forbidden, unfavored, indifferent, recommended and commendable forms. The recitation of the Quran stands at the peak of the hierarchy, immediately followed by the call to prayer and religious chants. Also legitimate are various types of songs connected to family celebrations, caravan chants, work songs and the music of military bands. At the bottom of the hierarchy, we find “sensuous music that is performed in association with condemned activities, or that is thought to incite to such prohibited practices as consumption of drugs and alcohol, lust, prostitution etc.” (1985: 12). These genres are clearly forbidden, haram. Most forms of music and singing, though, fall between these clear categories and are controversial (Al-Faruqi 1985: 1-13).
The approval or disapproval of performers is not only related to the genre but also to the context of the performance. Regarding the permissibility of the context, three elements are deemed important by the eleventh-century Muslim scholar Imam al-Ghazali, that is, time, place and associates. It is not acceptable if too much time is devoted to performances so that it interferes with the higher Islamic goals and distracts the believers’ attention from the devotion to God. Full-time professional performers are accordingly less acceptable than non-professional amateurs. The acceptability of the place and occasion of the performance is also an important factor in judging the legitimacy of the entertainers and their public. Lastly, the type of people present during the performance affects the permissibility of the performers and their audience. A certain genre of music can thus be permissible in one context while it is rejected in another circumstance. Playing the tambourine is, for instance, acceptable if it is done by women at a wedding but forbidden if it is done by men in contexts of homosexuality or prostitution (Al-Faruqi 1985: 17-20; al-Ghazali 1902: 1).
Upper-Egyptian musicians playing
at a wedding procession
Religious discussions on dancing are less detailed and mainly deal with the nature of ecstatic states of mind. According to al-Ghazali, proper conduct during ecstasy and trance is also bound by the rules of time, place and company. Besides, if ecstacy overcomes a person and makes the person move without volition, it is excusable. Yet, when volition returns, stillness and restraint is preferred. The general rule is that: “If the pleasure which causes dancing is praiseworthy, and the dancing increases and strengthens it, then the dancing is praiseworthy (…).
Yet it is true that the practice of dancing does not befit the station of notable people who set an example, because most of the time, it springs from play and sport (…)” (al-Ghazali 1902: 9). We should keep in mind though that al-Ghazali discusses male ecstacy dancing in a religious setting and not female dancing in a secular context.
Although the impact of gender on the acceptability of performers has not received systematic attention, it is a crucial factor in the debates outlined above. A well-known phrase often cited to discredit female singers, is “sawt al-mar’a `awra,” “the voice of a woman is a shameful thing” (1).
Imam al-Ghazali explains this as follows. Music is allowed except if temptation is feared. The voice of women could seduce the listener. Looking at female performers is always unlawful. Listening to the voice of concealed female performers is still forbidden if it evokes tempting images. He continues reasoning that looking at a beardless boy is only forbidden if there is a danger for temptation. He then likens the lawfulness of listening to a concealed female singers to looking at a beardless young boy. The rule which must be followed, then, relates to the arousal of temptation, and if this is feared, it is unlawful (1901: 235-237).
Women are thus generally perceived as more enticing than men and excitement aroused by looking is considered more powerful than excitement aroused by listening. These observations have consequences for the lawfulness of the different forms of male and female performances. Female performances are more controversial and their acceptability depends on male experience of arousal. The fact that male excitement is most strongly aroused by the eye rather than the ear also affects the various categories of female performers. Female musicians have an audience. Female singers have an audience and, at least at present, spectators. Female dancers, on the other hand, are solely eye-catchers. Female dancing is accordingly considered the most shameful form of entertainment.
In order to understand the Islamic fundamentalist views on art and entertainment we cannot solely rely on the opinion of Muslim scholars of the eleventh or seventeenth century, but should also look into recent religious opinion leaders. According to the late Sheikh al-Azhar Shaltut, who wrote a fatwa (a formal ruling or opinion) on the issue in 1960, music is permissible under certain conditions. He argues that God is not against pleasure and that Islam seeks the Golden Means. Yet, it should not take place under immoral circumstances or with dissolute companions (Al-Faruqi 1985: 25-26). The Muslim scholar al-Qaradawi states that singing and music in itself is permissible and pleasurable. He places several restrictions on them though. The content of the song should not be against the morals and teachings of Islam or be accompanied by other forbidden things in Islam like alcohol. Also the way of singing should be within the confines of Islam, that is, it should not be accompanied by suggestive movements. Exaggeration is never preferable but certainly not in entertainment and the person who knows that entertainment easily excites him or her should keep away from it (Qaradawi 1985: 139; 289). During my research, the leading television preacher Sheikh Mitwalli al-Sha`arawi, stated that all female dancing is bad and that only music which does not “tickle the nerves” is permissible (The Economist 21-5-1988).
Most forms and contexts of art and entertainment in present-day Egypt are thus either controversial or forbidden, particularly for women as performers. So, although the Islamic fundamentalsts are the ones who actively try to abolish art and entertainment, their views on the unlawfulness of art and entertainment, especially for women, are shared by conservative and orthodox Muslim scholars as well. Why, then, are the voice and body of women considered forbidden things in Islam?
Fatwa on Music, Muscians and Shari’ah by Mahmud Shaltut, the late Shaykh of
Al-Azhar
[Shaykh Mahmud Shaltut (1960) was the rector of Al-Azhar University,
probably the most prestigious academic religious institution in the
contemporary Muslim world and a jurist by profession]
The fatwa was written in response to a letter of enquiry about the very
subject of this paper. The fatwa appeared in a collection of legal rulings
by Shaltut on various religious, economic, political and social questions.
After lamenting on the lack of consensus on this issue through centuries,
the author repeats the oft-stated conditional approval of music, basing his
approval on the following four arguments.
First, he maintains that listening to or performing music, like tasting
delicious foods, feeling soft cloths, smelling pleasant odours, seeing
beautiful sights, or achieving knowledge of the unknown, are all instinctive
pleasures with which God has endowed man. They all have the effect of
calming when one is disturbed, of relaxing when one is tired, of refreshment
in mental or physical exhaustion and of rekindling the participant with
energy. God, Shaykh Shaltut argues, has created these instincts in human
beings for a good purpose, and therefore it may even be impossible for them
to perform their duties in this life without the aid of such instincts and
pleasures which help them reach their goals. He concludes that it is
therefore impossible that the Shari’ah be against these instincts and
pleasures. Instead the law has for purpose the disciplining of the instincts
for pleasure and the channelling of their use so that they can work
constructively together to achieve higher moral ends.
His Second argument is that the Shari’ah, as well as the Qur’an on which it
is based, seeks the Golden Mean, thus preventing from exaggeration either on
the side of no-use, or over-use of music.
Thirdly, he turns to the arguments of his predecessors, the jurists who have
given opinions on sama’ or “listening”. He summarises that they permitted
music whenever it had a suitable context, as it does when used as
accompaniment for war, the hajj, weddings and eid celebrations. He follows
this with reference to a work by Shaykh Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulusi
(1641-1731). In a work by that 17th century jurist of the Hanafi madhhab,
its author argues that almost every prohibition (tahrim) of musiqa in the
hadith literature is coupled with or conditioned by the mention of alcohol,
signing girls, dissoluteness (fusuq) or adultery. Both Shaltut and
al-Nabulusi therefore feel that the prohibition is based on the context and
associations, and is not a reaction against the music itself. The Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) and many respected Muslims of the early period of Islamic
history have indeed listened to music and attended sessions of innocent
performance. Therefore, he concludes, as did many of his predecessors, that
the prohibition does not result from condemnation of music per se, but from
its use under the wrong circumstances or with morally debilitating
associations.
The Fourth and closing point made in Shaykh Shaltut’s fatwa on music repeats
Qur’anic argument also used by earlier protagonists of the use of musiqa
(al-Ghazali). Here the jurist cautions against the reckless forbidding of
what God did not forbid. Such false attributions to God, which he condemns
as slander and falsehood (iftira), are countered by Surah Al-A’raf, verse
32-33
[32, Say: Who is there to forbid the beauty which God has brought forth for
His creatures, and the good things among the means of sustenance?" Say:
"They are lawful in the life of this world unto all who have attained to
faith - to be theirs alone on resurrection Day." Thus clearly do We spell
out these messages unto people of innate knowledge! 33, Say: "Verily, my
Sustainer has forbidden only shameful deeds, be they open or secret, and
every kind of sinning and unjustified envy, and the ascribing of divinity to
aught beside Him - since He has never bestowed any warrant therefore from on
high - and the attributing unto God of aught of which you have no
knowledge].
Shaykh Shaltut thus concludes that the general rule is that music is
permissible; its prohibition is the accident or exception caused by improper
usage.
An excerpt from the fatwa on Sunnipath:
Ruling on musical instruments and unlawful singing
In the light of the evidences that will be mentioned later, the following are unlawful in Shariah:
a) Musical instruments that are exclusively designed for entertainment and dancing, and create charm, pleasure and bliss on their own (even without the singing), such as the drum, violin, guitar, fiddle, flute, lute, mandolin, harmonium, piano, string, etc… are impermissible to use under any circumstance.
There is a consensus of the whole Ummah on this. Since the first century, the Companions (sahaba), their followers (tabi’een), jurists (fuqaha) and the scholars have been generally unanimous on this ruling.
b) Singing that is a cause for a sin is also unlawful with the consensus of all the scholars, such as songs that prevent one from the obligatory (fard & wajib).
c) Any singing that is accompanied by other sins, such as songs that consist of unlawful, immoral, and sexual themes, or it is sang by non-Mahram women, etc will also be unlawful. This ruling is also with the consensus of all the scholars.
Evidences
There are numerous evidences in the Qur’an and Sunnah which support this view. We will attempt to look at a few:
1) Allah Most High says:
“And there are among men, those that purchase idle tales, to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and throw ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment†(Surah Luqman, V. 6).
The great Companion Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) states in the explanation of the word “idle talesâ€:
“By Allah its meaning is music†(Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/223 & authenticated by al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, 2/411).
Imam Ibn Abi Shayba related with his own transmission that He (Ibn Mas’ud) said:
“I swear By Him besides whom there is no God that it refers to singing†(132/5).
The great Companion and exegete of the Qur’an, Abd Allah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) states:
“The meaning of the word is music, singing and the like†(Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/221& Musannaf Ibn abi Shayba, 132/5).
He also stated:
“Music and the purchase of female singers†(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, 132/5).
Hasan al-Basri (Allah be pleased with him) said:
“This verse was revealed in relation to singing and musical instruments†(Tafsir ibn Kathir, 3/442)
The same explanation has also been narrated from Mujahid, Ikrima, Ibrahim Nakha’i, Mak’hul and others (Allah be pleased with them all).
The above verse of the Qur’an, along with the statements regarding its meaning is clear in the prohibition of music. It also serves as a severe warning for those who are involved in the trade of music in any way, shape or form, as Allah warned them of “Humiliating punishmentâ€.
As for those that say, the verse refers to things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah and not music, do not contradict the aforementioned explanation. The interpretation of the verse with “things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah†is a more general interpretation which includes music and song, as one of the foremost things that stop you from the remembrance of Allah is music. This is the reason why the majority of the exegetes of the Qur’an have interpreted the verse with music only, or with all those acts that prevent one from the truth with music being at the forefront.
2) Allah Most High says whilst describing the attributes of the servants of the Most Compassionate (ibad al-Rahman):
“Those who witness no falsehood, and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable avoidance†(Surah al-Furqan, V. 72).
Imam Abu Bakr al-Jassas relates from Sayyiduna Imam Abu Hanifah (Allah be pleased with him) that the meaning of “falsehood (zur)†is music & song, (Ahkam al-Qur’an, 3/428).
3) Allah Most High said to Shaytan:
“Lead to destruction those whom you can among them with your (seductive) voice†(Surah al-Isra, V.64).
One of the great exegete, Mujahid (Allah have mercy on him) interpreted the word “voice (sawt)†by music, singing, dancing and idle things. (Ruh al-Ma’ani, 15/111).
Imam Suyuti (Allah have mercy on him) quoted Mujahid as saying: “Voice (in this verse) is singing and flute†(al-Iklil fi istinbat al-tanzil, 1444).
Another exegete, Dahhak (Allah have mercy on him) also interpreted the word “Sawt†with flutes. (Qurtubi, al-Jami` li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 10/288).
Here also, a general interpretation can be given, as indeed some commentators of the Qur ‘ an have done, but this, as mentioned earlier, does not contradict the meaning given by Mujahid and Dahhak, as it is included in the more broad and general meaning.
Guidance of the Messenger of Allah
(Allah bless him & give him peace)
The are many Ahadith of the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) which prohibit music and the usage of musical instruments to the extent that some scholars have gathered approximately forty Ahadith, of which the chain of transmission of some is sound (sahih), some good (hasan) and some weak (da’if). We will only mention a few here:
1) Sayyiduna Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) reports that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) say: “There will appear people in my Ummah, who will hold adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments to be lawful†(Sahih al-Bukhari)
2) Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) narrates a similar type of Hadith, but a different wording. He reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Soon there will be people from my Ummah who will consume alcohol, they will change its name (by regarding it permissible. m), on there heads will be instruments of music and singing. Allah will make the ground swallow them up, and turn them into monkeys and swine†(Sahih Ibn Hibban & Sunan Ibn Majah, with a sound chain of narration).
In the above two narrations, the word ma`azif is used. The scholars of the Arabic language are unanimous on the fact that it refers to musical instruments (Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, V.9, P.189).
The prohibition of musical instruments is clear in the two narrations. The first Hadith (recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari) mentions that certain people from the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) will try to justify the permissibility of using musical instruments, along with adultery, silk and alcohol, despite these things being unlawful (haram) in Shariah.
Moreover, by mentioning music with the likes of adultery and alcohol just shows how severe the sin is. The one who attempts to permit music is similar to the one who permits alcohol or adultery.
The second Hadith describes the fate of such people in that the ground will be ordered to swallow them and they will be turned into monkeys and swine (may Allah save us all). The warning is specific to those that will hold music, alcohol, silk and adultery to be permissible. It is something that should be of concern for those who try and justify any of these things.
Also, to say that music will only be unlawful if it is in combination with alcohol, adultery and silk is incorrect. If this was the case, then why is it that the exception is only for music from the four things? The same could also be said for adultery, alcohol and silk. One may then even justify that alcohol and adultery is also permissible unless if they are consumed in combination with the other things!
Thus the above two narrations of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) are clear proof on the impermissibility of music and songs.
3) Imran ibn Husain (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “This Ummah will experience the swallowing up of some people by the earth, metamorphosis of some into animals, and being rained upon with stonesâ€. A man from amongst the Muslims asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When will this be?†He said: “When female singers and musical instruments appear and alcohol will (commonly) be consumed†(Recorded by Imam Tirmizi, Imam Ibn Majah in their respective Sunan collections, and the wording here is of Sunan Tirmizi).
4) Sayyiduna Ali ibn Talib (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “When my Ummah begin doing fifteen things, they will be inflicted with tribulations, and (from those 15 things He said): “When female singers and musical instruments become common†(Sunan Tirmizi).
5) Na’fi reports that once Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them both) heard the sound of a Sheppard’s flute. He put his fingers in his ears, turned his mule away from the road and said: “O Nafi’! Can you hear? I (Nafi’) replied with the affirmative. He carried on walking (with his fingers in his ears) until I said: “the sound has ceased†He removed his fingers from his ears, came back on to the road and said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) doing the same when he heard the flute of the Sheppard†(Recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and Abu Dawud & Ibn Majah in their Sunans).
6) Abd Allah Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Verily Allah has forbidden alcohol, gambling, drum and guitar, and every intoxicant is haram†(Musnad Ahmad & Sunan Abu Dawud).
7) Abu Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “Allah Mighty and Majestic sent me as a guidance and mercy to believers and commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affairs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance†(Musnad Ahmad & Abu Dawud Tayalisi).
8) Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Song makes hypocrisy grow in the heart as water does herbage†(Sunan al-Bayhaqi).
9) Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “On the day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress†(Recorded by Ibn Asakir & Ibn al-Misri).
10)Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Bell is the flute of Shaytan†(Sahih Muslim & Sunan Abu Dawud).
There are many more narrations of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) in prohibition of musical instruments and unlawful singing. I have merely mentioned a few as an example.
The imam of the Shafi`i school, Imam Ibn Hajr al-Haytami gathered all these Ahadith which approximately total to forty in his excellent work ‘ Kaff al-Ra’a an Muharramat al-Lahw wa al-Sama’ , and then said: “All of this is explicit and compelling textual evidence that musical instruments of all types are unlawful†(2/270).
Statements of the Fuqaha
The great Hanafi jurist al-Kasani states:
“If a singer gathers people around him only to entertain them with his voice, then he will not be considered a upright person (a’dil), even though if he does not consume alcohol, as he will be considered the leader of sinners. If however, he only sings to himself in order to eradicate loneliness, then there is nothing wrong in doing so.
As far as the one who uses musical instruments is concerned, if the instruments themselves are not unlawful, such as the bamboo and tambourine, then there is nothing wrong with that and he will still be considered upright. However, if the instrument is unlawful, such as the lute and the like, then he will not be considered a upright person (to be a witness in the court. m), as these instruments can never be considered lawful†(Bada’i al-Sana’i, 6/269).
It is stated in Khulasat al-Fatawa:
“Listening to the sound of musical instruments is unlawful (haram), as the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Listening to songs is a sin†(4/345).
Ibn Humam, the great Hanafi Mujtahid makes a decisive statement in his famous Fath al-Qadir:
“Unlawful (haram) singing is when the theme of the song consists of unlawful things, such as the description of a particular living person’s beauty and features, the virtues of wine that provoke wine-drinking, the details and particulars of family affairs or those songs that mock and ridicule others.
However, songs that are free from such unlawful things and they consist of descriptions of the natural things, such as flowers and streams, etc… will be permissible. Yes, if they are accompanied by musical instruments, then it will be unlawful even if the song is full of advice and wisdom, not because of what the songs consist of, rather due to the musical instruments that are played with it.
And it is stated in the al-Mugni of Ibn Qudamah (Hanbali Madhhab) that musical instruments are of two types:
1) Unlawful, Such as those that are specially designed for entertainment and singing, like the flute and mandolin, etc…
2) Lawful, like the playing of the tambourine (daff) at weddings and other happy occasions†(Ibn Humam, Fath al-Qadir, 6/36).
The same has more or less been mentioned in the other Hanafi works also, such as al-Ikhtiyar, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya and others.
Imam an-Nawawi, the great Hadith and Shafi’i scholar states:
“It is unlawful to use or listen to musical instruments, such as, those which the drinkers are known for, like the mandolin, lute, cymbals, and flute. It is permissible to play the tambourine (daf) at weddings, circumcisions and other times, even if it has bells on its sides. Beating the Kuba, a long drum with a narrow middle, is also unlawful†(Mugni al-muhtaj, 4/429, & Reliance of the traveller, 775).
There are many other statements of the Fuqaha and scholars such al-Qurtubi, and each of the four Madhhabs, but due to the length of the article, I will suffice with the above.
As for those who hold music to be lawful usually present the Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari in which two girls were singing in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her).
However, the permissibility of music can not be justified with this Hadith. The Hadith expert, Ibn Hajr al-Asqalani has refuted this claim in length in his Fath al-Bari, 2/345).
Firstly, theses young girls were singing without any unlawful musical instruments and secondly, the content of the song was regarding war, thus perfectly lawful. Also, they were not professional singers as the words of the Hadith clearly indicate.
Some try to justify music with the Hadith in which the permissibility of playing the tambourine (daf) is mentioned.
However, as stated in the works of the Fuqaha, to play the tambourine is permissible at weddings, as it is not designed for sole entertainment and pleasure, rather for announcement, etc…
Conclusion
In the light of the above evidences from the Qur’an, sayings of our beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) and texts of the various Fuqaha, the following is the decisive ruling with regards to music:
Musical instruments that are solely designed for entertainment are unlawful, with or without singing. However, to play the tambourine (daf) at weddings (and other occasions according to some fuqaha) will be permissible.
As far as the songs are concerned, if they consist of anything that is unlawful or they prevent one from the obligatory duties, then they will be unlawful. However, if they are free from the abovementioned things (and they are not accompanied by instruments), then it will be permissible to sing them.
And Allah Knows best
Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari, UK
I wonder if the TV was around what would the scholars say as it contains more than music…
I definitly seen people miss prayer due to watching tv than lissening to music…
It hapopend to me…Astagfirullah.
I think we all need to focu on attcking tv more than music…
Wallahu Alam
Yeh, well Azhar believe “The Shi’a is a school of thought that is religiously correct to follow in worship as are other Sunni schools of thought.”
Sister, I totally agree with you. Staying away from the TV is a great thing, if you can do it. In my home, we didn’t buy a TV because my wife and I both knew we’d be sitting and watching it all day and night, and there are better things to do with our lives than that.
bismillah
assalamu alaikum
exactly where does it say in Islam that we should be loyal to our religion AND country? I know it says religion, but where does it say country? Or is Sami making up his own shariah now?
As for the police, what would the Muslim police do? protect what law? Let us assume for a moment that like France, the UK passed a law banning hijab in schools. Would a Muslim police arrest our sisters for wearing a hijab? This is exactly why Muslims should not join the police force in a non-Muslim country, because they will then be protecting and promoting non-Islamic laws. It is one thing to try and live your life under an un-Islamic regime, it is a completely other thing to protect and promote it.
My image of Sami Yusuf went even lower after reading his letter. He’s a sly snake if I’ve ever seen one.
astaghfurullah, traitors like him really make me sick.
wassalam
amir, alot of ur readers are herbs
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=686&CATE=115
also from sunnipath
it says you can’t condemn those who use intruments, since there is a difference of opinion.
a lot of them think they are sinless and think they are scholars of islam.
bunch of salafis
i bet there parents would give them a good slap for some of the things they say.
so if your not proud of wherever you live, move out of that place. you can’t live in a place, you don’t like.
i like america. im proud to be an american. even though we got a stupid president and a messed up government. new york is a great place. and half the country doesn’t like the government and more then half dont like bush, but we’re all still proud americans.
Islam says we should be respectful to where we live, especially when we are living under non-Muslim rule. if your not happy in the country you live in, then get out of that country.
The Prohibition of Nationalism in Islam
Nationalism is a concept alien to Islam because it calls for unity based on family and tribalistic ties, whereas Islam binds people together on the `Aqeedah, that is belief in Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saaw). Islam calls for the ideological bond.
Grouping the Muslims on tribalistic lines is clearly forbidden. It is
narrated by Abu Da’wud that the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said,
“He is not one us who calls for `Asabiyyah, (nationalism/tribalism) or who fights for `Asabiyyah or who dies for `Asabiyyah.”
And in another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (saaw) referring to
nationalism, racism, and patriotism said:
“Leave it, it is rotten.” [Muslim and Bukhari] and in the Hadith recorded in Mishkat al-Masabith, the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said,
“He who calls for `Asabiyyah is as if he bit his father’s genitals”
Also, the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said, narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud,
“There are indeed people who boast of their dead ancestors; but in the sight of Allah they are more contemptible than the black beetle that rolls a piece of dung with its nose. Behold, Allah has removed from you the arrogance of the Time of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) with its boast of ancestral glories. Man is but an Allah-fearing believer or an unfortunate sinner. All people are the children of Adam, and Adam was created out of dust.”
Also, the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said,
“Undoubtedly Allah has removed from you the pride of arrogance of the age of Jahilliyah (ignorance) and the glorification of ancestors. Now people are of two kinds. Either believers who are aware or transgressors who do wrong. You are all the children of Adam and Adam was made of clay. People should give up their pride in nations because that is a coal from the coals of Hell-fire. If they do not give this up Allah (swt) will consider them lower than the lowly worm which pushes itself through Khara (dung).” [Abu Dawud
and Tirmidhi]
There are many examples in the Seerah where the Messenger of Allah (saaw) had rebuked those who upheld nationalism. One one occasion a party of Jews conspired to bring about disunity in the ranks of the Muslims after seeing the Aus and Khazraj within Islam. A youth from amongst them was sent to incite remembrance of the battle of Bu’ath where the Aus had been victorious over the Khazraj, and he recited poetry to bring about division between them. As a result there was a call to arms.
When the news reached the Messenger of Allah (saaw), he (saaw) said,
“O Muslims, remember Allah, remember Allah. Will you act as pagans while I am present with you after Allah has guided you to Islam, and honored you thereby and made a clean break with paganism; delivered you thereby from disbelief; and made you friends thereby?”
When they heard this they wept, and embraced each other. This incident clearly highlights how the Messenger of Allah (saaw) rebuked any forms of tribalism. Allah (swt) then revealed,
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam with complete submission to Allah. And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah (i.e. Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favors on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace you became brothers; and you were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah make His signs clear to you that you may be guided.”
[Surah Al'Imran (3); ayah 102-103]
It is narrated by Qatada that Ibnu Abi Hathim said that in the verses quoted above Allah (swt) has ordered the Muslims to hold fast to the book of Allah, His Deen, and to his covenant, and He has forbidden the Muslims to divide amongst themselves and to dispute with each other.
In another incident, Jabir ibn `Abd Allah al Ansari, narrated what happened at the watering place of al Muraysi which led to the Munafiqun stirring up the traces of `Asabiyyah and seeking to destroy the unity of the Muslims. He said:
“We were on a raid when one of the Muhajirun kicked one of the Ansar.
The Ansar said, `O Ansar! Help me! (calling his tribe) and the Muhajir said,
`O Muhajirun! Help me! (calling his tribe). The Messenger of Allah (saaw)heard them and said, “Why are you stirring up something which belongs to Jahilliyah?”
The Messenger of Allah (saaw) did not deal with the situation only by speaking to his men, but he walked with the men all that day until nightfall, and through the night until morning and during the following day until the sun distressed them. Then he halted them, and as soon as they touched the ground, they fell asleep. He did this to distract their minds from what had transpired.
It is transmitted by at-Tabarani and al-Hakim that in one incident some people spoke very lowly about Salman al-Farsi. They spoke of the inferiority of the Persian in relation to the Arabs, and upon hearing this the Messenger of Allah (saaw) declared,
“Salman is from us, the ahl al-bayt (the Prophet’s family).”
This statement of the Messenger of Allah (saaw) disassociates all links based on lineage and tribal considerations.
It was also transmitted, in two different versions, by Ibn al-Mubarak in his two books, Al-Birr and As-Salah, that some disagreement occurred between Abu Dharr and Bilal and Abu Dharr said to Bilal, “You son of a black woman.” The Messenger of Allah (saaw) was extremely upset by Abu Dharr’s comment, so he
(saaw) rebuked him by saying,
“That is too much, Abu Dharr. He who has a white mother has no advantage which makes him better than the son of a black mother.”
This rebuke had a profound effect on Abu Dharr, who then put his head on the ground swearing that he would not raise it until Bilal had put his foot over it.
These incidents demonstrate that tribal ties have no place in Islam. Muslims are commanded to stick together and not to disassociate themselves from each other just because they come from different tribes. The Messenger of Allah
(saaw) also said,
“The believers, in their love, mutual kindness, and close ties, are like one body; when any part complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Muslim],
“The faithful are like one man: if his eyes suffers, his whole body
suffers.” [Muslim],
“An Arab is no better than a non-Arab. In return, a non-Arab is no better than an Arab. A red raced man was not better than a black one except in piety. Mankind are all Adam’s children and Adam was created out of clay.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Abu Musa]
Meaning that the Muslims, whether they are of Chinese, African, European or Asian origin, are one Ummah and they cannot be separated from each other. No tribalistic ties should ever break their unity.
Furthermore, Allah (swt), says,
The Faithful are but brothers…” [Surah Al-Hujurat (49): ayah 10]
And the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said,
“The Faithful are to one another like [parts of] a building – each part strengthening the others” and “Every Muslim is a brother to a Muslim, neither wronging him nor allowing him to be wronged. And if anyone helps his brother in need, Allah will help him in his own need; and if anyone removes a calamity from [another] Muslim,
Allah will remove from him some of the calamities of the Day of
Resurrection; and if anyone shields [another] Muslim from disgrace, Allah will shield him from the disgrace on the Day of Resurrection.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of `Abd Allah ibn `Umar]
Some people claim that the Messenger of Allah (saaw) approved of nationalism because during the migration to Madinah, he (saaw) said about Makkah with tears in his (saaw) eyes,
“You are the most beloved land of Allah to me.”
However, this saying has nothing to do with nationalism, and this can be seen from the full saying which people often do not quote,
“You are the most beloved land of Allah to me because you are the most beloved land of Allah to Allah.”
The Messenger of Allah’s (saaw) love for Makkah was based on the noble status that Allah (swt) has given to Makkah, and not because he (saaw) was born there. All Muslims should have this love and affection for Makkah because it is the most beloved land in the sight of Allah (swt). After all, the Muslims pray towards Makkah and go there to perform Hajj there as it houses the Ka’ba. The above saying of the Messenger of Allah (saaw) therefore has nothing to do with nationalism. If Rasoolillah (saaw) and the Muhajireen amongst the Sahabah (raa) were tied to the homeland (of Makkah), they would have settled in Makkah after it became part of the Islamic State.
Not only does Islam forbid people from grouping on nationalistic ties, but it also prohibits the establishment of more than one state, whether these states are based on nationalism or otherwise. The only state that is allowed for the Muslims is the Islamic State, which is a state that is governed exclusively by Islam. Allah (swt) addressed the Messenger (saaw),
“And rule between them by that which Allah revealed to you, and do not follow their vain desires away from the truth which came to you” [Surah Al-Madinah (5): ayah 48] and,
“And rule between them by that which Allah revealed to you and do not follow their whims, and beware (be on the alert) that they may deviate you away from even some part of what Allah revealed to you.” [Surah Al-Maidah (5):ayah 49]
The speech of Allah (swt) to the Messenger (saaw) is a speech to his (saaw) Ummah unless specific evidence comes to restrict this. In this case, there is no such restriction, and so it becomes obligatory for the Muslims to rule according to Islam. And ruling according to Islam leaves no room for nationalistic constitutions whatsoever because what is applied, and what forms the criteria for judgement, is the Book of Allah (swt) and the Sunnah of the Messenger (saaw).
Ruling according to Islam can only be achieved in one state, with one
Khalifah. It is reported in Muslim that `Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn al-’As
narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saaw) say,
“He who gave the bay’ah to an Imam, giving him the clasp of his hand and the fruit of his heart has to obey him as long as he can. If another comes to dispute with him (his authority) strike the neck of that person.”
Abu Said al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said,
“If a bay’ah is taken for two Khalifahs, kill the latter one.”
And `Arfaja said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saaw) say,
“If someone comes to you when you are united over one man and wants to break your strength and divide your unity, kill him.”
This unity of the Muslims was clearly highlighted in the document that the Messenger of Allah (saaw) wrote when he established the Islamic State in Madinah. In this document, which was to regulate the relationships of Muslims and non-Muslims in the Islamic State, the Messenger of Allah (saaw)
said regarding the Muslims,
“Allah’s covenant amongst them is one” and “The Believers are brothers to the exclusion of others” and “The peace of the believers is indivisible. No separate peace shall be made with believers are fighting in the way of Allah.”
These statements serve to indicate that Muslims are one body and they are not to be treated separately. Furthermore, the obligation of having one state, and not many nationalistic states, also comes from the Ijma’ of the Sahabah. When the Messenger of Allah (saaw) died, the Sahabah (raa) convened to discuss the appointment of the Khalifah in the courtyard of Bani Sa’ida. One person had proposed that the Ansar should elect their own Amir and the Muhajireen their own, but Abu Bakr (ra) narrated the Hadith that forbids the
Ummah from having more than one leader. Thus, the Sahabah (raa) never
allowed more than one ruler and their consensus is a legitimate evidence for us.
Islam therefore leaves no room for the Saudi state, and Egyptian state, a Malaysian state, an Iraninan state, or a Pakistani state. Islam calls for one state with one ruler where all Muslims are bound by the `Aqeedah of Islam. And this is a matter deciddd by Islam to which we must submit to, for Allah (swt) says,
“O mankind, verily We have created you from a male and a female, and made you peoples and tribes, so that you may recognize each other. Verily, the most honored of you to Allah is (he who) safeguards himself against evil with full awareness of Divine Laws. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [Surah Al Hujurat (49): ayah 13]
This verse was revealed immediately after the triumphant entry of the
Prophet (saaw) into Makkah. After the declaration of immunity to the
Quraysh, the Prophet (saaw) requested Bilal (ra) to give the Adhan. A group of three new Muslims were observing the proceedings when Bilal (ra) was asked to make the Adhan. One of them remarked how happy he was that his parents were not present to see such a disgusting sight. Another one, Harith bin Hisham commented that the Prophet (saaw) couldn’t find anybody other than a black crow to make the Adhan. The third one, Abu Sufyan, abstained from making any adverse comment, stating that if he said anything, Allah(swt) would send a revelation to Muhammad (saaw) addressing his statement.
Allah (swt) sent Jibreel (as) to inform the Prophet (saaw) of the discussion that had just taken place. The prophet (saaw) asked the three men about their conversation, who confirmed to the Prophet (saaw) what Jibreel (as) told him. The verse of the Qur’an was subsequently revealed.
Because these individuals from the Quraysh were differentiating between themselves and Bilal (ra), Allah (swt) revealed this verse, concluding that the only criteria that Allah (swt) uses to judge between Muslims is that of Taqwa, which Bilal (ra) had and of which they were devoid of. This verse destroys the basis of nationalism in Islam.
In the first part of the Ayah, Allah (swt) revealed to humanity that all human beings were created from a single pair – Adam and Eve. This statement clearly refutes any claim of certain people that humans came from animals through the process of evolution or any other such claim.
The part of the Ayah, “..and made you peoples and tribes, so that you may know each other…” is usually misinterpreted as `nations and tribes’ to justify the differences created by the existing borders, specifically in the Muslim World. In addition, such misinterpretations are also used to encourage Muslims to foster pride in these affiliations.
Unfortunately, these Muslims quickly jump to conclusions without looking at what Allah (swt) says. The errant understanding of this Ayah attempts to legitimize the current situation of the Muslim Ummah as many nations – divided and powerless – resulting from the destruction of the Khilafah state on March 3rd, 1924 by the puppet of the Kuffar, Mustafa Kamal.
Furthermore, such a misunderstanding lends legitimacy to the continued division of the already divided Muslim lands that occurred throughout the twentieth century, with the division of the Indian Subcontinent into Indian,Pakistani and Kashmiri regions; the further division of Pakistan into two countries with the creation of Bangladesh; and the renting asunder of the last Islamic Khilafah by the British agent Sykes and the French agent Picot during World War I in which they used the pencil and ruler to divide the Muslim Ummah.
“It is not for a believer (male or female) that when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any choice in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in plain error.” [Surah Al-Ahzab (33): ayah 36]
And those who still uphold nationalism, remember what Allah (swt) says,
“And let those who oppose the Messenger’s commandment beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials,afflictions,…) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [Surah An-Nur (24): ayah 63]
A Chapter from The Roots of Nationalism in the Muslim World
by Shabir Ahmed and Abid Karim
Published by:
Islamic Cultural Workshop
PO Box 1932 Walnut, CA 91789 USA
Tel: (909) 399-4708
yeahhhh more salafi stuff. bring em on. keep em coming copy and paste scholars in 5 minutes.
I think the word Mujahideen in your URL attracts alot of social misfits
bismillah
subhaanAllah!! Just like Sami, “Islam says…” Islam says what? Show me, no come here and show me, where does Islam say that??? Where does Islam says that you should be proud of whereever you live?
Tell me, why are you proud to be an American? The culture? The laws? The society? I hope you do realise that neither the culture is Islam, neither the laws are Islamic and most certainly, the society is not Islamic. Exactly why are you proud to be an American?
wassalam
BismillahiRahmaniRaheem
as-salamu’alaikum,
No less scholar than the ranks of Hujjat ul Islam (The Proof of Islam) Imam Ghazali (R) said:
Another authentic tradition narrates what follows: “One festival day two girls came to my house and began to play and sing. The Prophet came in and lay down on the couch turning his face away. Presently Abu Bakr entered, and seeing the girls playing, exclaimed, ‘What! the pipe of Satan in the Prophet’s house!’ Whereupon the Prophet turned and said, ‘Let them alone, Abu Bakr, for this is a festival-day’.”
Passing over the cases where music and dancing rouse into a flame evil desires already dormant in the heart, we come to those cases where they are quite lawful. Such are those of the pilgrims who celebrate the glories of the House of Allah at Mecca in song, and thus incite others to go on pilgrimage, and of miÂnstrels whose music and songs stir up martial ardour in the breasts of their auditors and incite them to fight against infidels. Similarly, mournful music which excites sorrow for sin and failure in religious life is lawful; of this nature was the music of David. But dirges which increase sorrow for the dead are not lawful, for it is written in the Qur’an, “Despair not over what you have lost.” On the other hand, joyful music at weddings and feasts and on such occasions as a circumcision or the return from a journey is lawful.
We come now to the purely religious use of music and dancing: such is that of who by this means stir up in themselves greater love towards Allah, and, by means of music, often obtain spiritual visions and ecstasies, their heart becoming in this condition as clean as silver in the flame of a furnace, and attaining a degree of purity which could never be attained by any amount of mere outward austerities.
…
Good, InshaAllah some, at least one click will change for the better.
I am proud American, cuz I can go anytime to the Masjid and pray. I can pray on campus. I can fast in Ramadan. I can go to Hajj. I can give zakah. I can eat halal zabihah meat. I can peform my nikkah in the Islamic manner. I can bury my dead in the Islamic manner. I can teach Islam to my future children freely. I can send them to Islamic institutes (Zaytuna, ALIM, AlMaghrib, etc.). There are many Islamic lectures, programs, events and conferences that go on every month in this country with knowledgable speakers from all backgrounds.
SubhanAllah I am proud. All of this in a non-Muslim country!
Allah (swt) is most merciful! Thank you so much for everything ya Allah!
But these things have nothing to do with America, they have to do with Islam. you can do these things in Syria, Pakistan, Egypt, UK, Germany, Turkey, Indonesia, and most other countries in the world. You said you are proud to be an American, that means you are pleased to be an American as compared to everything else. Now what advantages do you have, as an American that makes you love the fact that you have an American passport? as compared to say, a British one?
Nationalism is pride of belonging to a country. Should I even begin telling you what the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) described those who have nationalist feelings? He said they are lower than bug who digs itself in shit. He also described them in more ways which I’m sure you heard about.
Now why are you proud to be an American?
I believe that’s Shaykh Faraz’s opinion because sufis are too into music and wouldn’t let go
Nonetheless, my main point remains – Sunnipath maintains that music is haraam. Even Shaykh Faraz holds this opinion, and there’s no arguing with this.
I am sorry, but you can’t do it in syria, pakistan, egpyt or most Muslim countries. Maybe UK and germany. DEFINETLY not turkey. Are you crazy?
Try having an Islamic conference in Turkey. LOL
Actually I’m more proud of being a New Yorker then American.
The Nationalism you talk about is when it goes agianst the Qur’an, when you put your nation over Islam. When you would rather help an American non-Muslim then a Canadian Muslim or a Mexican Muslim. Obviously this is haram and wrong. All the Muslims in the world are my brothers and sisters. They all have my duas.
Being proud of being a Muslim in a country isn’t the asabiyah that is forbidden. It’s not really nationalistic the way you say it. I am American. American culture may be haram, but there is also an Muslim American culture. You will find neighbor hoods that live this up.
I guess it’s a NY think. You have Jackson heights which is totally Indian/Paki/Bengali culture. You won’t find typical American culture there, but yet for years they have been living there and they have developed there Desi-American culture. They still Desi, but they also now American.
Another example: Richmond Hill, Queens, NY aka Lil Guyana. Walking down Liberty Avenue is just like walking down Georgetown, Guyana, my parents tell me. All the stores, and shops are all Guyanese. Is that American? It’s in America, so it must be?
There are many examples too, like the famous ones: little Italy and Chinatown.
What I’m trying to get at is, you can establish a Muslim identity, a Muslim cuture in America or wherever you live and feel proud of it.
This is why I am proud to be an American. The people, the Muslims, the countless chances of dawah, the numerous converts/reverts and the beautiful Islamic centers, Masjids, schools, institutes, etc. that all have been establish in America.
In fact, America unites many people from different backgrounds. You find many inter-marrying couples. A Pakistani person marrying a Syrian person or a Guyanese person marrying a Bengali person. Is this asaabiyah? It can’t be, becuase asabiyah would mean to only marry your own kind.
So yeah, I’m proud to live in America, and to be American.
Two quotes, one from al-Kanadi, the other from Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kauthari. I hope those of you advocating music will read this with an open mind:
al-Kanadi:
Al-Ghazaali, is often quoted by some(*148) as having maintained a view of permissibility. It must be made clear that he argued in favor of only innocent singing, physical sport and entertainment. Nowhere did he mention or argue in favor of the permissibility of musical instruments or musical accompaniment to singing. Thus, those who quote him as a proof for the legality of music commit a gross error and do him a great injustice, for they impute to him that which he himself did not claim.
As for the two traditions mentioned by Al-Ghazaali, neither one meets the criterion required as proof for permissibility. The first one refers to the ‘Eed day festival when Aaishah listened to two young girls sing for her and beat upon a small hand drum (daff). The text of this tradition merely mentions an innocent form of singing Arabic poetry whose lyrics describe courage, noble manners and war.(*149) This is all permissible by unanimous consent and in no way lends itself as proof of the permissibility of music and/or singing to musical accompaniment.(*150) The second tradition mentions Aaishah as a child watching Ethiopian warriors perform physical feats and display their abilities with spears and shields. In Islam, physical exercises and exhibitions of skill and prowess are not only permissible but praiseworthy as well, especially if they are done for the purpose of keeping the body in physical and mental readiness for jihaad. It is essential to point out that in this hadeeth there is absolutely no mention of either music or singing and, therefore, is invalid as a defense for what has been claimed.
Thus, one may surmise that Al-Ghazaali argued for nothing more than that for which legality has been established and agreed upon. For the sake of argument, if Al-Ghazaali or any other scholar had argued for the permissibility of music and/or singing to its accompaniment, the reply would be precisely what has been stated in the case of Ibn Hazm and Ibnul-Arabi: When it is in contradiction to the authentic sunnah, one cannot accept the view of any other person after Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be up on him.)
From what has preceded, it is no exaggeration to state that there is a general consensus of the scholars of the Islamic ummah regarding the prohibition of music and singing to musical accompaniment. This is true because the consensus (ijmaa’) was accomplished by those whose ijmaa’ is esteemed and binding: the companions, taabi’een, and the four famous and respected imams. These were the best of generations, as is witnessed by Allah’s Messenger when he said, “The best of people is my generation, and then those that follow them, and then those that follow them.”(*151) The fact that a few later scholars differed with these pious predecessors has no effect on their previously-established consensus. Rather, one must consider the later scholars’ dissension as a clear example of deviation (shudhoodh) bearing no weight in the scale of the divinely-revealed shari’ah
al-Kauthari
In the light of the evidences that will be mentioned later, the following are unlawful in Shariah:
a) Musical instruments that are exclusively designed for entertainment and dancing, and create charm, pleasure and bliss on their own (even without the singing), such as the drum, violin, guitar, fiddle, flute, lute, mandolin, harmonium, piano, string, etc… are impermissible to use under any circumstance.
There is a consensus of the whole Ummah on this. Since the first century, the Companions (sahaba), their followers (tabi’een), jurists (fuqaha) and the scholars have been generally unanimous on this ruling.
b) Singing that is a cause for a sin is also unlawful with the consensus of all the scholars, such as songs that prevent one from the obligatory (fard & wajib).
c) Any singing that is accompanied by other sins, such as songs that consist of unlawful, immoral, and sexual themes, or it is sang by non-Mahram women, etc will also be unlawful. This ruling is also with the consensus of all the scholars.
———————————————-
The point being here, you cannot have a “legitimate” difference of opinion when ijmaa’ has already been established.
So from what I’m understanding, if you could not do these things, you would not be proud to be an American? And likewise, those who cannot do such things in their own countries should also feel no pride in their countries because they do not enjoy these same liberties?
Please elaborate.
Im a proud New Yorker and i cannot imagine moving out of here.besides, there is no “Islamic state” which is govered by Shariah, every other muslim country you go to is same as a non-muslim country. for exmaple, im from Pakistan and last time i went there, i was SHOCKED. there is shirk happening in every other corner of streets. people are sooooo greedy and hypocritical. i hardly met girls who were covered up properly and it was understood that prayer is to be done at an old age.Nobody knew what is maroof-ul-quran of ibn khatir!i would never even dream about raising my kids in such an environment.
Quoting Siraaj Muhammad:
Exactly! I would want to leave that country or place ASAP. If I can’t be free to practice my deen, eat the food I like, play the sports I like, etc. in that country, then I would not be proud of that country and I wouldn’t be proud to be living there. I’d be pretty depresed.
bismillah
Mujahideen Ryder, from what I understand, you are proud to be a Muslim. Only. You didn’t give me one American thing. I’m a Syrian and yes, you can do these things in Syria. When someone comes up to me and tells me he is proud to be Syrian, he will then start telling me why Syria is so great. He will state things which are only Syrian characteristics which he is proud of, like the kindess of the Syrian people, the history of the Syrian country, the mountains of Syria, the food of Syria the yadda yadda of syria. He wouldn’t start telling me about things that do not belong to Syria in anyway or form. What you described as things you are proud of are not bound to the US nor are they even related. You are proud to be a Muslim, and that’s one thing, a great thing. The question is, why are you proud to be an American?
Shab, indeed there isn’t any Islamic State today. But what does that mean to us? nobody is telling you to do hijrah or anything silly. That, however, does not immediatly entail that you should be an American patriot.
wassalam
It sounds like what you’re saying is that you’re proud to be living in America, rather than taking pride in being American. In the other countries I mentioned which do not have the same freedoms, if they were to leave their homelands and migrate to another land, should they still not have pride in, for example, one’s Syrian identity?
Siraaj
Quoting Abdul Rahman Hilmi
I love Pizza! I like hip hop! I love basketball! I root for the New York Yankees, Knicks, and soon to be in the 2008-09 NBA Season, the Brooklyn Nets.
Those things are part of the American culture and I enjoy them all. Do you get what I mean?
Quoting Siraaj Muhammad
LOL, either my english is bad or what I bolded is the same thing. People only migrate to better places to live or they like that place more then where they currently reside, thus they would obviously have pride in there final destintaion.
im proud of syrian sheikhs and i wouldnt dumping Ny to learn from syrian sheikhs
but the best thing about NY is that when i meet a muslim, i only view him/her as a muslim. not as an arab, paki or bengali, that helps us unite and end nationalism which is so wide-spread in muslim countries. growing up in non-muslim country, my eyes tear for all my muslim brother/sisters in Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia , etc(while arabs who’ve recently migrated to america, they are ONLY worried about palestine and can careless about what happens to muslims in other countries and same can be said about pakis who are only worried about Kashmir)
k im really bored at work and al-maghrib forum is not working and my stupid boss is not here-
To give you an example, there are many immigrants who come from India and Pakistan because of the job opportunities available, but if given a choice between living in America and living in Indo/Pak, they’d prefer the homeland.
They cheer their homeland during the World Cup
Hope that clarifies it. Now my question remains.
Siraaj
Quoting MR:Let’s be real. If you ask any convert, did they suddenly start to pray 5 times a day, abstain from alocohol, pork, haram meat, fornication. Maybe some aspects were sudden, but it was still a gradual growth.
Many of us have only recently came back to Islam from our ‘jahil days in high school or college’. Now we have the nerve to condemen Sami Yusuf’s music forbidden, when many of us use to listen to worse things back in the day.
That is a good point in some ways. It is true that alot of things do take time. Which is why Alcohol was forbidden in 3 steps.
However, that is not the issue. A person who listens to Sami Yusuf believing that his music is halal will most likely not stop listening to it. However, by believing that it is haram, and not making any excuses for it, you may still listen to it. But it will be easier for you to stop listening to it and putting in some Quran cds instead.
Assalam alaykum MR..First time on blog…and have spent approximately 3 hours on it! Incredible discussions…in regards to Sami-well, opinions have been expressed, positive and negative…all i gotta say, is..this blog’s got it all mashaallah! Gd stuff..keep up the great work…and Inshaallah, May Allah guide ALL of us (Anti/Pro-Sami:P) to the right path..Ameen
JazakumAllah khairan katheeran. May Allah (swt) accept all our duas. ameen!
as-salamu’alaikum,
This article does nothing to actually address the comments of Imam Ghazali (R). Claiming that his position was that of impermissability without actual quotations or proofs is truly dishonest.
No one can read this:
http://village.flashnet.it/users/fn034463/alchemy.html
and come up to the same conclusion. Not only is singing differentiated from music in this work, but
Claiming Ijma on this issue is fine, but as long as the complexities of the ijma are addressed. Yes there is conensus that music for the sake of worldly desires is haram, instruments that promote that are forbidden.
However, there is no ijma on spiritual music and instruments used in that regard.
Imam Ghazali (R) said himself:
“Accordingly there has been much dispute among theologians as to the lawfulness of music and dancing regarded as religious exercises.”
If there is dispute that -HE- recognized, how can we be claiming there is ijma?
Then finally when the Salafi writer realizes he cannot escape Imam Ghazali’s (R) words, the simple ‘follow the Quran and Sunnah’ argument is made. Alhamdulillah, we will, and we will follow the texts as they have been interpreted by the giants of Islam.
[...] Sami Yusuf responds to Yvonne Ridley [...]
Yursil, you are simply reading what you wish to. This is the second time I’ve had to go through this with someone who I believe favours Sunnipath and cannot acknowledge that their scholars have forbidden music outright. Read again the fatwa of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam al Kauthari:
“Musical instruments that are exclusively designed for entertainment and dancing, and create charm, pleasure and bliss on their own (even without the singing), such as the drum, violin, guitar, fiddle, flute, lute, mandolin, harmonium, piano, string, etc… are impermissible to use under any circumstance.”
There is a consensus of the whole Ummah on this. Since the first century, the Companions (sahaba), their followers (tabi’een), jurists (fuqaha) and the scholars have been generally unanimous on this ruling.
What has Shaykh Muhammad ibn al Kauthari misunderstood when he wrote these statements which you have understood better from other scholars? Or, have I misunderstood al Kauthari, and if I have, please show me how and where?
Siraaj
And by the way, here is Shaykh Muhammad ibn adam al Kauthari’s final statements in his fatwa:
However, songs that are free from such unlawful things and they consist of descriptions of the natural things, such as flowers and streams, etc… will be permissible. Yes, if they are accompanied by musical instruments, then it will be unlawful even if the song is full of advice and wisdom, not because of what the songs consist of, rather due to the musical instruments that are played with it.
Musical instruments that are solely designed for entertainment are unlawful, with or without singing. However, to play the tambourine (daf) at weddings (and other occasions according to some fuqaha) will be permissible.
As far as the songs are concerned, if they consist of anything that is unlawful or they prevent one from the obligatory duties, then they will be unlawful. However, if they are free from the abovementioned things (and they are not accompanied by instruments), then it will be permissible to sing them.
Whoops, the first paragraph is in the middle of the fatwa, not the end. the next two paragraphs are at the end.
Finally, Yursil, you criticized al-Kanadi for how he regarded the evidences, but you’ve forgotten something – his criticism of the evidences was the same ibn hajr al asqalani leveled against those who tried to make musical instruments permissible, and this is also contained in Muhammad ibn Adam Al Kauthari’s fatwa. Read again:
“As for those who hold music to be lawful usually present the Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari in which two girls were singing in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her).
However, the permissibility of music can not be justified with this Hadith. The Hadith expert, Ibn Hajr al-Asqalani has refuted this claim in length in his Fath al-Bari, 2/345).
Firstly, theses young girls were singing without any unlawful musical instruments and secondly, the content of the song was regarding war, thus perfectly lawful. Also, they were not professional singers as the words of the Hadith clearly indicate.”
So whose opinion will I take on the interpration of these hadeeth in Saheeh al Bukhaari, ibn Hajr’s, or al Ghazaali’s? I believe ibn Hajr is the authority in this one in properly understanding the nuances of this hadeeth.
Siraaj
Siraaj, compliment to you on your post that was methodically laid out with argument and evidence. do not expect a rational rebuttal.
Yo dude, I understand your pain in this. I went through three cycles of giving up music cold turkey and returning to it, but in the end, I did eventually give it up, along with movies. Alhamdullillaaah, Allah (SWT) gave me a really great wife a short time later
I will acknowledge your point, however – Sami Yusuf’s haraam is not as bad as the other haraam (at least, that’s what I hope). Still it should not cause one to lose sight of the fact that it is haraam and to ask forgiveness for it.
One thing that helped me get over music was that I accepted right from the start that music in all forms was haraam and would ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness and help throwing off this habit, and though it took some time, I did eventually get over it, by Allah’s guidance and mercy on me.
Siraaj
Jazakallaah khayr, I’m not looking for a rebuttal, I’m looking for nonpartisan examination of the evidences and acceptance. The very reason I’m using Sunnipath for this issue as my primary vehicle for driving the argument home is because this issue is so cut and dry, but those of us among the laypeople who love music are trying to squeeze through any which way we can to listen to it.
The purpose of all this is that we eventually all arrive at the truth and are pleasing Allah (SWT).
Siraaj
I READ WITH UTTER DISMAY THAT YVONNE RIDLEY DID NOT ATTEND THE CONCERT. HOW SILLY CAN SHE BE.
Br. Siraaj, Sami Yusuf does not only entertain. Here’s a new phrase which Prof. Salim al Hasani coined: Edutainment.
So Sami’s music has a message and its certainly made me more aware of my Religion.
We can dispute till the Last day about Music but that doesnt change the fact the majority still listen to music, watch films and TV. Why waste our time for the moniroty few who has a grudge about anything new. I mean even the Wahabi Islam channel in the UK use music for adverts, ident, news etc. Now there’s some food for thought. and dont give that I close my ear when I hear music. Load of garbage.
Sister, before I was married, I was speaking to a sister who reverted to Islam because her mother was dating a Muslim and he happened to be playing the Qur’aan, and it moved her. She later investigated more, and she learned and reverted to Islam.
Now, by this logic, Muslim men should date nonMuslim women because there was some success in this regard (actually, I attended a conference where a brother reverted because he was dating a Muslim girl).
If something is wrong, and Allah (SWT) uses it to bring about some good, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s wrong. Robbing a bank and giving it in charity is still stealing. Using your excess riba money from your savings account to build a masjid does not justify its use.
Likewise, I’m happy that Sami Yusuf’s music has had a positive effect on you. If I were to place brother Sami’s music on a spectrum of other options, his would be a lesser of all the other evils, but due to the musical accompaniment, it would still be haraam.
Brother Sami would do the Muslim Ummah a great service if he would focus on inspiring us with his vocals and drums rather displaying his versatility with piano and violin.
Siraaj
My family and I don’t keep a TV in the home because of how addictive it is, and the amount of visual poison there is for both myself and my wife. Helps keeps the heart clean, insha’Allah.
Couple the visuals with the audio, and it’s no wonder the Muslim youth can be so easily corrupted. I’m surprised more sufis are not catching on to this with purification of the soul as their main theme.
In the previous post, I meant dhaff, not drums
Siraaj
Why you using my name?
NO TV RULES! we have no TV, well acutally we do have one physically to watch videos, dvds, etc. but no cable tv, no channels. i know countless sufis that dont have tvs in there homes.
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf once said, he’d give a family $100 for destroying there tvs.
for those who are wondering how do i watch my sports, i read it online or a go to my friends place and watch it or a public place and watch it.
lol- we are learning our deen and strengthening our imaan through music. Indeed, its a very sad reality for our ummah-
Bro, I think that’s really awesome! TV is just the worst. I’m glad to hear our sufi brothers are doing that as well as our salafi brothers
Siraaj
guess what?? Apparently, Yvonne has admitted not even being present at the concert!! Can you blieve this?? ALL the defaming, rudeness, accussations based on heresay???????? Wallahi, the Ummah and the world would be MUCH better of without Salafis and their sympathisers!
I mean, just LOOK at how much harm they have damaged Islam’s image!!
guess what?? Apparently, Yvonne has admitted not even being present at the concert!! Can you believe this?? ALL the defaming, rudeness, accussations based on heresay???????? Wallahi, the Ummah and the world would be MUCH better off without Salafis and their sympathisers!
I mean just look at the amount of damage they have caused.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it the case that reporters usually aren’t at the events at which news occurs? They tend to come afterwards and interview people to get an understanding of what had happened.
From what sister Aliya Hasan has said, and another brother named theenglishhumza on maniacmuslim forums, both of whom attended, it is correct that sisters were cheering and even screaming (sister Aliya herself said she screamed and would do more of it as she saw no harm in it). And, brother Sami did not deny telling people to be proud of being in the police force – he actually defended it, and being proud to be british. Regardless of whether she attended, she got her facts straight, and that is what really matters.
Siraaj
Ok, I’ll correct you my dear brother:
“And I’m not just talking about silly, little girls who don’t know any better; I am talking about sisters in their 20′s, 30′s and 40′s, who squealed, shouted, swayed and danced. Even the security guys who looked more like pipe cleaners than bulldozers were left looking dazed and confused as they tried to stop hijabi sisters from standing on their chairs.”
This is a complete and utter fabrication!! Never happened according to brother Sami and I believe him!! And MANY other people who attened confirm this to be true.
complete fabrications!!!
And what about sister Aliya Hasan who is pro Sami Yusuf, attended the concert, claimed she screamed as did others?
I find it odd that you ignore her statements on this.
Siraaj
“I mean even the Wahabi Islam channel in the UK use music for adverts, ident, news etc.”
i watch islam channel. how is it a wahhabi channel? im just curious to know, this is the first time ive heard such a comment about the Islam Channel.
just to emphasise, im in no way trying to cause trouble over islam channel, im just a bit suprised by that statement.
Assalmualaikum;
you know what,
this issue is not worth arguing about.
why don’t you contact the artist themselves and ask them what hadith they follow, and then, sit here and either lough out loud, or go pray 2 nafil?
Salams;
Rose of madinah
brother Siraaj,
Words are VERY powerful, a few scool girls or even children ‘screaming’ is indeed VERY different to “And I’m not just talking about silly, little girls… I am talking about sisters in their 20′s, 30′s and 40′s, who squealed, shouted, swayed and danced. Even the security guys who looked more like pipe cleaners than bulldozers were left looking dazed and confused as they tried to stop hijabi sisters from standing on their chairs. Of course the stage groupies did not help at all as they waved and encouraged the largely female Muslim crowd to “get up and sing along.” (They’re called ‘Fluffers’ in lap-dancing circles!)”
my dear, it has always been the ‘Salafi’ or extremist way to just put everything all together and present as one! We should try to TRULY follow our Prophet and be sensitive to words, actions, and be JUST at all times. I can tell you that sister Yvonne has NOT been just! Did you know that she never even attended the event!!?? Is that not soooooooooooooooooooooo out of order?????
May Allah have mercy on our ummah – amin
Musa
This wasn’t a report br siraaj. This was an accusation. before you accuse someone you must have evidence. Her evidence was the views of some. Well, cheering, screaming is not like its the the first time it ever happened. It used to happen before Sami Yusuf was on the scene. Also if she has heard it from a few say even a hundred, she never asked the 5000 people who all attended. I mean you could always get a different prospoective from the other audiences. Anyway, I beleive her statements were rude, arrogant and shows how shallow she is in her intellect. No offence intended as I still respect her as a Muslim.
Yes, I reiterate I will cheer and encourage all artists while they perform whether native deen, raihan, sami yusuf and preacher moss. Dont tell me I can’t laugh either now.
As for dancing, well I never will and never encouraged. I strongly disagree with Azhar usman on this issue. I wonder what his stake is at women doing hadara…
This is the 155th comment.
Musa, I agree with you about the tone of her advice. In my own blog, I’ve criticized her for it.
It doesn’t change the fact that it happened. 2 witnesses is all you need, and we have multiple acknowledging it. That Sami Yusuf did not see it, or chooses not to may simply be his own modesty at the idea that others cheer for him.
Sister Aliya, please take note – brother Sami advised sister Yvonne to correct the sisters who were doing what they were doing in a good fashion, not a harsh one, implying what? That sisters doing such should be corrected because it is wrong and unIslamic.
Siraaj
Yvonne is clearly trying to seek attention! All she wants is to gain populaity through brother Sami, and boy oh boy has she become popular:) The thing is, she is in a bit of a trouble you see..
*The West think she’s a nut
*ALL non-Muslims think she’s a nut
*ALL Moderate minded, sane and balanced intelligent people will see that she is illogical and that some of her arguments are simply MAD.
So, she only really left with her constituency (though Galloway recently shunned off her comments about the Police) and die-hard salafis or neo-jihadis who have an inferiority complex (listening to not cause of her words of messages but because she’s white and convert). She is a mockery to Islam and Muslims – sorry to be blunt guys.
Musa remember the word’s of Umar Ibn Khataab (ra)
Itakillaah your are talking bad about another MUSLIM.
how dare you subhnallah you dont fight evil with evil.
as-salamu’alaikum Siraj,
Your quotation of sunnipath sources is incomplete. Besides ignoring my quote of Imam Ghazali, you have ignored other answers on this subject. Specifically, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani himself discusses this:
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1793&CATE=142
——————————
Sidi, I don’t know what reasoning the CD was based on. Allah knows best. There is difference of opinion on this issue, but the position conveyed by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari is the very same as that mentioned in the relied upon works across the Sunni schools of fiqh, and held by most traditional Sunni scholars now and in the past [see, for example, the entries on Music in the Reliance of the Traveller].
Some scholars did, in fact, allow instruments if not used for vain purposes, including in this the use of some Sufis and others of instruments for ‘spiritually uplifting’ purposes, as long as this was free of other impermissible matters (such as impermissible song content, female singing for non-females, free-mixing at such gatherings, etc.).
This remains a minority opinion, however, and religious precaution would indicate avoiding it, for the many reasons, explained by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam in his answer.
At the same time, Ibn Abidin explains in his Radd al-Muhtar [6.349, Ilmiyya ed.], one should not condemn to those (like upright Sufis) who have noble intentions in their listening to such songs and are far from vain purposes (lahw), as long as nothing else impermissible is conjoined with the listening.
As such, religious caution and following sounder legal opinion (and the outward purport of the prohibitions of the Qur’an and Sunna) would indicate scrupulously avoiding music and singing with instruments besides the duff. However, one should not condemn others about this because of the difference of opinion regarding this.
—————————–
Your response?
-Yursil
One other comment:
It is also clear from reading traditional texts that it is a custom of the scholar in writing his opinion to be quoting the opinions of other scholars with authority. This style of writing is what is conveyed by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari.
Presenting one’s opinion as a majority or clear opinion is part of that style of writing. This is not actually dishonest because it is based off of scholarship that they adhere to from their teachers.
On the other hand, it is also true at the same time that the majority of the Muslim local ulema, who controlled society in a very real way, permitted religious music with instruments. It is also true that their playing was not entire eliminated in any real, meaningful case of Muslim society before the arrival of the Wahabi’s and Salafi’s.
Imam Ghazali’s (R) opinion also notes the difference of opinion on this issue.
That should be clear enough as to the opinion on this matter.
My statement is very simple – see if you can follow it:
1. The opinion of Sunnipath.com, no matter which scholar you ask, be it Faraz Rabbani or Muhammad ibn Adam Al-Kauthari, is that music is haraam, regardless of the lyrics (refer again to what I’ve quoted).
2. Faraz Rabbani, while taking the opinion that music is haraam, says that there is a difference of opinion on music and therefore, those who listen to musical instruments without unIslamic lyrics are to not be condemned because of this difference of opinion. However, his opinion is STILL that it is haraam in any case, good, bad, or no lyrics while accepting the difference.
3. You can quote Imaam al-Ghazzali and his evidence all you like. The very evidence he uses in Bukhaari is smashed by Ibn Hajr in Fath al-Bari in his commentary on the hadeeth. He comes out clearly and says musical instruments are haraam.
I have missed nothing in regards to Sunnipath’s position. My argument is simple – they consider it haraam with Faraz Rabbani saying those who follow the difference are not to be condemned while Muhammad ibn Adam al Kauthari has stated explicitedly that it is the consensus of the Companions and the generations afterwards that it is haraam.
If you have further questions about it, simply send in your questions to either of those teachers, and see their response. Ask them specifically their opinion, and ask for all cases. See the answer you get.
Siraaj
as-salamu’alaikum,
Accepting a difference of opinion is a huge difference from the position you are trying to impose on readers.
Your specific words are suggesting ijma, “what you do have is the ijma of all scholars up until the time of ibn hazm “.
While it is clear that whether you agree with Imam Ghazali (R) or not, there was difference of opinion on this issue in his time, and Shaykh Rabbani agrees there is difference of opinion on this issue today.
The difference between declaring la khilaf or ijma is a huge one.
I made no claim regarding Sunnipaths position on this issue other than they also accept that there is a difference of opinion.
However, this is at the heart of the matter as Salafi’s cannot accept differences of opinion. Their mind cannot wrap their head around it, nor do they know how to behave when confronted with it.
Absolutely Yusrsil, very well put! My thoughs exactly!
I’ve already stated my reasons for why I believe there is ijmaa’ regarding this issue, and I have presented the proofs above. That some scholars have misunderstood this issue is of no consequence to me.
Both Muhammad ibn Adam al Kauthari and al-Kanadi have offered their reasoning behind why they believe there is consensus. If you wish to delude yourself into something other than that, it’s a free country
Siraaj
Difference of opinion in a matter doesn’t make it halaal
Forgot to also mention that the difference in this wasn’t among the salaf, but among the KHALAF.
I suppose this is all signs of qiyammah. How can u justify this type of nonsense
u know its to do with what some1 wants, if he wants to listento music, u can say what u like he won’t change, but stay stuck on his point….on the other hand if some1 wants to change, just a blink is enough!!!!
i don’t reallly like this site!!!!
yeah me either. you know afghani rice is mad good. especially with chicken and kebab.
Laugh out loud. I will have to try that inshah allah.
please read the following beuatifully written and in detail. Sami Yousef has great words Mashallah so why the need of instruments if Allah SWT has blessed him with such a great voice.
The following is written Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari, Leicester (UK)
Music and Singing: A detailed fatwa
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
The worst case scenario in the event of being inflicted with a disease is when the one involved refuses to believe that he has been inflicted with that disease. The way this phenomenon is accepted and recognised in diseases and illnesses that affect the physical body, it is also true with regards to spiritual diseases and ailments.
When a person commits a sin (may Allah save us all) believing that a sin is being committed and feels regret and remorse in the heart, then this is far better then committing the sin and believing it to be lawful (halal). In the former situation, only one sin is being committed, and it is very likely that the individual may repent out of the remorse felt in the heart. In the latter case, however, in addition to the sin being committed, there is the greater sin of trying to justify it. Normally, such an individual does not receive the guidance to repent from his sin. (May Allah save us all, Ameen).
Music and Singing?
The case with music and unlawful singing is the same. It has been decisively prohibited in Shariah, as the evidences mentioned further along will show. Yet there are individuals that are not ready to believe that it is Haram.
In the modern era, music has spread to such an extent that nobody is free from it. Individuals are confronted with situations where they are forced to listen to music. It is played nearly in all department stores and supermarkets. If you sit in a taxi, make a phone call or even walk down the street, you will not be saved from this evil. Young Muslims drive around in their cars with the music fully blasted. The increasing popularity of music, which is prevalent in our society, poses a great threat to the Muslims.
Music is a direct ploy of the Non-Muslims. One of the main causes for the decline of the Muslims is their involvement in useless entertainment. Today we see that Muslims are involved, and at the forefront perhaps, of many immoralities and evils. The spiritual power which once was the trait of a Muslim is nowhere to be seen. One of the main reasons for this is music and useless entertainment.
Harms and effects of music
We should be aware that nothing has been prohibited by the Almighty Creator except that which is harmful to the Muslims and the society as a whole. There are great harms and ill-effects of music.
Islam totally forbids adultery and also those things that lead to it. Allah Most High says:
“And do not come near to adultery, for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road (to other evils)†(al-Isra, 32).
Islam does not only prohibit adultery and fornication, but also those things that may lead to it. This is the reason why the Qur’an orders Muslim men and Women to lower their gazes. It prohibits one from being alone with someone from the opposite sex (khalwa). Informal interaction with the opposite sex has also been made unlawful.
This is also one of the main reasons for the prohibition of music, as it effects one’s emotions, creates arousal, passion and excitement, and also leads to various physiological changes in the person. It is a psychological proven fact that two things are instrumental in arousing the human sexual desire, one being the voice of a female (for males) and the other music.
This is the reason why Allah Most High says:
“O wives of the prophet! You are not like other women, if you are god-fearing. So do not be soft in speech. Lest in whose heart is disease should be moved with desire.†(Surah al-Ahzab, v. 32).
Thus, Islam forbids listening to the female voice with lust and desire. The great Hanafi Jurist, Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) states:
“It is permissible for women to converse with non-Mahram men at the time of need (and visa versa, m). However, what is not permissible is that they stretch, soften and raise their voice in a melodious way†(Radd al-Muhtar, V.1, P. 406).
Similarly, it is also unlawful for women to listen to the voice of non-Mahram men with lust and desire. One of the great western thinkers said: “the voice is one of the quickest ways that make a woman fall in love with a man. This is the reason why many women adore singersâ€.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) was also wary of this fact when he said to the Companion Bara ibn Malik: “O Bara! Let not the women here your voice†(Kanz al-Ummal, 7/322). The same has also been reported from the Companion Anjasha (Allah be pleased with him).
Physical Effect of Music
Experiments carried out by doctors and researchers confirm that music is such that it does not only affect the brain, but each and every organ of the body. There is a close relationship between music and bodily movements.
It is also proved that music affects one’s emotions, increases arousal in terms of alertness and excitement and also leads to various psychological changes in the person. In a psychological experiment, it was found that listening to moderate type of music increased one’s normal heart beat, whilst listening to rock music the heart beat increased even further, yet people claim that music has no effect.
In conclusion, music and the instruments used for singing are a cause for arousing the sexual desire of an individual. It could lead a person to adultery and fornication. Therefore, Islam takes the preventive measure rather than suffer the consequences. This is also one of the principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, namely ‘blocking the means’ (sadd al-dhara’i). This is based on the idea of preventing an evil before it actually materializes, and is taken from the heart of the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah that, “Preventing harm is given precedence even to achieving possible benefits.â€
Becoming Heedless of Allah
One of the harms of music is that it distracts one from his Creator. It serves as a temporary means of pleasure and satisfaction, which makes one forget who he really is and why he was created. This is the reason why musical instruments are known in the Arabic language as ‘malaahi’ meaning instruments that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
Human has been created for a noble purpose. Allah Most High says:
“I have created jinn and humans only that they serve (worship) me†(Surah al-Dhariyat, 56).
Music and temporary entertainments sink the human in physical pleasures and prevent him/her from true spiritual gains. In conclusion, music has a great role to play in preventing a human from realising the purpose of creation.
Un-Islamic Values
Another harm of music is that it instills the ideologies of the Non-Muslims in the heart and mind. The messages of today’s music follow a general theme of love, fornication, drugs and freedom.
We find that the whole world is obsessed with the Kufr idea of unrestrained freedom, i.e. freedom of speech and movement, etc… This idea of freedom, “it’s my life, I’ll do what I want†is a predominant theme of music today. It is used as a means of drilling western ideologies into the hearts and minds, which are totally contrary to Islamic values and teachings.
The Difference Between Legal Wisdom and Legal Reasons
The above are just some of the harms and evil effects of music. One must remember here that these are the wisdoms for the prohibition of music and not the reason (illah). The Shariah ruling is based upon the reason, and not the wisdom. In other words if the harms for the prohibition of music is taken care of, it does not make music permissible.
An example for this is that the wisdom behind the prohibition of wine and alcohol is that it creates enmity and hatred between people and it hinders one from the remembrance of Allah. The reason, however, is that it is an intoxicating substance. Now, if one was to say that wine will be Halal for me, as I will lock myself up after drinking wine, thus no destruction will be caused. Any sane person will conclude that he is wrong, as wine is Haram whether you cause any destruction and damage to others or not. The reason being, that the cause for the prohibition of wine is that it intoxicates you, regardless of whether the wisdom is present or not.
The same is with music. If one is saved from the abovementioned harms, even then music will still remain Haram. It can not be held lawful even if one is saved from its harms. This is a well established principle in the science of Usul al-Fiqh.
Ruling on musical instruments and unlawful singing
In the light of the evidences that will be mentioned later, the following are unlawful in Shariah:
a) Musical instruments that are exclusively designed for entertainment and dancing, and create charm, pleasure and bliss on their own (even without the singing), such as the drum, violin, guitar, fiddle, flute, lute, mandolin, harmonium, piano, string, etc… are impermissible to use under any circumstance.
There is a consensus of the whole Ummah on this. Since the first century, the Companions (sahaba), their followers (tabi’een), jurists (fuqaha) and the scholars have been generally unanimous on this ruling.
Singing that is a cause for a sin is also unlawful with the consensus of all the scholars, such as songs that prevent one from the obligatory (fard & wajib).
c) Any singing that is accompanied by other sins, such as songs that consist of unlawful, immoral, and sexual themes, or it is sang by non-Mahram women, etc will also be unlawful. This ruling is also with the consensus of all the scholars.
Evidences
There are numerous evidences in the Qur’an and Sunnah which support this view. We will attempt to look at a few:
1) Allah Most High says:
“And there are among men, those that purchase idle tales, to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and throw ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment†(Surah Luqman, V. 6).
The great Companion Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) states in the explanation of the word “idle talesâ€:
“By Allah its meaning is music†(Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/223 & authenticated by al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, 2/411).
Imam Ibn Abi Shayba related with his own transmission that He (Ibn Mas’ud) said:
“I swear By Him besides whom there is no God that it refers to singing†(132/5).
The great Companion and exegete of the Qur’an, Abd Allah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) states:
“The meaning of the word is music, singing and the like†(Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/221& Musannaf Ibn abi Shayba, 132/5).
He also stated:
“Music and the purchase of female singers†(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, 132/5).
Hasan al-Basri (Allah be pleased with him) said:
“This verse was revealed in relation to singing and musical instruments†(Tafsir ibn Kathir, 3/442)
The same explanation has also been narrated from Mujahid, Ikrima, Ibrahim Nakha’i, Mak’hul and others (Allah be pleased with them all).
The above verse of the Qur’an, along with the statements regarding its meaning is clear in the prohibition of music. It also serves as a severe warning for those who are involved in the trade of music in any way, shape or form, as Allah warned them of “Humiliating punishmentâ€.
As for those that say, the verse refers to things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah and not music, do not contradict the aforementioned explanation. The interpretation of the verse with “things that prevent one from the remembrance of Allah†is a more general interpretation which includes music and song, as one of the foremost things that stop you from the remembrance of Allah is music. This is the reason why the majority of the exegetes of the Qur’an have interpreted the verse with music only, or with all those acts that prevent one from the truth with music being at the forefront.
2) Allah Most High says whilst describing the attributes of the servants of the Most Compassionate (ibad al-Rahman):
“Those who witness no falsehood, and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable avoidance†(Surah al-Furqan, V. 72).
Imam Abu Bakr al-Jassas relates from Sayyiduna Imam Abu Hanifah (Allah be pleased with him) that the meaning of “falsehood (zur)†is music & song, (Ahkam al-Qur’an, 3/428).
3) Allah Most High said to Shaytan:
“Lead to destruction those whom you can among them with your (seductive) voice†(Surah al-Isra, V.64).
One of the great exegete, Mujahid (Allah have mercy on him) interpreted the word “voice (sawt)†by music, singing, dancing and idle things. (Ruh al-Ma’ani, 15/111).
Imam Suyuti (Allah have mercy on him) quoted Mujahid as saying: “Voice (in this verse) is singing and flute†(al-Iklil fi istinbat al-tanzil, 1444).
Another exegete, Dahhak (Allah have mercy on him) also interpreted the word “Sawt†with flutes. (Qurtubi, al-Jami` li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 10/288).
Here also, a general interpretation can be given, as indeed some commentators of the Qur ‘ an have done, but this, as mentioned earlier, does not contradict the meaning given by Mujahid and Dahhak, as it is included in the more broad and general meaning.
Guidance of the Messenger of Allah
(Allah bless him & give him peace)
The are many Ahadith of the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) which prohibit music and the usage of musical instruments to the extent that some scholars have gathered approximately forty Ahadith, of which the chain of transmission of some is sound (sahih), some good (hasan) and some weak (da’if). We will only mention a few here:
1) Sayyiduna Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) reports that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) say: “There will appear people in my Ummah, who will hold adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments to be lawful†(Sahih al-Bukhari)
2) Abu Malik al-Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) narrates a similar type of Hadith, but a different wording. He reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Soon there will be people from my Ummah who will consume alcohol, they will change its name (by regarding it permissible. m), on there heads will be instruments of music and singing. Allah will make the ground swallow them up, and turn them into monkeys and swine†(Sahih Ibn Hibban & Sunan Ibn Majah, with a sound chain of narration).
In the above two narrations, the word ma`azif is used. The scholars of the Arabic language are unanimous on the fact that it refers to musical instruments (Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, V.9, P.189).
The prohibition of musical instruments is clear in the two narrations. The first Hadith (recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari) mentions that certain people from the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) will try to justify the permissibility of using musical instruments, along with adultery, silk and alcohol, despite these things being unlawful (haram) in Shariah.
Moreover, by mentioning music with the likes of adultery and alcohol just shows how severe the sin is. The one who attempts to permit music is similar to the one who permits alcohol or adultery.
The second Hadith describes the fate of such people in that the ground will be ordered to swallow them and they will be turned into monkeys and swine (may Allah save us all). The warning is specific to those that will hold music, alcohol, silk and adultery to be permissible. It is something that should be of concern for those who try and justify any of these things.
Also, to say that music will only be unlawful if it is in combination with alcohol, adultery and silk is incorrect. If this was the case, then why is it that the exception is only for music from the four things? The same could also be said for adultery, alcohol and silk. One may then even justify that alcohol and adultery is also permissible unless if they are consumed in combination with the other things!
Thus the above two narrations of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) are clear proof on the impermissibility of music and songs.
3) Imran ibn Husain (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “This Ummah will experience the swallowing up of some people by the earth, metamorphosis of some into animals, and being rained upon with stonesâ€. A man from amongst the Muslims asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When will this be?†He said: “When female singers and musical instruments appear and alcohol will (commonly) be consumed†(Recorded by Imam Tirmizi, Imam Ibn Majah in their respective Sunan collections, and the wording here is of Sunan Tirmizi).
4) Sayyiduna Ali ibn Talib (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “When my Ummah begin doing fifteen things, they will be inflicted with tribulations, and (from those 15 things He said): “When female singers and musical instruments become common†(Sunan Tirmizi).
5) Na’fi reports that once Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them both) heard the sound of a Sheppard’s flute. He put his fingers in his ears, turned his mule away from the road and said: “O Nafi’! Can you hear? I (Nafi’) replied with the affirmative. He carried on walking (with his fingers in his ears) until I said: “the sound has ceased†He removed his fingers from his ears, came back on to the road and said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) doing the same when he heard the flute of the Sheppard†(Recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and Abu Dawud & Ibn Majah in their Sunans).
6) Abd Allah Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Verily Allah has forbidden alcohol, gambling, drum and guitar, and every intoxicant is haram†(Musnad Ahmad & Sunan Abu Dawud).
7) Abu Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “Allah Mighty and Majestic sent me as a guidance and mercy to believers and commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affairs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance†(Musnad Ahmad & Abu Dawud Tayalisi).
8) Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Song makes hypocrisy grow in the heart as water does herbage†(Sunan al-Bayhaqi).
9) Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) said: “On the day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress†(Recorded by Ibn Asakir & Ibn al-Misri).
10)Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Bell is the flute of Shaytan†(Sahih Muslim & Sunan Abu Dawud).
There are many more narrations of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) in prohibition of musical instruments and unlawful singing. I have merely mentioned a few as an example.
The imam of the Shafi`i school, Imam Ibn Hajr al-Haytami gathered all these Ahadith which approximately total to forty in his excellent work ‘ Kaff al-Ra’a an Muharramat al-Lahw wa al-Sama’ , and then said: “All of this is explicit and compelling textual evidence that musical instruments of all types are unlawful†(2/270).
Statements of the Fuqaha
The great Hanafi jurist al-Kasani states:
“If a singer gathers people around him only to entertain them with his voice, then he will not be considered a upright person (a’dil), even though if he does not consume alcohol, as he will be considered the leader of sinners. If however, he only sings to himself in order to eradicate loneliness, then there is nothing wrong in doing so.
As far as the one who uses musical instruments is concerned, if the instruments themselves are not unlawful, such as the bamboo and tambourine, then there is nothing wrong with that and he will still be considered upright. However, if the instrument is unlawful, such as the lute and the like, then he will not be considered a upright person (to be a witness in the court. m), as these instruments can never be considered lawful†(Bada’i al-Sana’i, 6/269).
It is stated in Khulasat al-Fatawa:
“Listening to the sound of musical instruments is unlawful (haram), as the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Listening to songs is a sin†(4/345).
Ibn Humam, the great Hanafi Mujtahid makes a decisive statement in his famous Fath al-Qadir:
“Unlawful (haram) singing is when the theme of the song consists of unlawful things, such as the description of a particular living person’s beauty and features, the virtues of wine that provoke wine-drinking, the details and particulars of family affairs or those songs that mock and ridicule others.
However, songs that are free from such unlawful things and they consist of descriptions of the natural things, such as flowers and streams, etc… will be permissible. Yes, if they are accompanied by musical instruments, then it will be unlawful even if the song is full of advice and wisdom, not because of what the songs consist of, rather due to the musical instruments that are played with it.
And it is stated in the al-Mugni of Ibn Qudamah (Hanbali Madhhab) that musical instruments are of two types:
1) Unlawful, Such as those that are specially designed for entertainment and singing, like the flute and mandolin, etc…
2) Lawful, like the playing of the tambourine (daff) at weddings and other happy occasions†(Ibn Humam, Fath al-Qadir, 6/36).
The same has more or less been mentioned in the other Hanafi works also, such as al-Ikhtiyar, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya and others.
Imam an-Nawawi, the great Hadith and Shafi’i scholar states:
“It is unlawful to use or listen to musical instruments, such as, those which the drinkers are known for, like the mandolin, lute, cymbals, and flute. It is permissible to play the tambourine (daf) at weddings, circumcisions and other times, even if it has bells on its sides. Beating the Kuba, a long drum with a narrow middle, is also unlawful†(Mugni al-muhtaj, 4/429, & Reliance of the traveller, 775).
There are many other statements of the Fuqaha and scholars such al-Qurtubi, and each of the four Madhhabs, but due to the length of the article, I will suffice with the above.
As for those who hold music to be lawful usually present the Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari in which two girls were singing in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her).
However, the permissibility of music can not be justified with this Hadith. The Hadith expert, Ibn Hajr al-Asqalani has refuted this claim in length in his Fath al-Bari, 2/345).
Firstly, theses young girls were singing without any unlawful musical instruments and secondly, the content of the song was regarding war, thus perfectly lawful. Also, they were not professional singers as the words of the Hadith clearly indicate.
Some try to justify music with the Hadith in which the permissibility of playing the tambourine (daf) is mentioned.
However, as stated in the works of the Fuqaha, to play the tambourine is permissible at weddings, as it is not designed for sole entertainment and pleasure, rather for announcement, etc…
Conclusion
In the light of the above evidences from the Qur’an, sayings of our beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) and texts of the various Fuqaha, the following is the decisive ruling with regards to music:
Musical instruments that are solely designed for entertainment are unlawful, with or without singing. However, to play the tambourine (daf) at weddings (and other occasions according to some fuqaha) will be permissible.
As far as the songs are concerned, if they consist of anything that is unlawful or they prevent one from the obligatory duties, then they will be unlawful. However, if they are free from the abovementioned things (and they are not accompanied by instruments), then it will be permissible to sing them.
And Allah Knows best
(http://forums.muslimvillage.net/lofiversion/index.php/t17238.html)
I believe this is what Reza Aslan is referring to as Islamic Reformation – muslims disagreeing about how to interpret the Quran and Hadiths. Music is all around us and a part of expressing your emotions/ being human. I think Sami Yusuf is using music in such a positive light to express his love of Prophet Mohammad, PBUH and Allah (SWT). So what’s wrong with that? It is up to the rest of us to take it as it is and not go mad about it.
please see
http://www.submission.org/music.html
http://www.tijaniyya.com/music.htm
Its not rocket science, if you read the hadith mentioned above your post they are self explanitary. The translation of hadith as time moves by and the argument about taking the content for its literal meaning would not apply to those hadith. Secondly the above ruling has been agreed by most renound/known leading scholars. Ask your self what is the worst – drinking alcohol? or one that drinks alcohol whilst sitting on the mussalla? This is just an example to say that if something is forbidden why use the context of the quran and try and justify that it is rite? I think that the shaytaan is getting the better of some people. Allah SWT has given you all brains so think logically and use it. The bottom line is no matter how much youy music freaks argue the bottom line is not going to change in your favour. Peace to all of you
who are we to judge brother sami he seems to preaching allah more than any of us you talk about you don’t like his musuc let allah be the judge coz hes the one thats gonna judge us when the day comes. if you dont prefer his music you should not listen to it simple as.
I LOVE YOU SAMI
sami abi nasılsın lütfen msneni açbilirmisin allha emanet ol
I agree with u Sami Yusuf!I like ur facts and fiqures and not on assumption.We are like u dakwah thru music!
I would bett when Allah counts the sinns, sister Yvone will be the one who earned more during her life than brother Sami.
Shame on people who say bad things about him. Go and do something for Islam instead. Those sisters Yvone attacked were involved in gathering charity funds for Muslims. As for siser Yvone, the only thing she does is scream “death” instead “peace”.
Listen people. If music was haram, Allah would not have left it unprescribed with a punishment in the Quran. Surely something that is so WRONG that its strong enough to be considered HARAM would be in the quran? clearly marked with a punishment? e.g. adultry stealing n all the rest of it
If it was so important, I doubt Allah would leave us to play guessing games over it like this- the vagueness is only in unimportant matters that dont decide if you’re going to heaven or hell- hadith about music, jinn…moon sighting- this is all where common sense comes in people!
And as far as instruments are concerned
guitar- string instrument- invented in islamic spain
people, maybe string instruments werent played in the prophets day cuz they didnt EXIST back then?
logic. Muslims lack it!
Assalamualaikum,
with all due respect can we stop discussing the haramness of music? like Isa (a.s) said, “stop picking the mosquitos while swallowing the camels”
excuse my grammar at this ungodly hour; also this is a hebrew translation
leave the small issues and concentrate on the UNITY of his message
we’re all critisizing but i dont see any of us grabbing that mike and using our talents to spread Islam in a way WE think is correct
please lets be constructive and give alternatives; if we have any
Wassalam
dast xosj Sami Yusf I.m Kurdi In Duhok Iraq
dast xosj Sami Yusf I.m Kurdi In Duhok Iraq
” abdur rahman says:
June 18th, 2006 at 7:02 pm | [ Quote ]
Muslims who join the kuffar to help kill muslim are not muslim. says it right in the quran go pick it up and read it. says whpever joins the kuffar to fight the muslims is one of them.”
Wow, sounds a lot like Saudi Arabia asking kuffar to help them in the 1991 Gulf War, even though Qur’an says, “Do not take the Christians and Jews as your protectors for they are protectors of one another.”
As for scholars, Wahabis sure like to follow “modern-day scholars”. Ibn Baz, Albani, Uthaymeen (the one who said that “Allah’s istiwa means that he is sitting in person”. “The Muslims Belief” page 11)
Ibn Taymiyyah wasn’t from the first three generations either. lol. Why do you praise him then?
Why do you Wahabis reject the Madhabs? Imam Abu Hanifa, for example, is Tabi’in. Yet, you say to follow the Sahaba. Strange.
Do you know that it is impermissible in Islam to not take advice from the knowledgable? If you reject all scholars, then how can you correctly understand an ayah in Qur’an? If you have a question such as “how do we pray whilst on an airplane?”, and you don’t follow scholars, you won’t find the answer unless you ask scholars…yes, those pesky modern day scholars that you loathe so much! lol
Wahabis are in the minority. Clearly the majority of Muslims follow a madhab and Imam Abu Hanifa is one of the most popular. So is Imam Shafi’i.
Live and let live. There are plenty of scholars, such as Qaradawi (yes, I know you hate him…plenty of Wahabis have referred to him as a “dog” and “wicked mufti”). Astaghferulah.
We have come to the last days in which people ridicule scholars without having any education in fiqh.
When I converted to Islam in 1991 I hardly knew anyone who thought music was haram. Believe me, I asked around about all issues as I didn’t just blindly follow anything and still don’t today. It is mostly just the Wahabis (and I call them Wahabi because it is an insult to the pious salaf to say that only the Wahabis follow them and everyone else is Ahlul-Bid’a). Besides, Allah (swt) is satisfied with Islam as our religion. Thus our official name is “Muslim”. Not Sunni, not Shia, not “Salafi”. No. It is Muslim and that’s it.
We live in a time without a Khalifah. Better to bite the root of a tree until death overtakes you than to join any of those sects. And yes, Wahabism is a sect as anyone who has been the victim of, or read, their insults can clearly understand. Only a sect is arrogant, abusive and negative in their dawah.
Zarqawi was a terrorist. He instructed, and he himself did so, his band of thugs to cut off the heads of not just civilian contractors in Iraq, but also other Muslims.
To kill an innocent person is to kill all of mankind.
Why didn’t Zarqawi give the Americans he captured a chance to convert to Islam? It is because he was arrogant and wanted to show off how “tough” of a man he was by cutting their throats with a short bladed knife. That isn’t even the proper way to kill someone. You are supposed to use a long sword and anyway, those guys didn’t deserve to die.
Al-Qaeda is full of bid’ah. What they are doing is ruining the image of Islam in the world. They kill other Muslims and there is strong Hadith that says when two Muslims raise swords against each other and kill each other, both will go to hell.
Al-Qaeda is a cowardly organisation which uses suicide bombers to kill innocent Muslims shopping for food in Baghdad. Remember that suicide is haram and so is murder.
If they want any respect at all, they would focus their attacks on the foreign troops and cease all attacks on innocent Muslim men, women, children and elderly in crowded shopping markets.
They get a lot of their inspiration from Saudi Arabia. In fact, these deviants are being encouraged by hundreds of Saudi Imams to go Iraq and fight other Muslims and blow themselves up.
It is sick and disgusting and worse than what the Americans are doing.
The following hadith relates of how the adhan (call to prayer) came to be, and how the Prophet’s companions suggested the use of musical instruments such as the horn or bell like the People of the Book. Now although the Prophet ultimately approved the use of the human voice, there is no mention that the Prophet chastised his companions for suggesting musical instruments for the adhan. And if the Prophet was so very much against musical instruments, then why would his companions dare to suggest the use of such sinful things in the call to prayer?
From Muslim Book 004, Number 0735:
Ibn Umar reported: When the Muslims came to Medina, they gathered and sought to know the time of prayer but no one summoned them. One day they discussed the matter, and some of them said: Use something like the bell of the Christians and some of them said: Use horn like that of the Jews. Umar said: Why may not a be appointed who should call (people) to prayer? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: O Bilal, get up and summon (the people) to prayer.
Music is not haram according to these scholars who studied the hadith. Please do take the time to read this and if you don’t agree, then we’ll have to agree to disagree. Many scholars claim to have the correct interpretation of hadith.
http://www.ummahedinburgh.co.uk/articles/files/MusicinIslam.pdf
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545728
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544202
http://www.masmn.org/documents/Books/Yusuf_Al_Qaradawi/The_Lawful_and_Prohibited_in_Islam/015.htm#Singing%20and%20Music
http://www.mynaraps.com/music.htm
Sevgili Sami Yusuf ben senin Türk hayranlarının arasından en çok seni seven hayranınım kusura bakmayın özür dilerim Türkçe yazmak zorundayım.Sami Yusuf benim çok sevdiÄŸim hiç bir sanatçıya deÄŸiÅŸemediÄŸim insandır.Hem örnek kiÅŸiliÄŸi olsun hemde iyi bir insan olarak tanımlıyorum .Allah baÅŸarısına baÅŸarı katsın inÅŸalllah.Allah her daim yar ve yardımcın olsun.Allah’a emanet ol…Kendine iyi bak sen bize lazımsın…Bir tanem
SELAMUNALEYKUM.BEN TÃœRKÄ°YE’NÄ°N MERSÄ°N Ä°LÄ°NDE OTURUYORUM.SENÄ° ÇOK SEVÄ°YORUM.Ä°LAHÄ°LERÄ°NÄ° ÇOK SEVÄ°YORUM AÄžIZINDAN ÇIKAN HER KELÄ°MEYE HAYRANIM.KRAL TV YE GELÄ°NCE ÇOK SEVÄ°NDÄ°M.TEKRARA GELMENÄ° DÖRT GÖZLE BEKLÄ°YORUM.ANKARA’DA VERDİĞİN KONSER ÇOK GÃœZELDÄ° TEKRAR DÄ°NLEMEK Ä°STERÄ°M.KENDÄ°NÄ°ZÄ° ÇOK ÖZLETMEYÄ°N BEKLÄ°YORUZ…ALLAH’A EMANET OL…KENDÄ°NE Ä°YÄ° BAK.BAÅžARILARININ DEVAMINI DÄ°LÄ°YORUM YENÄ° ALBUMÃœNÃœ HEYECANLE BEKLÄ°YORUM…BAÅžKALARININ SÖYLEDİĞİ SENÄ° Ä°NCÄ°TECEK SÖZLERE KULAK ASMA OLAN SANA OLUR…SEN ÃœZÃœLÃœRSEN BENDE ÃœZÃœLÃœRÃœM. GÃœLMEK İÇİN MUTLU OLMAYI BEKLEME,BELKÄ° MUTLULUK GÃœLÜŞÜNDE SAKLIDIR VE SAKIN AÄžLAMA,SENÄ°N BÄ°R TEK GÃœLÜŞÜN İÇİN YAÅžAYAN BÄ°RÄ°SÄ° VARDIR(BEN)SENÄ° ÇOK SEVÄ°YORUM…BETÃœL&SAMÄ°
Assalamu Alykum,
I agree that music is Haram. But I also agree with brother Same Yusuf that we have to have adab (ethics) when talking to each other even when disagreement arise. I like his approach answering sister Yvonne, it is an Islamic approach and that makes people like him more, because attacking him is not an Islamic way, regardless what the mistake is. I like what one of the brothers propose to brother Sami, sing with out the instrume. Just from reading all the people’s openion makes it heavey on me personally. It was hard to process what music might lead to. I remember the Hadith of profit Mohammed Peace be upon him, “ehtharo al shobohat” Although our deen is balanced, and not makes it hard on us, but there are certain things that are clear. Many Hadiths told us in regard to music. At this point, it does not matter what scholars say today in issues that profit Mohammad peace be upon him had already told us.
I do not listen to music alhamdolelah, however, i listen to brother Sami Yusuf because I thought that some of his CDs are with out instrument. But if they all do it will be a problem. Therefore, as a Muslim we shoud give an advice to other Muslim, and at this point I would advice brother Sami not to use music in his future songs because I know brother that you have a big influence on many brothers and sister today especilly the one who live in he west, so please re visit that fatwa that that pro music said. What ever they have said to back their arguments it cannot be compaired with the oroginal hadiths from sahih Bokhary and Muslim in this matter.
Thank you and may Allah bleese you and show you the right bath and help Islam spread futher.
I also want to thank yu for the song about the Hejab. I have already used it in one of my presentations about Muslim women.
Samar
haha that was a good one
lol this guy must be pakistani lol them and there takbirs for everything lol much love man
love you
selamünaleyküm sami yusuf.çok güzel sesin ve ilahilerin var.sen desen ayr? bir güzelsin.Allah sahibine ba???las?n.
selamünaleyküm sami yusuf ilahilerin cok güzel allah sana cok güzel ses vermi? daha güzel besteler yapmay? nasip etsin ..
sami yusuf ilahilerin çok güzel.müslüman olman çok güzel bir?ey.
keske turkce bilseydin.seni yak?ndan görmekte guzel.cok uzaklarda olsanda
Fatima said:
I just want to say that Sami I am so mad at Yvonne Ridley I can’t believe he hates your songs I believe in you Sami because you changed my life I am a better muslim know then before. I wanted to say that my dad is a Mullah that means a Islamic Scholar but he doesn’t say that I can’t listen to music but I only listen to yours and other Islamic ones and I don’t dance but this person should not say that your doing this wrong and your doing that wrong he should keep to him self sami. Am I right? He is not suppose to raise your voice at you he is suppose to respect you isn’t he insulting you? I LOVE YOU SAMI AND I DON NOT WANT ME SEEING YOU GETTING HURT LIKE THAT CAUSE I CARE AND I AM YOUR MUSLIM SISTER AND PEOPLE WHO ARE FAMILY IN THIS REALIGION ARE SUPPOSE TO HELP AND PEOPLE WHO ARE FANS TO YOU! Please write comments back at my email on the top it says for my reply! I truly am worried about you sami!
may allah bless you!
Wasallamun alaikewarahmutullah wabarakatuh
Sami I want to say that you did a very good job on that article you wrote! I want to tell you to reply on my other reply that I wrote the number is 199 and here is my email:IT IS AT THE TOP OF MY REPLY!
bye
Email http://www.fshaiwany@yahoo.com
Dear, Sami
This is my email please give me a reply on the Reply #200 and Reply #199 my email is at F.s said part. Please reply to that message
Wassalamon- AlaikeWarahmutullhiwabarakatu Sami!!!
Uhh, I’m sorry to say this, but I doubt Sami Yusuf will see this. You might want to check with his official site: samiyusuf.com
Salaama Alaykum everyone!
Ok, so there’s like a million comments on this subject! It’s great to see brothers and sisters so concerned about doing the right thing and my Allah(swt) guide us all on the straight path! However I’m not much a fan of Sami Yusuf’s music, only because he uses instruments and even though he praises Allah, I still fell like I’m doing the wrong thing when I listen to his music, I love love love nasheeds but nothing comes close to the Quran, when recited beautifully, MarshaAllah! I love that nasheeds promote dhikr, especially the little kid ones! I constantly have my earphones in listening to the Quran(when reading Quran so that I HAVE to concentrate) and nasheeds all the other times, because in Melbourne (where I live! lol Australia that is, for everyone who’s wondering!) there’s ALWAYS music wherever I go and I’d rather listen to someone praising Allah in my mind than passively listening to music talking about god knows what Astaghfirulah!! I’m not a scholar or even very educated in Islam but I’ve always been taught to be safe rather than sorry, we don’t want to be standing infront of The Creator(swt) and giving excuses. I only recently stopped listening to music that is haraam as haraam can be and I’m not here to judge, only Allah(swt) can do that! So inshAllah brothers and sisters listen to your hearts, if you’re making excuses for something then you don’t feel right about it! For the brother/sister that wanted an alternative for the youth, there’s plenty of rhymes out there, ryhmes don’t have to have a beat, that’s how all the old school hip hop started! Oh and beat boxing isn’t haraam (I don’t think, please correct me if I’m wrong!), so why don’t people use that instead of instruments?! And if this ‘youth’ (which I’m part of so I’m not being mean to anyone lol) really wants to be guided to Allah (swt) then they’ll do anything to please him, right? Even if it means giving up their precious music, right? So if Allah (swt) guides them which he only can then they will want to do anything and everything to please him! I mean, Prophet Ibrahim (cs) was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail (cs) so that Allah may be pleased with him! So I think we can give up music for the pleasures of Jannah! I know I can! I think everyone should just chill and not be so mean to each other! I mean, c’mon we’re all here trying to find an answer to something scholars have struggled with for years!
Sorry for such a long comment! InshAllah people will find the time to read it! lol! May Allah reward us all! Ameen!
Peace!
P.S. to the brother who’s blog this is (I don’t know your name I’m sorry!) I went on the sites on your page! Hope that helps keep your blog going lol InshAllah! I think it’s lovely, I was looking something up on the internet and all these Islamic blogs came up, its wonderful MarshAllah! May Allah reward you all for your efforts! InshAllah! Ameen!
Re. Yvonne Ridley’s Toronto Star article Sept. 29/07.
” I embraced What I considered to be pure Islam”
I personally think Yvonne Ridley is a pure phoney person who uses any means to promote her ambition bu using Islam, I don’t think that woman is genuine at all whatsoever, all indications show that she’s completely false, she uses any religion and try to get away with it, just look at her face and you’ll know she’s the type to do so. She let her own religion down to embrace Islam? She knows she’s a liar, there’s nothing wrong with Christians and Christianity, but surely there’s truly something really wrong with her twisted disturbed mind.
salaam
brother sami,how are you i hope you are fine.God bless you and give you all the happinnes.I don’t know what to write you are doing great work for all of us.
I changed my email sami it is http://www.fatiema@yahoo.com
I changed my email sami it is http://www.fatiema@yahoo.com
well i honestly dint no abt sami yusaf until n unless i saw his interview on tv n then in sum local magazine Man! hes big!(i meant awsum) anywy i love hes music n i hope he gets more bigger world wide
……..peace!
salam sami i well be really happy to discute with yu because i want to ask yu about many things now im mohtajeba but i have problem with omi she refuse my hijab. im mariam from morocco
selamu alejkum,zoti jua shperblefte per ilahijut tuaja…
salammalekom
brother sami yusuf how are uuuu .u are the best .and i like ur songs they are very good like u allah haiz,have a great day sami your frined arozo from sweden
Dear Yusuf Islam,
A’salaam aleikum. I know everyone wants your help, your time, your money, you thoughts, your words – and of course, your music. Some are more deserving and needy than others. Would you be prepared to help Afghanaid in its efforts to help Afghans in the poorest, most remote ‘forgotten provinces’ stand on their own feet and live with dignity? Afghanaid comprises around 450 Afghan staff. They build bridges across rivers so poor farmers can reach markets with their harvests, they provide farmers with hardy seed to withstand drought, they train village vet assistants who innoculate livestock against disease, they build micro hydro-electric schemes so remote villages can have power and light and kids can do their homework in the dark winters, they train women to weave (and give them the necessary equipment) so they can make and sell goods as well as train families to grow garden produce…and they provide farmers with the know-how to build bee colonies for honey. they also help villages develop reserves of wheat against bad times. it isn’t about handouts. It’s about building self-sustaining communities and raising living standards.
Please help Afghanaid. You will find them at afghanaid.org.uk or call 020 7065 0825.
I hesitate to ask you to dedicate a song to Afghans and their country, or maybe agree to have a photo-shoot with Afghan kids…or maybe even 9dare I ask) a concert???? Or just the words “I support Afghanaid” along with a smile…
Many thanks.
John
PS. I don’t work for Afghanaid – I just think the work they do is great and the war against poverty in the remote areas of Afghanistan is ignored by the mainstream media.
Salam everyone!
I just wanna say that I’m a little bit confused..you’ll see..I’m preparing to become a complete islamic girl..besides my family’s opinion I believe in the Islam and that It is the true religion..It’s been difficult for me because my family has a different opinion, they don’t attack me but they don’t support me either..Alhamdulillah I have many friends, brothers and sisters who are teaching me and guiding me through this wonderful religion..and of course the courage that ALLAH gives me…
so, my doubt is that if I can listen to Sami Yusuf’s songs and still be a good muslim..cause I have to admit that his songs has helped me to overcome those difficult times and be strong in my conviction..I love them and I think he does a beautiful job, by the way Congratulations from me Sami, you really have influenced me, even in my learning with the Arab language and I am grateful to you for that, I love you deeply in a righteous way of course…anyway, as I was telling you I’m confused cause I can’t change the fact of the influence of the music in me and I think it has nothing wrong to listen music that supports our religion and increases our love to ALLAH but at the same time I wanna know if doing this I’m still a rightful and righteous muslim..Can someone help me please? I’d really appreciate it!…
Thanks to all for read me.
ALLAHU AKBAR!
hi foever freind ………………………………..*sami yusuf*
please reply ………all kurdish like you
hi sami really doubt ur gonna read this but ah well no harm in givin it a try jus wanted to say tht really preciate wt ur doin ur work is mashallah very melodic n so is ur voice may allah be please with us
assalomu aleykum va rahmatullohu va barakatuhu…
Allaha emanet ol! her yaptigin isin hayirli olsun!! best wishes BAKTYBEK/KYRGYZSTAN
hello! sami u are doing the BEST!!! for muslim people it is very useful to increase our religion u know that only i can wish only good luck to u!!!
Well,
Assalamu alaikum.
There is a hadith,”When you want to criticize someone, never take his name infront of people. As this might hurt his self-respect”
The people who themselves have self-respect and respect for others, never humiliate any person of their own religion.
What this journalist did seems pretty much of a personal attack to me.
I am not judging her in any sense but my mind cant accept that in a society where we have problems of girls being abused, children dying cos of hunger and young Muslims being misleaded by the western media. How can one take an issue against a Muslim.
While we dont have an answer about darfur, how can we comment on Sami Yusuf.
While we cant do anything for Palestine, how can we criticize a person supporting the ‘Muslims under oppression.’
He might not have given an evidence but i ask about that how can you deny the ‘fact’ that many persons are now good Muslims after listening to his nasheeds “with music”. And I dont have a problem saying I listen to his nasheeds and became much closer to Allah in an age where children still are finding thier way.
MAY THIS UMMAH UNITES AGAIN
Sorry if i hurt someone, i dont intend to.
Fi aman Allah
Dears,
First of all I have to say that I respect Sami Yusuf, estimate him a lot. Dears, Islam is beautiful religion…Like Sami said once: “ALLAH is beautiful and HE loves beauty”. Please, take Sami’s cd and hear it, you will see what is in his sentences, in his songs. And then tell me is it haram, is it something what is bad for our religion? One beautiful thing which love Islam, which express Islam, can’t be haram…Sami, don’t give up never because everybody who hear your voice and words becoming much better prayer and with so much love for our ALLAH, Prophet (s.a.v.s.) and humankind. ALLAH bless you
salam,
look guys listen to me, alcahol is forbidden and haram and has been mentioned in the Quran, as for the music it has not been mentioned.
and now listen to me, i read a hadith in sahi bukhari which stated that ot was the day of eidul fitr and there were some small girls playing an instrument or singing, dats wen Hazrat Abu Bakr RA comes in and says that the sound of devil being played in Allah’s Messenger’s house?
but Prophet SAW told him to leave it and said its eid, and every religion have their occasion and this is our occasion”
look haram and halal has been very clearly been said in the Quran, all i came across is just one hadith which stated that some ppl will make the use of alcahol and musicla instruments legeal and from them will be some people who will be by he fountaina dn their shepherd boy will come to them and aks for something, they wil ask him to go away and come some other time, these will be transformed into pigs and monkeys”
this is the only hadith i came across, yes this refeence of hadith has never bn given in the context of music but only been given for Alcahol.
now if u really want to be sure, go pray a 2 rakat of istikhara and ask Allah to help you with this. its that simple.
and stop fighting on these issue, wat is important is to follow Allah and His Messenger SAW, and those who do not listen as Prophet SAW did not then yes that is considered to be a legal statement.
Never knew the Musician are the scholars now. This is sign of end of times. And you find the Muslims looking to the Musicians for knowledge.
Concerning the Hadeeths ”Whoever Listens to a Female Singer” And ”Music Makes Hypocrisy Grow”
Question:
I read in a Hadeeth that the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever listens to a female singer, then molten lead will he poured into his ears.” And another Hadeeth: “Music makes hypocrisy grow in the heart just as water makes grass grow. Are these Hadeeths authentic? And what is the ruling regarding someone who hears singing in a car or in a gathering, when he does not have the ability to turn it off?
Answer:
Listening to a voice implies that one is listening carefully, concentrating on what he is listening to. So in the case of singing, listening to it implies that one is listening carefully and concentrating on it.
As for hearing, it could be on purpose, the same as listening carefully and concentrating, in which case it is also called listening, and the same judgements apply. On the other hand, hearing could occur without it happening on purpose, without concentrating on the voice, then it is not called listening and the judgements related to listening do not apply.
Accordingly, listening to what the questioner mentioned, different types of singing, is unlawful for anyone who concentrates on it. This is the case, be it a man, a woman, in the home, or not in the home, in the car, or in gatherings, large or small. It is the same, whenever one chooses to do so, and is inclined to participate in what is unlawful according to the Shari’ah.
Allaah Almighty said:
æóãöäó ÇáäøóÇÓö ãóä íóÔúÊóÑöí áóåúæó ÇáúÍóÏöíËö áöíõÖöáøó Úóä ÓóÈöíáö Çááøóåö ÈöÛóíúÑö Úöáúãò æóíóÊøóÎöÐóåóÇ åõÒõæðÇ ÃõæáóÆößó áóåõãú ÚóÐóÇÈñ ãøõåöíäñ
“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk (Lahwul-Hadeeth) to mislead men from the path of Allaah without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment.” [Luqman 31:6]
The singing that the questioner mentioned is part of Lahwul-Hadeeth. It tempts heart, and it leads it to evil, taking it away from good, and causing people to waste their time. So because of this it falls under the general meaning of Lahwul-Hadeeth, it is the same for one singing and the one who listens to singing, all of them fall under the general category of purchasing Lahwul-Hadeeth and misleading others from the path of Allaah. So there is prohibition and a warning of a sever punishment for doing so.
Just as the prohibition of singing and listening to it is proven in the Qur’aan, so too has the Sunnah. The Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,
áíßæää ãä ÃãÊí ÃÞæÇã íÓÊÍáæä ÇáÍÑ æÇáÍÑíÑ æÇáÎãÑ æÇáãÚÇÒÝ æáíäÒáä ÃÞæÇã Åáì ÌäÈ Úáã íÑæÍ Úáíå ÈÓÇÑÍÉ áåã íÃÊíåã íÚäí ÇáÝÞíÑ áÍÇÌÉ ÝíÞæáæÇ ÇÑÌÚ ÅáíäÇ ÛÏÇ ÝíÈíÊåã Çááå æíÖÚ ÇáÚáã æíãÓÎ ÂÎÑíä ÞÑÏÉ æÎäÇÒíÑ Åáì íæã ÇáÞíÇãÉ
“There will be from my Nation a people who will deem fornication, silk (for men), alcohol, and music to be permissible; and there will be a people who will camp beside a high mountain, when a poor man passes by them and asks for a need, they will say to him, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ In the morning Allaah will make the mountain fall upon them and the others (who are saved) are transformed into apes and pigs, until the Day of Judgement.” (Al-Bukhari no. 5990)
Music is the use of instruments of Lahw, and part of this is singing and listening to it. So Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) condemned those who seek to legalize fornication, the use of silk for men, drinking alcohol, and such entertainment instruments and listening to them. Here he accompanied music with other major sins. In the end of the Hadeeth he threatened those who do that with a punishment.
This shows that listening to music is unlawful. But a person is not sinning when he accidentally listens to music, such as a person who is walking in the street and hears music being played in stores, or in a car, as long as he does not desire to listen to it. Such a person is not sinning because he has no choice; however, he must advise and warn those who are playing the music, he must do so with wisdom and good exhortation. And should avoid as much as possible going to places where music is played, and Allaah does not place a burden on a soul greater than it can bear.
A group of scholars use authentic proofs and then follow that with narrations that have some weakness in their chains of narration, or from the view of proving the objective. There is nothing wrong in this because they mention these narrations as secondary, narrations to be reflected upon, but they depend entirely on authentic Hadeeth for proof. An example of this regarding singing and listening to it, where scholars first mention the authentic narrations and then mention narrations that are weak. Here are some examples of the weak narrations:
1) Al-Hakim At-Tirmithi related from Abu Musa Al-’Ashari that the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,
ãä ÇÓÊãÚ Åáì ÕæÊ ÛäÇÁ áã íÄÐä áå Ãä íÓãÚ ÇáÑæÍÇäííä
(ÞÑÇÁ Ãåá ÇáÌäÉ)
“Whoever listens to the sound of singing will not be permitted to listen to the spirits in Paradise.” (Kanzu ‘Ummal no. 40660, 400666 and Qurtubi no. 14/53-54)
2) Ibn ‘Asakir relates from Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,
ãä ÇÓÊãÚ ÞíäÉ ÕÈ Ýí ÃÐäíå ÇáÂäß íæã ÇáÞíÇãÉ
“Whoever listens to a female singer, molten lead will be poured into his ears on the Day of Judgement.” (Dha’ifu-Jami’ As-Saghir Lil-Albani no. 5410 and Ad-Dha’ifah no. 4549)
3) In Thamm Al-Malahi Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya’ relates from Ibn Mas’ud a saying of the Prophet:
ÇáÛäÇÁ íäÈÊ ÇáäÝÇÞ Ýí ÇáÞáÈ ßãÇ íäÈÊ ÇáãÇÁ ÇáÈÞá
“Singing makes hypocrisy to grow in the heart like water makes herbs grow.” (Al-Baihaqi 10/223 and Abu Dawud no. 4927)
4) Al-Bayhaqi related from Jabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,
ÇáÛäÇÁ íäÈÊ ÇáäÝÇÞ Ýí ÇáÞáÈ ßãÇ íäÈÊ ÇáãÇÁ ÇáÒÑÚ
“Singing makes hypocrisy to grow in the heart like water makes plants grow.” (Shua’bul-Iman no. 5100)
All of these Hadeeths are weak, but just because they are weak doesn’t affect the ruling on singing and on listening to singing; both are unlawful because of other authentic proofs from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. And with Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right.
Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7, Pages 188-189, DARUSSALAM
http://www.islamhouse.com/p/48659
salam `alaykum :
for those of you objecting on the beard and music :
See Imam Abd al-Ghani Nablusi (r)’s book on music
also see the views of Shaykh Ghulam Rasul Sa`idi (db) , Shaykh Muhammad Zahid al-Kawthari (r), and Shaykh al-Islam Dr. Tahir al-Qadiri (db) on the beard
Wassalam
i just dont get what others are talking about .Iam with Sami Yusuf and with MR too.always i will be iam really against yvonne ridley and who ever is with them.Sami Yusuf you ‘re really cute and i like u ur son gs bye
Assalam u alaikum.
Just wanted to say, How can we think that a fatwa “launched” is 100% true and will be followed?
There is a fatwa by Mufti Bin baz..
he said,”It is haram to use “sayyidina” before the name of Holy Prophet peace be upon him.”
The whole arab world, including our very dear scholars use Sayyidina Muhammad (PBUH) Sayyidina Ibrahim and with all of them.
I know I am off topic but I believe it is good to just stay in a moderate role while you are a Muslim…
As we already have had enough of west calling us terrorist..And lets listn to Muslims insulting other Muslims.
may ALLAH help and bless us all
Fi aman ALLAH
assalamu alaykum
Maryam Ahmad, Sister yes you are off topic because from Quran and Sunnah and the Saying of Prophet Muhammad sallahu wa alayhe wa sallam. Music is haraam. You can find in the hadeeth books of Imam Bukharee rahimallah. Imam Muslim rahimallah Imam Sunnah Abu Dawud rahimallah Imam Thirmide rahimallah. and the other scholars of their times as Imam Abu Hanifa rahimallah and Imam Malik rahimallah imam Shafe Rahimallah and Imam Ahmad rahimallah and from those who were their students all say Music is haraam. So if you want to say Shaykh Abdul Azeez bin Baz rahimallah is incorrect you did not come with no proof. When all the scholar I quote from Say MUSIC IS HARAAM! There No Proof from no saheeh hadeeth that Music is Halaal you can not bbring one hadeeth that say this. dont matter wanter water down sufi scholar lies they say.
aAnd
A
Brother Abu Muslim..
Thanks for even reading my reply…i wasnt expecting that anyone bothers here to read each other replies..
anyways ..
DID I GIVE A HADITH SAYING MUSIC IS HALAL ANYWAY?????
I mean in my last post i wasnt even talking about music brother.
Believe me, wallahi i respect you..
But i just want to say that all this fight of scholars, issues, insultt..it has lead me to question my faith seriously.
I am not lying..
Only the songs of Sami Yusuf made me realize i can be anyne…but GOD will still love me as I am HIS creation..
I have starting working for Islam through all sources poosible..
I started loving my hijab.
I started saying prayers a bit regularly..
I started giving charity.. Id it wasnt an awakening then this is no miracle..
As miracles dont happen now..
I know how it feels to have an opposition..
But I am what I am..And I guess I wont ever raise that question in my mind ever whether music is halal or not..
Our on family members, even us, we dont say prayers that often..
Fasting seems a problem to us as we have a busy “schedule”
Hajj..Who goes to that?? it takes looooots of money..
Umrah..ya when i was 5 i did that…THIS IS US! NOWADAYS MUSLIMS!!!!
So what if someone comes up and makes us realize that ..ya 5 times prayer is obligatory..
Hajj is must in a lifetime..
Umrah..thats must to refresh and clean your faith..
Fasting..BEST PART OF THE YEAR!
Changing minds isnt easy bro..And be sure Sami Yusuf got my support as he changed MY LIFE..and I am saying him because I love him..
But because he is not a terrorist..he is not an actor working with ladies..
But he is a young MUSLIM who is proud of his religion.
“being practical is better than being emotional”
GOD bless you..
I am having exams please pray for me.
And we better not fight in this issue as it might hurt anyone
Fi aman ALLAH
and I am saying him because I love him..sorry i wrote wrong in this line..
I was saying,”I am NOT saying it because I love him but because he is not a terrorist……..”
Sorry my mistake
Fi aman ALLAH
Just one last thing.
Have anyone ever noticed the language Muslims use?
i mean i was just reading a comment and the poster used quite an unacceptable word for the letter of Sami Yusuf.
The brother who runs this blog.can u edit that if i ask..as whatever music be..but using bad language for a Muslim’s word isnt allowed for sure.
I came across with many other websites who literally insult Muslims..
From where did this concept arise?? I mean isnt Bush enough to make us all mad..that now we have started going against each other rather than clearing confusions and going to somewhere where we can LIVE?? literally live???? i guess not!!
Anyways GOD bless you all
and i may not reply anymore bro Abu Muslim as I already have a problem of my exams..and soooo many other things that a Muslim teenager does!!!
Fi aman ALLAH
Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahamtullahi wa Barakatuhu.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.understand-islam.net%2FArticles%2FALookatNasheed.pdf&ei=EtbqR5DOG4rOed-1ye4L&usg=AFQjCNH4xi7i16hJiSCI9emVsF7fqcox8A&sig2=NNU35fUB2EJCXgTVTtnufA
Sister Maryam Ahmad, you stated ” Only the songs of Sami Yusuf made me realize i can be anyne…but GOD will still love me as I am HIS creation..”
This is a real Problem when we taking the Music as gudience over the Quran. Many verse in the Quran show you that you are Allah creation. If this was so Allah would made music halaal. We have to Look into the quran and sunnah only for guidence. Some nasheed are halaal some are haraam and we find today, Muslims listening to Nasheed more then listing ot the quran. One might say well i do not understand the quran and they spend their time listing to these nasheed please read the link above about nasheeds in islam.
ijk
A Look at Anasheeds
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I begin to write:
In pre-Islamic and early Islamic history, anasheeds involved wholesome poems (about battle victories, wisdoms, courage, etc) chanted in an un-orchestrated fashion without the accompaniment of musical instruments, except for the duff (similar to tambourine but without bells or cymbals) which was legally permitted for women on special occasions. During the 2nd century after Hijrah, chanting of du’aa, remembrances, crept into the ummah by the innovations of the mystic Sufis who, in turn, took it from the Christians. It was then called at-Taghbeer. All of these forms were denounced by the early scholars of Islam, including Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee, Ibn Taymmeyah, Ibnul Qayyim, Ibn Katheer, Ibn Rajab, and many others.1 The Sufis centered most of their methodology of worship on congregational Taraaneem (singing by way of trilling, or quavering and prolonging the voice with a musical sound), resembling the Christians in their churches. Then the Sufis began to introduce physical movements during remembrances and du’aa close to those practiced by the Jews. Rarely do you witness a Sufi “Hadrah2″ without these innovated practices.
Nowadays, the matter is not limited to the Sufi adepts. Many Muslim parties (groups) have innovated special bands for the emotional arousing of their followers and for the “ummah” at large! Much of what is being practiced with these anasheed does not escape, at least, one of the following observations:
1See Al-Qawlul Mufeed fee Hukmil-anasheed (including the fatwa of the reliable contemporary scholars of Islam). Authored by ‘Isaam Ibn ‘Abdul Mun’im al-Mir-ree (1423/2002), Maktabatu al-Furqaan, Ujmaan, UAE.
2Hadrah: Presence. Used by the Sufis in its general meaning, “Being in the presence of Allah.” In the school of mystic Ibn ‘Arabi, however, there are “Five Divine Presences,” a metaphysical doctrine of the degrees of reality of which there are different versions. This concept is influenced by the Neo-Platonist chain of “Stages or Orders of Being.” [See Mu’jam Al-Mustalahaat As-Sufiyyah by Al-Hafnee, p. 237 and Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam, p. 125, edited by H.A.R. Gibb and J.H. Kramers, 4th impression, 1995. Published by E.J. Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands.] The Mureed is informed that the Hadrah is the start, then the Mukaashafah (Mystic spiritual revelation regarding the Truth [Allah] and the Ghayb (unseen). Through this stage, things will be manifested as if he sees them by his eyes). The next state is the Mushaahadah (Witnessing of the Truth). Sufi singing, clapping, and swaying accompanied by drum beats is part of the “ritual”! Some of the mystics also claim the actual attendance of the Prophet (?) in their circles!
1. Involving more and more people, especially children, keeping them busy with what could be, least to say, of a lesser benefit.
2. Anasheed are accompanied with musical toning and chanting (Eastern and Western beats) in the name of “culture” and “tradition.” This is becoming more and more apparent, with bands competing in their selection of words and beats.
3. Remembrances of Allah are introduced in these anasheed in ways clearly resembling the intoning and chanting of the Christians in their churches.
4. The congregational chanting and singing that takes place resembles to a great extent that which goes on in the circles of the mystic Sufis in their singing circles. Former “stars” are being more involved with the mystic Sufi ways through so-called “Islamic anasheed.” Some bands sing the infamous Shirk poem known as “Burdah,” which involves shirk levels of exaggeration in the status of the Prophet Muhammad (?).
5. Luring the children to sing, especially the young girls, imitating the base of the infamous Muslim and Non-Muslim singers.
6. Replacing the Qur‘aan with the so-called anasheed in the Da’wah to the young, claiming that they don’t respond to the Qur‘anic texts, therefore, legitimizing their use. The same is done with the Sunnah, eventually turning people away from what constitutes the true life for the believers.
7. In many of these singing circles, musical instruments and intoning are gradually taking hold, something known to be forbidden in Islam, except for the duff for women.
8. The emergence of so-called professional singing groups performing at weddings, parties, schools and the like.
9. Development of so called more advanced ways of video singing as a modern way of contemplating and reflecting on the creation of Allah.
10. Allowing taking pictures of young girls during different presentations of songs in itself is a fitnah (affliction and trial) and
an opposition to the Sahree’ah. Some make movies and records of these young girls singing on special occasions.
11. Many things that are untrue are presented in these songs through acting, or through exaggeration in praise.
12. If you examine many of these songs, you will find a lot of them focusing on the Tawheed of Lordship only, something even the Mushriks confess to (i.e. matters pertaining to the signs of Allah in the creation, His running of the affairs, Him being in full authority and the like).
13. Transgression against the Sharee’ah in the form of acting roles. You see a child taking the role of Salah, saying, “I am the Salah, and these are my merits!” Another takes the role of Fasting and so on. Worst of all those who claim to represent the Qur’aan. Yet we know that the Qur‘aan is the uncreated Speech of Allah.
14. Assuming in some cases the movements and walks of some of the losers from the known male and female singers. Imagine when this is done while chanting the remembrances of Allah!
15. Calling these anasheed Islamic itself is a transgression, especially when they call it an “art” and a means of education and nourishment for the Da’wah! “This is an innovation in Deen, and this from the deen of the innovators of the Sufis.”3 The companions chanted poetry of wisdom, courage, generosity and of maroo’ah (describing good character), and not in congregations. They chanted poetry sometimes while working or during night travel. None of them claimed this “Islamic.” Rather, everything takes its own particular ruling, whether it is innovated, allowable, recommended, obligated, disliked or forbidden. Therefore, that which may be allowable of it we don’t call “Islamic” because if it is called so, people would think it to be from the Deen. And to label any matter as Islamic, requires textual proofs.4 In fact, Sh. Al-Albani (rahimahullaah) referred to them as “Sufi singing”, and a similar conclusion was reached by Sh. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Aal Ash-Shaikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, as well as by Sh. Bakr Abu Zayeed and Sh. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Ar-Raajhi and other scholars (may Allah preserve them all).5
3See Fatwa of Sh. Saalih Al-Fawzaan, may Allah Preserve him, in al-Khutab al-Manbariyyah 3: 184-185.
4See Sh. Al-Fawzaan, Ibid, p. 56.
5 Ibid. pages, 32, 49, 62-68.
The following question was raised to our Skaykh Muhammed Ibn Saaleh al-‘Uthaimeen (Rahimuhullaah):
“What is the ruling concerning the anasheeds? Is it permissible for the Caller to Allah to listen to “Islamic anasheed”?”
The Shaykh responded, “In the past, I listened in the past to these Islamic anasheed and there was nothing therein which shuns away. After listening to them recently, I found them to be rhythmic with delectation and entertaining, like the songs accompanied with musical instruments. Accordingly, I don’t see that it is permissible for people to listen to them. However, if they come natural without musical accompaniment and without delectation or entertainment, then there is no harm in listening to them. Still, however, it is conditional that:
(i) the person does not make this a habit listening to them all the time, and
(ii) make not that which benefits and admonishes the heart restricted to them.
Because if he makes of this a habit, he will abandon that which is more important. Moreover, in doing so he will relinquish the greatest admonition and it is that which came in the Book of Allah and in the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger. But if he listens to them sometimes, or if takes them as a means of help on his journey while driving his care in the wilderness, then there is no harm in that.”6
Then he was asked, “Is it permissible for the man to chant the Islamic anasheed and is it permissible that the duff, which is the tambourine without any of these bells attached to it, is it permissible to use the duff with the chanting and is the chanting or the anasheed permissible in other than the Eed and other than the festivals?”
The answer: “Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem, In the Name of Allah The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful”, then he returned the greeting to the person who asked the Question, and said: “The Islamic anasheed is an innovated chanting innovated by the Sufis. Therefore, one should turn away from it and resort to the admonitions from the Qur‘aan and Sunnah, unless it is used in the battlefields to help as a motivation for Jihaad in the
6See As-Sahwah Al-Islamiyyah Dhawaabit wa Tawjeehaat, a collection of fatwa and statements by our Sh. Ibn ‘Uthaimeen compiled by Abu Anas, ‘Ali Ibn Hasan Abu Lawz (1414/1993), p. 123, no. 40.
cause of Allah, the Most High, then this is good, however, if it accompanied with the duff, then it would be far away from the truth.”7
Moreover, on several occasions, he (rahimahullaah) directed the people to give the best of attention to the Qur’aan and Sunnah, since they are the greatest admonitions.
A special warning concerning the infamous Burdah poem of Al-Busiri: It is plain shirk because it exaggerates the Prophet (?) giving him attributes of divinity, as if he knows the unseen and what is written in the preserved tablet. So much of this, unfortunately, is spread throughout the Muslim world and particularly in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia. Think about it. Moreover, they have musical groups in these countries only specialized to sing these poems, especially the “Burdah”. In some recent forms, it is “recited by Khalid Belrhouzi featuring Yusuf Islam (yes!) This is an ad on the net carrying the title:
Burdah (audio tape) Khalid Belrhouzi and Yusuf Islam (Arabic + English)8
It is stated in this poem, among other things, that ‘And of your knowledge is the knowledge of the pen and the preserved tablet’! The “pen” refers to the pen which Allah ? commanded it saying: “Write! It said, ‘What should I write, my Rabb (Lord)? Allah said: Write the record of all preordained matter until the commencement of the Hour.”9 According to this poet, the Prophet (?) knows what the pen already wrote and what is written in the preserved tablet. We seek refuge in Allah from these fabrications.
I ask Allah ? to guide us all to the truth and to make us accept and yield to it.
The slave of Allah,
Saleh As-Saleh.
Concluded on the 14th of Thul Hijjah 1425,
Corresponding to January 24, 2005.
Acknowledgment: May Allah reward sis Umm Maahir al-Amreekiyyah for voluntarily transcribing this material which was originally a response to a question about anasheed in the room “Understanding Islam.”
7Fatwa al-’Aqeedah, no. 369m p. 651, Maktabatu As-Sunnah,
8Source: http://onlineislamicstore.com/a3683.html. This is for verification only, and not an endorsement of the site. Rather, I caution not to posses this poem, due to the warnings cited above. May Allah guide them both to the truth and save all Muslims from all forms of mysticism and innovations. Aameen.
9Saheeh Al-Bukhari, V.4, P.9, Hadeeth 13.
wa alaikum as Salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu..
Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Right above that line i wrote,”the fight of schlars issues has lead me to question my faith.”
And I say be practical rather than being emotional..so while i was soo confused about my faith..do you think i could ever go to Recite Qur’an? I am a simple girl in my teens..and my questionoing could have lead to the wrong path!!
And I said when I listened to a young person like me about Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him..then i realized that this is my destiny..ISLAM is what i have been given..I wont go for anything like facebook, making boyfriends…but i would go for work as a Muslim..
I would try to make everyone think that”you are a Muslim, you should proud to beone.”
And tell me..how many Muslim youngsters you know who work and are prod of Islam??? to be honest and its a fact…not even 50%
may ALLAH help and guide us all..and I understand the Qur’an very well ALHAMDULILLAH and I litsne and recite it quite often..i dont have to prove or show it..This is between me and ALLAH the Almighty..I am answerable to him not this blog seriously!!
GOD bless you and all my prayers are with you
Your sister
Maryam
Fi aman ALLAH
No you do not have to answe tot his Blog, because this blog or this page is nothing. And this website might confuse people more then it guide people. But if you looking for a answer in Life turn to Quran and the Seerah of Muhammad sallahu wa alayhe a sallam for guidiience not music of this blog or this website.
ok just for a minute i accept what you say..
But wait!! Everything we have in Islam has a logic behind that.
from prhibition of alcohol to ablution..
So what about the “belove” issue Music??
how canbe anything that reminds you of your prayer and GOD be wrong or as an fatwa haram????
and I have came across many NON MUSLIMS asking me questions of why this why that..hamdulillah i was able to answer them myself..ALL PRAISE TO ALLAH
What if someone asks me give me a logic behind nasheeds of Sami Yusuf being haram??
he made you think of Islam..you work for Islam now so how can it be haram???
Take care
Fi aman ALLAH
jazak ALLAH brother..
Wallahi our life, our words dont count…the only thing that couts is what we are??
And the only thing is,”WE ALL ARE MUSLIMS”
So we better not disunite on this issue. I have a strong faith in one GOD and insha ALLAH i want to see all Muslims in paradise with just one belief “LA ILLAH ILLA ALLAHu MUHAMMADan RASUL ALLAH”
And i wish my life doesnt go wasted insha ALLAH..
Just pray to ALLAH that HE makes mine and your life better as a Muslim and as workers for Islam insha ALLAH
GOD bless you
Fi aman ALLAH
sister you can sit here and say what ever you want. But one thing you cant never do. You can never change this relgion. Allah and His prophet sallahu wa alayhe wa sallam makes it haraaam. end of arguement. You can sit and lie and tell the kafirs what ever you want them to hear. But Islam still Make it Haraaam. Because Music get people away from Allah and Islam. And also Quran just like you said you listen to Sami Yusuf you could not read the quran. So your Statement is proof. This Music get you away from Quran. this was your statement “But i just want to say that all this fight of scholars, issues, insultt..it has lead me to question my faith seriously.
I am not lying
Only the songs of Sami Yusuf made me realize i can be anyne…but GOD will still love me as I am HIS creation..” This was your statement sister. you want Guidence stick to Quran. If you understood quran correct you know Music haraam. You would not that leaving for the quran will misguide you. even now Hadeeth are many say Music haraam Sami Yusuf have many things about his songs that are haraam. We dont look at his message. We look what ALLAH AND HIS MESSGER SAY. simple dont make it hard and if non muslim ask you say its not halaal and give them the reasons why its haram Now there are some nasheed that are halaal with out the music interments and Nasheed was Use only in time of Jihad, weedings and eid. abut the playing of the duff that is what halaal.
Respected brother. Still your words wont change what I believe. As you are totally going for a fight and I will close this website wil go to sleep but wont come to fight as this is not what i am.
I know and I have very much of an idea how to call bad words, using harsh language for someone who is younger/older than you.
How to disrespect human beings. I know to do all this. BUT I DONT.
As this is not what ALLAH has made us.
For my comment.
AGAIN I SAY I STICK TO THAT AND I DONT HAVE A PROBLEM saying that when I had such a big confusion problem..
I was recommended 10000000 times that listn to this scholar, do this do that..nobody said recite Qur’an…let me think..people dont recite themselves..
I was 13 or may be 14 nnow i am 16..!!! do you think a 13 year old will have THIS MUCH KNOWLEDGE that she will RUN towards Qur’an this fast?? never!!
Then..I DID EVERYTHING..And I ended up with millions of questions that still remain unanswered..
One scholar says,”talking to opposite gender is haram. no matter what the source is..” I wont mention his name..
But what are we doing now????
Talking…so we are doing something haram..
Ok forget this one..
In the time of HOLY PROPHET peace be upon him there were no computers..
No keyboards, no mobiles..
So howcome someone cann allow doing da’wa through these things?
The wives of Holy Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him never wore the clothes we do..so howcame they be allowed?
And calling me a LIAR!!
thats what you said..i am not lying..
Did i tell you any issue i discussed with non Muslims??
Did I call them Kafir?? or did i even say i made them stop or more rude?
I didnt even tell you the situation bro..
You cannot just assume in a minute whats the other person doing saying..
And I can sit here and lie…all right..
I wont sit here..but howcome you get a “right” to call me a liar?? do you know me? Have I met you? or do I have your phone number to talk to you and lie…i dont have this much of time for even lying bro….i will close the website and wont bother to open again.
But whats the good we both did? had a fight on a website which many people wont even know about..
To clear your cute confusion again..
I DIDNT SAY SAMI YUSUF IS MORE THAN ANYTHING
But he made me “realize” (dont forget to see its meanig in dictionary) WHAT ISLAM IS!
I was totally out of my mind in those days..confused just because of human beings who love leading youth to confusion.
I cold have given a diplomatic answer to make you happy..but hypocisy is haram too you know!! And I am (again) answerable to ALLAH not this website, not Sami Yusuf, nor you!! ok??
THATS ALL
Still confused? Ask ALLAH to help you and dont forget to pray for me and my exams..As Simple as THAT!
Still I dont hate you or wont call you liar etc. As you are a Muslim and i guess elder than me so respect is obligatory
Fi aman ALLAH
inshallah i believe you will benfit more from the Quran this music or even this website so yes close this site and open quran. Inshallah read quran with tafsir from ibn Kathir rahimallah and learn the wisdom and guidence from it and see how you can follow them in your life to make you more a better person and get you into jannah.
GOD bless you..and again dont forget to remember me in prayers…who is worng who is right ALLAH knows!! But praying for a Muslim sister isnt worng..so
Just ask ALLAH to guide us all and help us all through everything
FI aman ALLAH
yes and you like wise.
Sami Yusuf pls don’t mind if you don’t like my request.I had a request that can you pls come to Maldives to perform a live show here.I will not mind if you dont want to come either.just I had a and always will have this request.I just want to see you by my eyes [by face to face not by photographs] before i die.My mother wont send me wher you are having a live show cause i am just 11.I would really be glad to see Sami Yusuf.
your’s faithfully
-Rayya-
i want a comment from you too.pls
my S Y R stands for Sami Yusuf Rayya [my name].
Dear sis, most likely sami yusuf wont be reading these comments. If he is, good for him.
but i believe you should post all these and other requests on his website; the official one or official faneclub
Thats all
GOD bless you
Fi aman ALLAH
salam, im not maryam ahmad by the day im, maryam nadeem,
okay listen up people,
“stop fighting on topics we dont have any knowledge about. we are only at the stage of learning and discussing topics like these may get us on the wrong track most probably thru fights as u can see above”
second,
“do not make haram what is halal for you, and do not make halal what is halal for you”
“if music was “haram” like in a very big sense, Allah would have told us like He told us about all the other, if it is forbidden by our Prophet SAW and or disliked, that is another thing, but don’t say haram things are these these and these knowing for a fact it has been told us in the Quran by Allah.
but i am not against that music leads to the wrong things, it makes you think thoughts which usually nobody thinks about.
what i mean to say is, “if u guys dont like music being played where ppl take Allah’s names then here u have Dawood Ali songs, yusuf islam songs, and if you dont want to because you dont “have” to listen to these songs, u can just recite and litsen to quran recitation- isnt this simple?
and once again if any one is going on the wrong path, we have a way of asking Allah for the right thing right, as i mentioned before isthikara…heard of it?….yeah so just offer 2 raka of it and recite the dua of it and ask Allah for help” end this topic here and leave i.
hope Allah guides all of us towards the straight path inshAllah-Aameen!
and how much will u guys be giving credits to yuone and sami. if some one is wrong just correct them and ur job finsihes there, i mean trying ur level best with ur IKHLAQ..now i did not find that any where in the letter written for sami, and simply follow the rightly guided, our Prophet SAW, and his companions- thats about all, but please dont make things haram for u with out having the knowledge of it!. abide by what is halal for u, ur heart doesnt agree dont listen and u think some one else is wr9ong just tel him or pray for him, to make him come on the straight way is not ur job, cuz Allah wills who ever He wants to be on the right Path, our job is to convey the message, but message to be conveyed in a good mannered way, so that tye othe rperson breaks down and listens to u.
Salam alaikum
Well I am Maryam AHMAD and dont have a problem saying that!!
I agree with the sis above and she is right..!! But the only thing is..
Who cares what you do what you dont??? I mean how many people daily visit this webssite? ok for instance 100…may be 50% of them believe music is allowed but what if the other 50% dont??? these 100 should start fighting or start calling each other liars or what??
And dear sis maryam, for your last line…well said..but I guess politeness dosnt matter nowadays…As when people start assuming and judging wrongly the other person…who cares what the message is?? No one..not even me not even you…
P.S. You didnt have to say you are Maryam Nadeem or not.. I am not the one who runs this website or whatever. People wont take YOU wrong because of the name..
May ALLAH guide us all and bless us all just for we are MUSLIMS FIRST!!!
Salam ..
I forgot to ask does anyone have any idea whether that lady..ridley replied to this letter or not??
If she did can i find it somewhere??
and one more thing…Is she a revert or a born Muslim? I mean her name …i havent heard it ever..
No offence please
Fi aman ALLAH
Our sister Yvonne Ridley is a convert, she was a news reporter for the British Media in Afghanistan, she got kidnapped by the Taliban and they freed her on the condition that she would study Islam
chek out her site http://www.yvonneridley.org
no one has to argue about this, every MUSLIM should simply look in Look in
Sahih Bukhari
Volume 7, book 69, hadith 494B
assalamu aleikum!as i see its very easy 2 judge…hmm…you look just outside of quastion,but look inside!Sami is a person really blessed by Allah,and here is no doubts and he do his best 2 share it with us,2 show beauty of islam 2 muslims and nonmuslims(that is very important),its like a message.im sure that nowdays young ppl listen 2 the music anyway,then where is alternative???those who listen 2 hiphop or rnb,shurely will not come 2 nesheed,lets b realistic,then Samis art is”golden middle”.Sami,u r the best,we loves u,keep on working,may Allah bless u 2 b inspired
sami you are biutiful singer………………………………
hello Sami you are my favorite singer……………….my name is GJylbenda and this is my email gjylbenda.dervishdana@live.com
Sister what you are saying is that we should compromise Islam…
Islam doesnt change for modern times
You say his showing beauty of Islam.. but his doing that with Haram
that’s like me saying I will have a haram relationship with a kaffir girl to show her the beauty of Islam…. It doesnt make it right even if Im promoting Islam
n how can we promote Islam by going against the Sunnah
Damn. How did I end up in a crap place like this?
Anyway. Let me face up to instincts of this world whilst expressing myself which none of you laughable hypocrites can say anything:
That letter sucked from the very first line. No joke.
All I can say is that, the Prophet is the coolest. None of you are the coolest. Neither is the author of that crap letter.
Oh by the way. Yvonne: Nice job sister.
I figured that most of you will have a problem with this comment I’ll state my email explicitly just to please some of your deep intentions: coderspider@yahoo.co.uk
I also figured that the moderator of this place decided to get alittle emotional on my last comment I posted here so he/she decided to delete it, which I finished laughing a minute ago when I found that my last comment is not here. So DUDE, back off and let me have my say without your ignorant intentions. Thank you.
Mr.A
YO!! Unbelievable…
how does that sound??
I read this letter almost million years ago…and i was ok with it..but never knew people love to fight over some words…awesome!! to all the people above..specially the two who had a fight, maryam Ahmad and the other guy Abu Muslim…Come on!! GROW UP!! Man you shouldt have called her a liar…she was respecting u for the whole time…thats bad!! and maryam, i recommend you dont bother telling how you feel..its between you and GOD, peopl arent worth this…
and the other maryam, girl, u didnt have to say who u r…i am Iman…Not the FAITH i am IMAN myself
and the bro who gave his email…you wanna chat with people??
For the letter..welllll
Sami told what was in his mind, yvonne did what she thought was true..
Cant u all SPECILALY the admin around, chil out a little bit and let not people fight??
I mean it…u all did NOTHING for the good.even i have no idea why i am posting a reply here
Jst wated to say For heaven sake it has been soooooooooooo much time Sami is considered a legend now. And no one knows Yvonne for what she does. Even I have a friend who became Muslim cos of Sami Yusuf…so i have a right to justify this guy’s dignified attitude which Yvone lackss
How many people can have an effect like this?? and ya guess what!! People are so confused about what Yvonne said for Palestine…Go get education, then mess with other Muslims..I suppose, sami is a Muslim if anyone has an intrest in that.
seriosly, i cant believe people are stil fighting on this letter!! YO GUYS!! get up!! eat chocolates, have fun, why r u so emotional ayway..
Hy admin if u wanna delete it…please tell a solid rocking reason, i’ll be pleaseeeed to know
Peace be on ya all!!
and ya one more thing…dont be offended…I didnt offend…if u get hurt, u r far more sensitive than others..So not my fault..
have fun
peace be on ya all………..YO!
Stay Blessed Ukhi al Ghali…I wish Microsoft never gave the option of copying and pasting…
Its freeking boring….
Anyways I dont care!! though the letter as a whole was way too awesome…His ikhlaq!! ya Rabbi!! coolest!!
GOD bless you Mr. sami yusuf…you got my respect dude..!
Stay Blessed…peace be on ya all.YO!!
ok your asking our brothers and sisters not to get offended so I know you dont get offended by this…
your exact words are “GOD bless you Mr. sami yusuf…you got my respect dude..!”
respect for what? your asking Allah to bless haram. bro what kind of Aqida is that?
you say his letter was awesome, what was so awesome about his letter? did he show any evidence from Qur’an or Sunnah to say music is Halal?
brother look in: Sahih Bukhari
Volume 7, book 69, hadith 494B
however i do rate Brother Sami, he didn’t disrespect our sister Yvonne Ridley
Allah knows best
Who was talking about music around here? I mean it…The problem were the girls jumping and the police…nobody said that he is doing haram.
I didnt say I respect his music, respect him as a Muslim. And yo!! i dont get offended and i dont get your point.
And let me tell what was awesome, HIS IKHLAQ..ok??
I mght not have a good ikhlaq, i accept that…look at him…he started with DEAR yvoone..did she even say Mr. Sami Yusuf? no..she posted like 25 or (i dont even remember 24 i guess whatever) year old british born bla bla.
Whats wit her? i mean she is living in UK and so unthankful. Come on tell me. Compare the letters or articls of bboth. You’;ll know why I said he got my respect Brother. Even if she didnt post the thing od being brit..I would have not even posted a message here. but it truly freeked me out. I mean what else she wants to be proud of? being proud of your country isnt HARAM i guess.
I am no Saudi, i live here..but I am proud of it…so what? the people who dont like saudi should kill me or what?
IMAN is the name of a sis, not bro anyway..
And please kindly bring me an evidence TRUE one from Qur’an where it says MUSIC (with the word itself) is Haram. and Ya one more thing…as some sis or bro I guess abve said…How can a thing that reminds you of your salat or GOD be haram?? Logic Please..!! ALLAH, The CREATOR made everything and did everything with a Strong LOGIC. And I see no logic in that.
Please dont bother cpoying pasting stuff for me, I already am planning to suit the microsoft for this stupid feature lol!!
I might sound a little harsh..Sorry for that!! but i cant be a hypocrat..!! u know Munafiq..I am what i am..you are what u r..!! I respect u as I respect Sami yusuf. You both are Muslim brothers for me…thats an exception if u dont consdier me your sis if I respect Sami…never mind
Stay blessed and Happy…and dont forget me in prayers as I have got some stupid exams to go through!
Peace be on ya all
Im sorry sis I forgot Iman was a unisex name. I love you for the sake of Allah but their is clear hadith saying musical instruments is haram and anyone who denies that is denying Bukhari so they must be a shia or something and also I dont know how much you know about our sister Yvonne but let me tell you something she has done alot for the Ummah…
her television show was takin off air because of complaints from jews, when was the last time Al-Saud spoke up for Palestine…. erm last time was King Faisal
truth is our Saudi leaders are sleeping with the enemy, they are munafiqs, traitors and Allah knows best
Ohhhhh
U scared me…Saudis Are sleeping..Wow!! I was exxxpecting that actually..i mean I didnt ask u to love me in the name of ALLAH cos one way or the other its just a saying…
One more thing
Do you know callling someone Munafiq without knowing their inetntion is HARAM..lol I got another Haram here.
Well da only thing u need to know is u havent done anything for the Ummah, u have no right to insult Muslims. Have fun after that!!
Are you intrsted in something other than Yvonne? Then let me tell Ya
Our deaaaaaar King Abd ALLAH has planned to REBUILD the houses in Gaza with the budget of some milllllions of Riyals I am very much sure u never heard of it.
Search in arab news. You’ll get something other than Yvonne Anti.
Stay blessed and take care
Peace be on ya
Alhamdulillah, yeh I kno the monarchy of Saudi do a lot of charity and I also know that after the month long Israel Lebonon war they also paid for the schooling fees for Lebanese children, they fund madrassa’a all over the world…
that doesnt change the fact that they allowed the bombs to drop there in the 1st place, also they were the one who invited the mushrik Americans to kill Muslims in Iraq during the first gulf war, and they were the ones who let Kaffirs build bases on Arab soil, and they are the ones who goes to the white house and kiss George Bush on the cheeks.lol, and then Bush supplies Isreal, who then use those bombs on Gaza, then The Saudi’s go and repair the damage… come on sister, any Muslim has to agree that is a disgrace and we should be ashamed of ourselves…
oh yeh why do Saudi, Egypt and Jordan have a military for???
polish their warplanes??? maybe, I dont know
ASSALAMUALAIKU
hi my dear brother sami my name is farzin i from a great country iran i love u sing and i listen to u music for all time u are so great i hope u answer me thanks ??? ????
this photo is very very very butefoul
this photo is very very very gooood
………………….thnx
Mr. najm: U didnt read ma point I guess.!! U didnt do anything for Ummah, ya got no right to Insult Muslims. have ya ever been on a place to do charity? Have ya ever been to a place where a mother cries cos her son died with the Israel tank? If no, then stop being a know-it-all and grow up a lil bit. And if ya, then im pretty amazed how eazily ya insult others who work this way. Never mind…Its none of ma business. Answer for your ownself.
Even if i knew where r ya from, i wouldnt have been insultin ya cos thats not what Muslims r fo. Come on brotha, despite of cursin non Muslims, u find me to curse..lol intrestin phenomenon actualy I’ll ask ma chemstry teacha to tell me what this formula means..!!
Stay blessed yo
Peace be on ya all.
The sad thing really, brothers and sisters, is that Yvonne put herself in shoes that do not fit her. In Fiqh terms, she claimed the position of ‘aalim while she is yet just a beginner. This is one of the most major sins that any Muslim can fall into. Likewise, Sami should not defend himself through any argument of his own, but should simply quote the statements of the scholars whom he has followed.
May Allah guide both and all.
wassalam
hey
its very reasonable point of view.
Good post.
realy good post
thank you
if only we were this passionate.. and we debated this much about the atrocities that are being carried out on Muslims across the world. If only we took this much time out and effort to concentrate on bettering ourselves.
shame on us.. shame on our ummah.
this is exactly why the ummah is in the state it is in. we all want to be right and we all want to pass judgments and rullings. when none of us, noone who commented on this page is a scholar or a person worthy enough to give an islamic rulling. khalas, lets agree to disagree and work together, in the manner of the sunnah of rasulAllah.
ps. sami yusuf is doing great things for the ummah, hes one of the few actually trying. lets see YOU do something to help the ummah worldwide b4 critising him.
I don’t buy the arguments about Islamic terrorism etc. I say every religion has terrorist outfits. Many Muslims are playing into the dirty hands of non-Islamic terrorists and their ideologues for cash.
http://drdivas.wordpress.com/2008/12/25/terrorist-or-muslim-rights-activist-an-interview-with-dr-abdul-ruff-colachal/
Many people are un-necessarily trying to impose their view that Islam treats music as haram on others who do not fully believe this. I urge our muslim brothers to respect sami’s view also, and accept that he is truly interested in following the teachings of our prophet. Let us not present an in-tolerant view of the teachings we believe in, which encourages people like Yvonne to brand all muslims as “monolithic” and do not understand all the creations made by the all powerfull. Let us also remember that however strong our faith is it should not be imposed on others by tormenting them. If there are followers of Allah who listen to music let us also treat them as our sisters and brothers rather than brand them as haram. Let us remember that however our faith is it is still a “faith” for other muslims and non-muslims
kudhah hafeez
I won’t post my views, only the view of the scholars of the past including sahaba’s, so if you have a problem with the post dont be mad at me, be mad at the scholars and sahaba’s.
The following people said music is haram
Ibn Abbas (ra) cousin of the prophet (saws)
Hasan al-Basri, who was bought up in the house of the Prophet (saws)
Ibn Mas’ud (ra) sahaba
Ibn al-Qayyim
Abdullah Ibn Umar (ra) Son of Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra)
Mujaahid, he was a top student of Ibn Abbas (ra)
Ibn Kathir
and of course Muhammad (saws) (Narrated by al-Bukhaari ta’leeqan, no. 5590; narrated as mawsool by al-Tabaraani and al-Bayhaqi. See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 91)
if that is not enough for you the Imams of the 4 madhabs said music is haram, Abu Hanifa was the most strictest and said it’s kufr just listening to music
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/5000/music
I hope i haven’t hurt anyones feelings, that was not my intention.
I have only posted the views of the scholars of the past
please check the link and think deeply…. is it worth going against the overwhelming majority of the Scholars which includes Sahaba’s?
are we safe from Allah’s punishment?
we need to fear Allah
Sallams,
Regarding MR’s long post above: Two wrongs don’t make a right. If I stole money from the rich and gave it to the poor, is that right? Similarly, it’s not right to justify a haram action by saying, “It’s going to lead to something good.”
In reality, people who are just coming out of jahilliyah don’t “need that beat,” they need something that can change their HEARTS so that obeying the commandments of Allah (SWT) becomes easy. It’s, after all, the hearts that much change, right? We want to do something that purifies our hearts. In a hadeeth, the Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said [close meaning], “Music causes hypocrisy to grow in the heart as water causes herbs to grow.” Listening to “Muslim” music as a “stepping stone” is simply counterproductive. How far will we go to justify haram actions by saying it’s a “stepping stone”? Will we also say that having a Muslim boyfriend/girlfriend (but no zina) is a “stepping stone” for people coming out of jahilliya as well?
Think about all the benefits of not listening to music. A hadeeth states that the person who doesn’t listen to music will be rewarded in Paradise with the music of a tree whose branches will rub together and produce a sound that the ears have never heard before.
So may Allah (SWT) grant us all tawfiq to follow His commandments, and forgive us all of our sins, ameen.
JazakAllah khair
looooooooool…grow a beard..nice one!
Assalamu aleikum readers of this blog. I like Sami Yusuf music and I even went to a concert of his. But no more, why? because I have came across with the evidence and understanding that keeps me away from music. Let us not forget that music is his way of living and his is making a profit out of it, so is not likely that he will come and accept the facts. Yes u mentione the hadith where the prophet saw was with Aisha ra…but u also mentioned that were kuffars doing the music. Is not up to muslim to do this things. And is not extremism, in islam there is not extremism, but degrees of love, devotion, sincerity and understanding. May Allah let u all see that is our soul at the stake. Are we gonna compromise jennah for listening to music??? InshaAllah we wont, the love of Allah is worth everything.
i don’t support his music nor listen to it. i just ignore it. BUT i do support him and his letter and his fans for keeping it real and respectful. may God unite us under quran and sunnah. until then, this letter was beautyful alhamdlilah. i also respect yvonne ridly but we must remember that sometimes, being new to a religion can cause us to act in extremeways, and being part of a religion even for 10 or 20 years sometimes is still new, no?
thanksalot guys.
shalam khalykm
mikhael
When a member of a family becomes pauper due to the music mania of his father and when he grows up, he views music as a whole with a protest. At the same time there are so many levels of pure music. In so many fields such as maulid, mad’h, khawali pure music has been connected with spiritual path. The good gifts of all these things might be lying hidden in him at the same time. But in his own experience since music has become a thing which should be protested, he will not direct his thinking in such a side. It is quite natural that he will try not to come even a humming of music from him. If it is so, it in the same thing which has happened in the above said psychologists. Therefore it is not European psychology which a physician should study for his psychology. Instead he should Qur’anic mentalogy known as ‘ilmunnafsiyathul Qur’an’. Together with he can also study other psychologies for comparative studies
music haraam….when it comes wind and string instuments..i listen to sami yusuf but i’m not gonna be hypocritically and say all is well….we can repent for something wrong…but making haraam halaal is unacceptable.
yusuf qardawi….makes the muslim who wanna relax,relax…and on yaumul qiyyimah..you’ll have to answer to allah not qardawee.so go ahead and talk garbage about the salfis hating..why don’t you look at the proofs and evidences that shaykh bin baaz,al albani and uthaymeen used and stop lunging around mordernist qardawee.
hell is a place of ambush
I think he handled it well, the response was done in the right way, how accountable can he be held to how people act at his concert
Lol this is coming From some one who have Screaming Girls running after Him. its not Controversal its Fact and this Deen is but Music so Called Islamic Music. it The in the belly of the beast so you have best of Both Worlds instead of Focusing on Quran.
Sami should ashamed of him self and should Guide the people to have Adab at his concerts and where are the Parents these are things related if not close to The Kuffar.
Stiring up the Desires of Little girls, All for Islam
Folks need to Fear Allaah and stop Thinking The Qurana and Ahadith don’t Exist.
Thinking this is ok because is Islamic Who said that bring Proof!! That it is halal Entertainment. Any one I’m not Perfect but what is Clear is Clear And We need to step up and handle the business.
Music is one of the purest and most beautiful creation of Allah Ta’ala who set the tone and rhythm of every sound in the universe. Music or singing like all the creations of Allah, that now constitute an important part of our daily life, can be lawfully used or maliciously abused.
Both music and singing are created pure, and beautiful like our fresh air and fresh water and they can be corrupted or polluted by evil-doers of every nationality, color or gender.
The corruption of some music shows or songs does not make all the music or songs haram (prohibited) just like the pollution of some water or fresh air by some people will not deem all the water and air haram (prohibited).
Now let us look at what these people use to claim that Music and singing are haram.
a) Allah addresses the disbelievers of the Quraish as follows, “Do you marvel at this statement, and laugh and do not weep, while you amuse yourselves (proudly) in vanities? Rather, prostrate before Allah and worship Him.” (53:59-62)
Because of the expression “amuse yourselves” these Muslims twisted the words and the logic to make a conclusion that music and singing is what is meant here. They are missing the point and the meaning that is clear to any sincere believer. The word is general and indicates that any kind of amusement that keeps you from paying your duties to Allah is leading you to commit a sin. It does not make it haram or prohibited.
If you amuse yourself by watching Baseball while forgetting to do your Salat-prayers on time then you are committing a sin but this does not make Baseball haram.
If you amuse yourself by playing games with your children while forgetting to pray on time you are committing a sin but playing with your children will not be haram. If you listen to music or singing and forget to do your prayers then you commit a sin but music does not become haram. Remember that music is like air and water, it is not haram per se, but the way it is used in certain circumstances will control its status then.
the problem is not the music but some people that sis yvonne talked about who really go haywire when nasheed artists perform
Assalaamalaikum!
Sister fatima has pointed out an important thing though i would not agree that “the problem is not the music”(sister if you are talking about this case only then i agree).
Now all my brothers and sisters who have taken your time to advocate for music being permissible in Islam can u please get me some proofs………honestly i have not come across any solid proof rather than some people trying to prove it halaal using their logic and only logic….not sariah…….if i am lacking knowledge please let me understand what is the opinion of the scholars AND WHY???
Music and Prohibition
All praise is due to Almight God, Allah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our own selves and from our wicked deeds. Whosoever has been guided by Allah, there is none to misguide him. And whoseover has been misguided by Allah, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no other god except Allah, alone, without partner or associate. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah, the Exalted, bestow His peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad, upon his good and pure family, as well as upon all of the noble companions and upon those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Reckoning.
Verily, the most truthful speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him); while the worst affairs are novelties, for every novelty is a blameworthy innovation. Every innovation (in matters of religion) is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire.
The legality of music and singing in the Islamic shari’ah (the divinely-revealed law) is an issue which is hotly debated among individuals and scholars in Islamic societies of our present day. Arriving at the correct view requires unbiased, scholarly research of the available literature which must be supported by authentic, decisive proof.
A considerable amount has been said and written both for and against this subject, and the proliferation of doubt and confusion necessitates another more critical, meticulous analysis and assessment of this whole matter, in order for one to come to a clear, decisive conclusion which leaves not the least bit of doubt in the mind of the reader.
In hope of acheiving such a difficult and lofty goal, I have applied a distinctive method which I trust, by Allah’s leave, will succeed in achieving these treasured aims and objectives.
Firstly, I analysized and assessed the claims made by differing factions that certain Quraanic verses support or prohibit the legality of the issue at hand. Secondly, I stringently researched the area of pertinent hadeeth literature in order to shed light on the issue as well as to dispel a number of misconceptions about the authenticity of certain traditions. Thirdly, I presented a consensus of the Islamic scholars with special reference to the pious predecessors of the Islamic ummah; i.e. the noble companions, the taabi’een, the famous imams and other jurisprudents (fuqahaa). Fourthly, I attempted to explain the infinte wisdom which underlies the ruling of prohibition as ordained by the divinely-revealed shari’ah. Fifthly, I cited examples of exceptions to the general rule of prohibition, as either defined by the authentic sunnah or agreed upon by the scholars. Finally, I presented a synopsis of the shar’iah texts and a conclusion which clarifies the prohibited aspects of music, singing and their adjuncts.
I pray that Allah grants success in this endeavor, accepting it as a work done purely for His sake and bestowing upon us and our brethren in faith, sincerity and guidance to His straight path.
Abu Bilal Mustafa Al-Kanadi
Ramadaan 1406/May 1986
Makkah Al-Mukarramah
ANALYSIS OF QURAANIC TEXTS AND COMMENTARIES
It is vital that one critically assesses the extent to which certain verses of the Quraan allegedly stand as proof for or against the legality of music and singing. Some of those verses which might be misconstrued to indicate that music, singing, dancing etc are permissible, are mentioned first. They are then followed with a sample of verses, which certain scholars have claimed to be proof of prohibition regarding this issue.
VERSES CLAIMED TO INDICATE THE LEGALITY OF MUSIC
The following verses regarding the Psalms of Dawood (upon whom be peace) is case in point.
THE FIRST VERSE:
{And verily,We did favor some of the prophets over others, and to Dawood We gave the Psalms.}(*1)
How does this verse purport to be proof for those who claim legality? It is a common misconception of certain Muslims-especially those having a western background or living in the west-that Dawood (peace be upon him)composed the Psalms and sang them to the accompaniment of music.(*2) There are even some commentators of English translations of the Quraan who fall prey to the same error. For example, Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on this verse saying, “The spiritual gifts with which the Prophets came, may themselves, take different forms according to the needs of the world and the times in which they lived, as judged by the wisdom of God. A striking example here given is the gift of song and music as given to David…(*3) The fact is that the Psalms were not composed by Prophet Dawood (upon whom be Allah’s peace and blessings), but rather were revealed to him(*4) by Allah, the exalted, as is clearly stated in the Quraan.(*5) Additionally, nowhere in the Quraan or in the authentic traditions(*6) is there any support for this accompanying the psalms with musical instruments .
In order to properly understand the true nature of the Psalms (Az-Zaboor), one must look to some of the dependable Quraanic commentaries (tafaseer). Ibn Katheer (Allah’s mercy be upon him), explains the meaning of the term Az-Zaboor saying, “Az-Zaboor is the name of the book revealed by Allah to Dawood (peace be upon him).”(*7) Al-Aloosi further confirms this saying, “Az-Zaboor is the name of the book sent down to Dawood (upon whom be peace); it was revealed to him gradually, by installments.”(*8)
As to the nature of these psalms, Al-Qurtubi states, “Az-Zaboor is the book of Dawood, consisting of one hundred and fifty chapters; however, it contained no rulings of divine law on matters of prohibited or allowed things. Rather, it consisted of words of wisdom and admonishment.”(*9) Al-Aaloosi adds to this description that “the Zaboor also contained divine praises and glorification of Allah, (exalted be His praise).”(*10)
Prophet Dawood’s captivating, melodious voice was exceedingly beautiful and effective. When he recited the Zaboor, men, jinn, birds and wild animals gathered around him.(*11)
THE SECOND VERSE:
Some ignorant people claim that the following text regarding Prophet Ayyoob(Job), whom Allah tested with various trials and tribulations, permits music and dancing:
{Allah, the Exalted and Mighty, commands His messenger, Muhammad in the Quraan, “And recall Our servant, Ayyoob, when he cried unto his Lord, ‘Verily, Satan has afflicted me with distress and suffering.’ It was said unto him, ‘Strike the ground with your foot; here is a spring for a cool bath and water to drink.’}(*12)
In these verses Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, directs His Prophet, Ayyoob, to strike his foot upon the ground, whereupon a spring came forth. He bathed in its cool, soothing water which healed the disease afflicting the outer surface of his body. He also drank from the spring which removed the illness that afflicted his innermost body. Thus, after putting His faithful servant, Ayyoob, to excruciating tests and trials, Allah Ta’aala judges him to be firm, patient and unwavering in his faith, saying: {Truly, We found him firm in patience and constancy; how excellent a slave. Verily, he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).}(*13)
Regarding this verse, Al-Qurtubi mentions in his tafseer that certain ignorant ascetics and common Sufis have sought proof for the permissibility of dancing in Allah’s saying to Ayyoob, {Strike the ground with your foot.}(*14) He relates the reply of some scholars to such baseless claims. Abul-Faraj Ibnul-Jowzi says, “This is an empty argument. Had there been a command for the striking of the foot as an act of joy, there might be some slight excuse for such a view; however, the fact is that the command for striking the ground with the foot was in order to get the spring water to flow from it”(*15) Ibn Aqeel gives a further rebuttal by questioning, “How is the proof of the legality of dancing deduced from the simple fact that an afflicted person is ordered as a means of miraculous healing to strike the earth with his foot in order to cause water to spring forth?”(*16) He further suggests that if such reasoning were correct, “It would also be right to interpret Allah’s saying to Moosa, {Strike the stone with your staff.}(*17) as a proof for the legality of striking [rhythmically] upon [stuffed] cushions with sticks!(*18) We seek refuge in Allah from such fraudulent playing with the Shari’ah.”(*19)
Obviously, one could make endless far-fetched analogies between certain verses of the Quraan and various, false, preconceived notions which one might hope to substantiate. May Allah protect us from such evil manipulation of the divinely-revealed law.
It is essential at this point to mention that if it were established – for the sake of argument – that Dawood (peace be upon him) did in fact have musical accompaniment to his psalms; such a thing would not be proof that music, singing to musical accompaniment, etc. are followed in Islam. This is substantiated by the agreed upon principle from the science of usoolul fiqh(*20) which states that the revealed law (shar’un) of those who came before us(*21) is considered applicable insofar as such law is not explicitly abrogated by the texts of the final divine;y-revealed law of Islam as embodied in the Quraan and the authentic sunnah.(*22) However, as will be presented later, there is abundant authentic proof from the Islamic Shari’ah which prohibits music. Therefore, this prohibition by the Islamic Shari’ah abrogates all previously-revealed law and nullifies any support it may have made for the legality of music. With this in mind, it becomes abundantly clear that the attempts of certain persons to use such previously-mentioned verses as proof for the permissibility of music are baseless and untenable .
QURAANIC VERSES ALLEGED TO INDICATE PROHIBITION OF MUSIC
In his tafseer, Imam Al-Qurtubi mentions that there are three verses which have been used by the ulaama as proof of the contempt for and the prohibition of singing.
THE FIRST VERSE:
The first of these verses appears in Soorah An-Najm(*23) as follows:
Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, addresses the disbelievers from the tribe of Quraysh, {Do you marvel at this statement, and laugh and do not weep, while you amuse yourselves [proudly] in vanities? Rather, prostrate before Allah and worship Him.}
The important phrase is Allah’s saying, {Wa antum saamidoon} (”while you amuse yourselves [proudly] in vanities). Due to the root ’samada’ having various interpretations in the Arabic language, the scholars differ about this phrase’s meaning. As a result, different interpretations are given by the commentators of the Quraan, such as the companions, taabi’een and later scholars of tafseer.
Al-Qurtubi refers to the various derived meanings mentioned by the linguists (*24). Among the meanings understood from the root’ samada’ is the raising of one’s head up proudly or in disdain. When conjugated, the noun form ’sumood’ means leisure or idle play, while ’saamid’ (the doer of the action) means one who plays idly with musical instruments or other objects of play. It is said to the singing girl, “Asmideena!”(”Amuse us with your singing!”) However, ’saamid’ can also designate one who lifts his head in pride and haughtiness, as mentioned in the ancient dictionary, As-Sihah.(*25) A further meaning derived from the root ’samada’ is the notion of standing motion less or idle. This was mentioned by Al-Mathdawi,(*26) one of the famous grammarians, but he added that the common, established meaning in the language points to the idea of turning away by making fun and amusement. Finally, Al-Mubarrid mentions the meaning of ’saamidoon’ saying, “Saamidoon means khaamidoon [silent, motionless].”(*27)
At-Tabari mentions in detail the various narrations traced to the sahaabah and taabi’een.(*28) According to Ibn Abbaas, the word ’saamidoon’ in this verse refers to the mushrikeen’s habit of singing and playing noisily whenever they heard the Quraan being recited, in order to drown out the reciter’s voice so that others wouldn’t hear it.(*29) This meaning is used by the people of Yemen. Ibn Abbas also indicated a second, more general meaning for the word ’saamidoon’; namely, that they were playing and amusing themselves and making light of the affair. The same opinion was held by some taabi’een such as Ikrimah and Ad-Dahhaak. A third meaning given by Ibn Abbaas is that they held their heads up in pride. Other tabi’een have indicated certain meanings similar to the preceding linguists’ views. Thus, Qataadah reports Al-Hasan as saying that ’samidoon’ is the mushrikeen’s being inattentive and negligent. Mujaahid says it indicates their being in a state of extreme anger or rage.
Clearly, the term ’saamidoon’ has various possible meanings, e.g that those referred to were singing noisily and amusing themselves with music and idle play, that they were holding their heads in pride, or that they were exhibiting extreme anger and hatred for what they heard of the Quraan and the message of Islam. Furhermore, it could indicate that they were indifferent, negligent and rejectionist in their attitude. All of these meanings are possible, and are not – in essence – contradictory. Most likely, ’saamidoon’ is a comprehensive description of their different reactions upon hearing the verses of the Quraan and the new message of tawheed. However, it must be said that when a Quranic term yields a number of different possible meanings and we have no clear, authentically-reported statement from the Prophet defining it in a strict sense, then such a verse containing the said term cannot be used as an unequivocal, decisive proof (daleelun qat’ee) of any particular meaning. Thus, this verse cannot stand alone as an uncontestable proof of the prohibition of singing, music, etc. Rather, other evidence, either from the Quraan itself or from the authentic sunnah, must prove such a position.(*30)
THE SECOND VERSE:
Another verse alleged to be proof of the illegality of music, singing, etc is mentioned in Soorah Al-Israa as follows:
After Iblees (Satan) refuses to bow before Adam as ordered, he requests that Allah grant him respite until the Day of Resurrection, so that he may misguide all but a a few of the descendants of Adam (peace be upon him). Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, addresses Satan thus, {And excite any of them whom you can with your voice. Assault them with your cavalry and infantry, be a partner with them in their wealth and children, and make them promoses. But Satan promises them nothing except deceit.}(*31)
It is related that some of the commentators from the generation of the taabi’een, such as Mujahid and Dahhaak,(*32) interpreted Satan’s exciting mankind with his voice to mean through the use of music, song and amusement. Ad-Dahaak said it was the sound of wind instruments. However, according to Ibn Abbaas, the voice mentioned in the verse refers to every form of invitation which calls to disobedience to Allah, the Exalted.(*33) After mentioning the various interpretations of the commentators, At-Tabari says, “The most correct of these views expresses that verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said to Iblees, {Excite whosoever of Adam’s progeny you can with your voice,} and He did not specify any particular type of voice. Thus, every voice which is not an invitation to Allah’s worship and to His obedience is included in the meaning of Satan’s ‘voice’ which is referred to in the Quraanic verse.”(*34)
In conclusion, this verse – like the preceding one – is too general in its meaning, and is not by itself an explicit and unequivocal proof of the prohibition of music and singing, except in the case that such singing and music invites or leads to disobedience to Allah. Therefore, one must look at other unambiguous texts, which clearly show music, singing, etc. to be prohibited intrinsically and not due to some extraneous variable.
THE THIRD VERSE:
The final verse, and the one most often presented as proof of prohibition, is located in Soorah Luqmaan:(*35)
Allah, the Exalted, says, {And there are among men those who purchase idle talk in order to mislead others from Allah’s path without knowledge, and who throw ridicule upon it. For such there will be a humiliating punishment.}
After mentioning the condition of the felicitous (those who are guided by Allah’s Book and who benefit from listening to it), Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, reveals the condition of the miserable ones who refuse to benefit from hearing the word of God. They only devote themselves avidly to idle and foul talk, empty amusements and all other false works and deeds whose purposes are to turn others away from Allah’s path and to make it the butt of mockery.
Ibn Jareer At-Tabari, in his Jaamiul Bayaan, mentions that the interpreters of the Quraan differed as to the meaning of the term {lahwal hadeeth} (idle talk) which occurs in the above-quoted verse. Their views regarding its meaning can be formulated into three basic categories.
The first category defines the term {lahwal hadeeth}: (a) singing and listening to songs, (b) the purchasing of professional male or female singers and (c) the purchase of instruments of amusement; namely, the drum (tabl). The elements of this category revolve around reference to the blameworthy usage of instruments of idle amusement, in short, music and song. This view was held by a number of companions such as Ibn Masood, Jaabir and Ibn Abbaas. It is related that the former was questioned regarding the meaning of the verse under discussion to which he replied, “I swear by the One other than Whom there is no god that it refers to singing [ghinaa]”; he repeated it three times to emphasize his position.(*36) It is related that Ibn Abbaas said it referred to “singing and the like.”(*37) Jaabir is reported to view its meaning to signify singing and listening to songs.(*38) This general view pointing to censure of music and song was also held by a great number of taabi’een, such as Ikrimah, Mujaahid, Makhool and Umar bin Shuayb, to name only a few.(*39)
The second category of interpretation centers around the idea that {lahwal hadeeth} indicates conversation inviting to or consisting of shirk (polytheism). This view was the view of some tafseer scholars from the generation after the companions, such as Ad-Dahaak and Abdur-Rahmaan bin Zayd bin Aslam.(*40)
The third category conveys the meaning of all false talk, actions or deeds, whose nature it is to divert people from Allah’s path and from His worship and remembrance. For example, Al-Aaloosi relates that Al-Hasan Al-Basri was reported as saying that {lahwal hadeeth} includes “everything which distracts one from worship and the remembrance of Allah such as whiling the night away in idle conversation or entertainment, jokes, superstitous tales, songs and the likes thereof.”(*41) Al-Aaloosi supports this view, saying that the verse should be interpreted to include all such blameworthy words and deeds which divert one from Allah’s path.
After having conveyed the previously-mentioned categories of tafseer, Ibn Jareer relates the commentary of Ibn Zayd about the verse, {And there are among men those who purchase idle talk in order to mislead others from Allah’s path without knowledge, and who throw ridicule upon it.} Ibn Zayd said, “The people referred to [in this verse] are the disbelievers. Don’t you see that it says [in the immediately following verse], {And when Our revelations are recited to such a person he turns away in pride as if he hadn’t heard them, as if there was a deafness in his ears.}(*42) The people of Islam are not as those described here, although some say the verse refers to Muslims [as well]. The verse refers to the disbelievers who pitched their voices in a tumultuous clatter in order to drown out the hearing of the Quraan.”(*43)
At-Tabari concludes by offering his own weighted preference for the general, inclusive meaning as conveyed in this final category. He states, “The most correct view regarding the meaning of {lahwal hadeeth} is the one which indicates every form of conversation(*44) which diverts from Allah’s path – the hearing of which has been prohibited by Allah or His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). This is because the statement by Allah, the Exalted, is general and inclusive, and does not exclude certain forms of conversation. Therefore, His statement remains in its general context unless proof which specifies it appears; and singing and polytheism [shirk] are included in this general statement.”(*45)
From what has preceded, it is to be understood that a specific or exclusive meaning such as singing or shirk cannot be proven; rather, the verse and particularly the phrase {lahwal hadeeth} should be interpreted as anything which diverts one from Allah’s path. Music, singing, etc. (since they occupy people’s attention and distract them from Allah’s worship and remembrance and invite to His disobedience), no doubt fall under the general censure, blame and rebuke cast upon those who fall into this category. However, this verse is not itself an explicit, unequivocal proof for the prohibition of music, singing, etc. Rather, its prohibition is conditional and incidental as stated above. Thus, this issue requires other external proofs which are both clear and categorical, so as not to leave the least bit of doubt in the mind of the conscientious, truth-seeking believer. In order to achieve such a lofty, yet absolutely vital objective, it is necessary to turn to the second source of the Islamic shari’ah, the authentic sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (upon whom be blessings and peace).
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE HADEETH LITERATURE
A meticulous, critical analysis of the relevant texts from the hadeeth literature reveals that, contrary to the commonly-held belief, there are a number of authentic narrations from the prophetic sunnah which clearly point to the indisputable fact that music, instruments, singing to accompaniment, etc. are objects prohibited by the Islamic Shar’iah. The exceptions to this general rule are specific, limited types of innocent singing or chanting without any instrumental accompaniment or to the accompaniment of the simple hand drum (daff) on certain occasions designated by the sunnah. Their details require discussion later.
Unfortunately, due to certain modern scholars’ blind imitation (taqleed) of a few earlier scholars, many Muslims entertain the misconception that all the hadeeths relating to music, singing, musical instruments, etc. are either weak (da’eef) or forged (mowdoo’). A critical analysis of the available hadeeth literature clearly reveals that this is an untenable position. In order to substantiate this claim and to dispel such false notions, it is necessary to quote a number of authentic traditions along with the translation of their meanings.
THE TRADITIONS AND THEIR DEGREE OF AUTHENTICITY
THE NARRATION OF AL-BUKHAARI:
The translation of the hadeeth follows: The Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There will be [at some future time] people from my Ummah [community of Muslims] who will seek to make lawful: fornication, the wearing of silk,(*46) 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 Allah 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 until the Day of Resurrection.”(*47)
A CRICTICAL DISCUSSION OF ITS ISNAAD:(*48)
Prior to a discussion of the meaning of the part of this hadeeth relevant to this treatise, it is necessary to refute certain unfounded criticisms of its authenticity directed at it by a few scholars of the past and present, struggling under unfortunate misconceptions.
At the beginning of the isnaad, Imam Al-Bukhaari related, “Qaala Hishaamu-bnu Ammaar…”(”Hishaam bin Ammaar said…”) This statement was misconstrued by Ibn Hazm to indicate that there is a missing link between Al-Bukaari and the next narrator (i.e Hishaam),(*49) implying that the hadeeth’s isnaad is disconnected (munqati’) and therefore not valid as proof in the prohibition of music, song, musical instruments, etc. This type of isnaad, termed mu’allaq, contains a missing link. However, Al-Bukaari’s hadeeth is authentic, because there exist fully-connected chains for it which fulfill the condition of authenticity. This was stated by the great critical scholar of hadeeth, Shaykh Ibnus-Salaah, in his celebrated work, Uloomul Hadeeeth (his treatise on the science or methodology of hadeeth criticism and assessment). In his commentary of Saheehul Bukhaari, entitled Fat-hul Baari, Ibn Hajar mentioned Ibnus Salaah’s meticulous refutation of Ibn Hazm’s statement.(*50)
Among the other great critical scholars of hadeeth who mentioned that the isnaad is soundly connected (mowsool) is Ibn Hajar’s shaykh, Al-Haafidh Al-Iraaqi. He stated that the isnaad is found connected in Al-Ismaa’eeli’s work, entitled Al-Mustakhraj, which collects together other chains of narrators (or similar ones) for the same hadeeths mentioned in Al-Bukhaari’s collection.
And finally, there is Ibn Hajar’s distinctive work, Taghleequt Ta’leeq, a rare and stupendous masterpiece, which brings together connected, authentic chains (asaneed) of transmitters for those traditions which appear in Al-Bukhaari’s compilation in the form of the disconnected (mu’alliq) type of hadeeth, thereby dispelling accrued misconceptions regarding the claim of “weak” hadeeths occuring in the text (matn) of Al-Jaamis As-Saheeh.(*51)
After quoting other complete, authentic chains(*52) for the tradition under study, along with the sources wherein such chains of transmitters are mentioned,(*53) Ibn Hajar concludes by emphasizing (in reference to Al-Bukhaari’s narration):
“This is an authentic hadeeth. It has no deficiency or defect, and there is no point of weakness for any attack to be made on it. Abu Muhammed Ibn Hazam labeled it as defective by virtue of his claim that there is a break [intiqaa’] in the chain between Al-Bukhaari and Sadaqah bin Khaalid and because of the difference of opinion regarding the name of Abu Maalik(*54) As you’ve seen, I have quoted nine fully-connected chains of transmission (asaneed) whose narrators are thoroughly dependable. As for the difference regarding the kunyah of the companions, they are all of impeccable repute. Further more, in Ibn Hibbaan’s narration, the transmitter stated that he heard from both of them…(*55) I have in my possession yet other chains which could be presented here, however, I would not like to prolong this subject further by mentioning them. In what we have stated there is enough proof for the sensible, thinking person. And Allah is the grantor of success.”(*56)
In short, this particular narration of Al-Bukhaari is authentic and consequently constitutes a valid and binding text to be referred to in determining the ruling (hukm) regarding music.
It should be mentioned that certain modern-day writers, who blindly imitate previous scholars by quoting their views without applying the critical sciences of hadeeth research, have merely parroted the position of Ibn Hazm, and due to this, have caused many unwary persons to go astray regarding this issue. For example, Yoosuf Al-Qardaawi, in his popular book, entitled Al-Halaal wal Haraam fil Islam,(*57) says in regard to the extant hadeths on music: “As for what has been mentioned by way of prophetic traditions [relating to the subject of music], all of these have been assessed to have some point or another of weakness according to the fuqahaa of hadeeth and its scholars.(*58) The Qaadi Abu Bakr Ibnul-Arabi said, ‘There is no authentic hadeeth prohibiting singing.’ And Ibn Hazm said, ‘Every hadeeth related [prohibiting music and singing] is false and forged.”(*59)
Unfortunately, the statement that “all” the narrations are weak according to “scholars of hadeeth” is a gross error on Al-Qardaawi’s part and is not the result of meticulous critical research. Rather, it is due to an uncritical, blind acceptance of the words of Ibn Hazm and Ibnul-Arabi. Ibn Hazm was no doubt a virtuous, sharp-minded scholar; however, in the area of hadeth assessment and verification (as is the case in many aspects of his school of Dhaahiri fiqh), he has certain untenable and unfounded, even some very abnormal views.(*60) The accomplished hadeeth scholar and student of Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Haafidh Ibn Abdul-Haadi, says of Ibn Hazm that “he often errs in his critical assessment of the degrees of traditions and on the conditions of their narrators.”(*61) In fact, there is unanimous consensus among the most reputable critical scholars of hadeeth regarding Ibn Hazm’s erroneous assignment of a ruling of d’af (weakness) to Al-Bukhaari’s hadeeth. Regarding the degree of this hadeeth, the views of Ibnus-Salaah, Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalaani and Al-Haafidh Al-Iraaqi have already been mentioned. Among the qualified scholars who also agree with his assessment are the great scholars, Ibnul-Qayyim and Ibn Taymiyyah. Ibnul-Arabi is similar to Ibn Hazm in that he is quick to give a ruling of forgery or weakness on a hadeeth, without the necessary, detailed analysis and synthesis of all extant chains of narration relating to the subject. Had he executed such an analysis, undoubtedly he would have arrived at a sound decision and avoided much blame and censure.
Having established the authenticity of the aforementioned narration recorded in Imam Al-Bukaari’s compilation, the meaning of his hadeeth and its stand as an indisputable proof of the unlawfulness of music may now be discussed.
COMMENTARY ON AL-BUKHAARI’S HADEETH:
The portion of Al-Bukhaari’s hadeeth, which is presently of concern, is that segment whose text states:
“There will be a people of my ummah [nation] who will seek to make lawful: fornication, the wearing of silk, wine-drinking and the use of musical instruments…”
The word of consequence here is the Arabic term ‘ma’aazif’. In order to discover what it implies, one must turn to Arabic dictionaries of hadeeth terms and other scholarly works. According to Lisaanul Arab,(*62) ma’aazif is the plural of mi’zaf or ‘azf,(*63) and indicates objects or instruments of play or leisure which are beat upon for their sound. If the singular form is used (mi’zaf), it specifically means a type of large wooden drum used mainly by the people of Yemen. The noun ‘azf also stands for the act of playing with ma’aazif, i.e. hand drums (dufoof)(*64) or other instruments which are struck upon. Al-Jowhari, the author of the ancient dictionary, As-Sihaah, asserts that ma’aazif signifies musical instruments, al-’aazif indicates one who sings, and the ‘azf of the wind is its voice.(*65) In the famous Taajul ‘Aroos min Jawaahiril Qaaamoos, besides quoting the above-mentioned meanings, the commentator Az-Zabeedi says that ma’aazif are instruments of leisure which are drummed upon or played, like the lute (’ood), the drum (tanboor), the small hand drum (daff) or other such musical objects.(*66) And finally, in the famous dictionary, An-Nihaayah fee Ghareebil Hadeeth,(*67) Ibnul-Atheer mentions the meaning of ma’aazif as it is used in various hadeeths. He comments, “By ‘azf is meant playing with ma’aazif, consisting of dufoof [hand drums] or other instruments which are beat upon.” He also mentions the derived noun form, ‘azeef, which means “sound” or voice”, while ‘azeeful jinn signifies the ringing of the jinns’ voices. It is said that the people of the desert imagined the shrill ringing of the winds in the desert air to be the voice of jinns.(*68)
The commentaries of the scholars of hadeeth also agree on the above-quoted meaninings for the term maazif mentioned in Al-Bukhaari’s narration. In Ibn Hajar’s exhaustive commentary of Saheehul Bukhaari,(*69) he adds that an earlier hadeeth scholar, named Ad-Dimyaati, says that the word ‘azf is also used to describe singing (ghinaa).(*70)
Such a detailed analysis of the meaning of the term ma’aazif, as mentioned in the most authoritative dictionaries of the Arabic language, is necessary to refute any others’ possible attempts to “explain away” or “interpret” it in a matter suiting their preconceived notions or opinions. It clearly has been established that the word ma’aazif – according to correct Arabic usage – indicates a specific number of things: (a) musical instruments, (b) the sounds of those musical instruments (music) and (c) singing to instrumental accompaniment.
ANALYSIS OF THE TEXT AS A PROOF OF PROHIBITION:
An analysis of the hadeeth’s wording clearly indicates the unlawfulness of music. In the text it is said that people from the Prophet’s ummah will “seek to make lawful” that which is termed ma’aazif. This statement (”seek to make lawful”) is derived from the verb yastahilloona, whose first part, yasta, is the conjugated addition to the root ahalla. The conjugated form ista means to seek, try, attempt, desire, etc., while the root ahalla means to make lawful. Taken together it means “to seek to make lawful”. Obviously, one can only seek, desire or attempt to make lawful that which is not lawful. For if something is already lawful, it is nonsensical for one to seek to establish it. Other things which people will attempt to make lawful are named along with ma’aazif. These additional matters are definitely prohibited in Islam – namely, illegal sexual intercourse, the drinking of wine or liquor and the wearing of silk (for males). Had ma’aazif(*71) not been prohibited, they never would have been associated with other prohibited objects in one and the same context.
In order to dispel the common misconception prevalent among certain Muslims that “only one hadeeth” in Al-Bukkhaari’s compilation stands as proof of prohibition regarding this issue, it is necessary to mention a sample of other authentic hadeeth. The fact that the majority of traditions regarding music, instruments and singing are weak and rejected (munkar) does not negate the existence of an appreciable number whose degree is saheeh (authentic) or hasan (of good, acceptable quality).
THE NARRATION OF IBN MAAJAH:
There is a narration by Ibn Maajah in Kitaabul Fitan(*72) in the chapter on punishments. The translation is:
The messenger of Allah said: “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 lady singers. Allah will cleave the earth under them and turn others into apes and swine.”
This is an authentic hadeeth. It was also narrated by Al-Bayhaqi and Ibn Asaakir with the same wording. The renowned scholar of hadeeth and fiqh, Ibnul-Qayyim, authenticated it as mentioned in the famous hadeeth commentary of the ‘allaamah, Abut-Teeb Muhammad Shamsul-Haqq Al-Adheem-Aabaadi.(*73) Furthermore, it was given a degree of saheeh by muhaddith of our era, Shaykh Muhammad Naasiruddeen Al-Albaani. He mentioned its detailed, critical evaluation and assessment in his Silsatul Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah(*74) and in his Saheehul Jaamis Sagheer.(*75) It is further mentioned and authenticated in his Ghaayatul Maraam, Takhreejul Halaali wal Haraam.(*76)
THE NARRATIONS OF AHMAD BIN HANBAL:
There are a number of narrations proving the prohibition of music and instruments in Ahmad bin Hanbal’s Musnad. Although many of them are weak, two narrations from his compilation, which have been verified to be authentic, follow.
THE FIRST TEXT:
The translation is:
The Prophet said: “Verily, Allah prohibited wine, gambling and al-koobah; and every intoxicant is prohibited.” Sufyan said, “I asked the narrator, Ali bin Badheemah, ‘What is al-koobah?’ He answered, ‘It is the drum.’”
THE SECOND TEXT:
It is translated thus:
Allah’s Messenger said, “Verily, Allah has prohibited for my ummah: wine, gambling, a drink distilled from corn, the drum and the lute;(*79) while He supplemented me with another prayer, the witr.”(*80)
These narrations have also been related by other compilers, such as Al-Bayhaqi in his Shu’ubul Eemaan with an authentic isnaad and At-Tabaraani in Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer with a jayyid (good) isnaad. The detailed proof of their verified authenticity are mentioned in Al-Albaani’s Saheehul Jaami’is Sagheer.(*81) It is further authenticated in his Mishkaatul Masaabeeh(*82) and in his work, Al-Ahadeeth As-Saheehah.(*83)
THE NARRATION OF AL-HAAKIM AND OTHERS:
It is reported by Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak(*84) that the Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings) took the hand of the companion, AbdurRahmaan bin ‘Owf, and they proceeded to visit the Prophet’s ailing son, Ibraheem. They found the infant in the throes of death, so the Prophet took him to his breast and held him until his spirit left him. Then he put the child down and wept, whereupon Abdur-Rahmaan asked in astonishment, “You are weeping, Oh Messenger of Allah, while you prohibit crying!?” The following is the Prophet’s reply:
“Verily, I did not prohibit weeping [per se] but rather, I forbade two voices [sowtayn] which are imbecilic [ahmaq] and sinfully shameless [faajir]: one, a voice [singing] to the accompaniment of musical amusement [lahw] and Satan’s [wind] instruments; the other, a voice [wailing] due to some calamity, accompanied by striking of the face and tearing of garments. But this [weeping of mine] stems from compassion, and whosoever does not show compassion will not receive it.”
This hadeeth’s degree is hasan,(*85) and it has been strengthened by another narration related by Abu Bakr Ash-Shaafi’ee in his work, Ar-Rubaa’eeyat.(*86) Its abbreviated text follows.
THE NARRATION OF ABU BAKR ASH-SHAAFI’EE:
Anas bin Maalik related from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that “two cursed sounds are that of the [wind] instrument [mizmaar](*87) played on the occasion of joy and grace, and woeful wailing upon the occurrence of adversity.”(*88)
A similar text with slightly different wording is related by Al-Bazzaar in his collection(*89) of hadeeths. Al-Haafidh Nooruddeen Al-Haythami mentioned it in his Majma’ Az-Zawaaid(*90) and indicated that the narrators of this isnaad are all dependable. Thus, these last three narrations prove the illegality of music and singing to musical accompanient, especially wind instruments (mazaameer), which are referred to as “flutes of Satan” in the tradition related by Al-Haakim.
The traditions quoted are not the only available authentic hadeeths which establish prohibition. There are others(*91), however the scope of this treatise does not allow a more detailed exposition. The sample mentioned is sufficient proof, for {verily, therein is a reminder for any who has a heart or who gives ear and earnestly witnesses [the truth].}(*92)
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Footnotes
(*1)Soorah Al-Israa, 17:55.
(*2)The common misconception is that he sang to the accompanient of harp. The origin of this is in Judeo-Christian sources which have suffered the effects of alteration and distortion; therefore, they cannot be depended upon.
(*3)The Holy Quran: text,translation and commentary, vol. 1, p.709, footnote no. 2241.
(*4)It must be noted that the “psalms” which are presently extant in the Old testament versions are erroneuosly attributed to Dawood and are not the original Psalms (Az-Zaboor) revealed to him by Allah. The reason for this is the extensive alteration and interpolation of later writers.
(*5)For example, see Soorah Bani Israeel, 17:55 and Soorah An-Nisaa, 4:163.
(*6)Traditions are authentic textual material containing clear and explicit sayings of the Prophet. His sayings in this matter only refer to the beautiful, melodious quality of Dawood’s voice in reciting from the Book of Psalms. It is true that a number of narrations (aathaar mowqoofah) reported on the authority of some of the taabi’een (the generation after the companions) refer to the wonderful qualities of Dawood’s voice in an exxagerated manner, and in some of these a mention of musical instruments is found. However, such narrations do not stand as valid proof in this issue because they consist of views and/or reports of the type known as israaaeeliyaat (reports gleaned from hearsay or the traditions of the People of Book). The criterion in such matters is to be based upon a reference to Allah’s Book and the authentic sunnah. For a sample of such narrations, see Ibn Katheer’s volumnious historic compendium, AlBidaayah wan Nihaayah, vol.2, pp. 10-11.
(*7)See Tafseerul Quraanil Adheem, vol.2, p. 422.
(*8)Refer to the tafseer (commentary) entitled Roohul Ma’aani, vol. 6, p. 17.
(*9)See Qurtubi’s Al-Jaami’li Ahkaamil Quraan, vol. 6, pp. 16-17.
(*10)Tafseer Roohul Ma’aani, vol 6, p. 17.
(*11)For details, see Qurtubi’s Al-Jaami’li Ahkaamil Quraan, vol 6, p. 17; Ibn Katheer’s Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah, vol. 2, pp.10-11 and An-Najjaar’s Qassasul Anbiyya, pp. 310-311.
(*12)Soorah Saad, 38:41-42.
(*13)Soorah Saad, 38:44.
(*14)The type of dancing most probably meant is that of the Sufi dervishes and others; for they considered their esctatic twirling to the accompaniment of certain ritual formulas (adhkaar) and musical instruments a form of worship (ibaadah) which brings one closer to Allah. Of course, such things are none other than bid’ah (blameworthy innovations and misguidance in deen).
(*15)See Qurtubi’s Al-Jaami’li Ahkaamil Quraan, vol. 15, p. 215.
(*16)Ibid.
(*17)Soorah Al-Araaf, 7:160.
(*18)The beating of the typically hard, stuffed cushions of the Arabic “majlis” decor, produces a hollow sound similar to the bass drum. This was a common musical accompanient for singers in Iraq during the early historical eras (circa 1st-2nd century of the Hijrah) See pp. 106-107 of Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami’s Kaffur Ra’aa.
(*19)See Qurtubi’s Al-Jaami’li Ahkaamil Quraan, vol. 15, p. 215.
*20)The codified science containing principles and methods for arriving at a jurisprudential ruling directly from the texts of the Quraan and sunnah, or by a referral to the general principles embodied in such texts or applied to to them.
*21)The law of those who received a divinely-revealed scripture before us, who are designated as the People of the Book (Ahlul Kitaab) – the Jews and Christians.
(*22)For details outlining the various scholars’ views regarding the application or abrogation of previously-revealed law, see Zakaria Bardeesi’s Usool Fiqh, p. 243-247.
(*23)53:59-62.
(*24)For details, see pp. 123-124 of vol.17 of his tafseer.
(*25)See Al-Jowhari’s As-Sihaah, vol. 2, p. 489.
*26)Al-Jaami’li Ahkaamil Quraan, vol. 17, p. 123.
(*27)Ibid.
(*28)See Jaami’ul Bayaan’an Taweeli Aayil Quraan, vol. 27, pp. 82-84.
(*29)See also Qurtubi’s tafseer, vol. 17, p. 123.
(*30)It is interesting to note that other major commentaries of “ahkaamul Quraan” (jurisprudential rulings derived from the Quraanic texts) do not even mention this verse as proof for the prohibition of music,etc. For example, see the works of Al-Jassaas, Ibnul-Arabi and Ilkeeya Al-Harraasi.
(*31)Soorah Al-Israa, 17:64.
(*32)See Qurtubi’s tafseer, vol. 10, p. 289; Ibn Katheer’s Tafseerul Quraanil Adheem, vol. 5, p. 91 and At-Tabari’s tafseer, vol. 15, p. 118.
(*33)As reported in the narration of At-Tabari traced to Ibn Abbaas and Qatadah. See his tafseer, vol. 15, p. 118 for details.
(*34)See At-Tabari’s tafseer, vol. 15, p. 118, for details.
(*35)31:6.
(*36)Related by Al-Bayhaqi, Ubnul-Munhdir and Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak, where he authenticated it; and it was confirmed by Adh-Dhahabi.
(*37)See At-Tabari’s Jaami’ul Bayaan, vol. 21, p. 61 for the various narrations related to Ibn Abbaas.
(*38)Ibid., vol. 21, p. 62.
(*39)For details, see the tafseer of Ibn Katheer, vol. 6, p. 334; Al-Qurtubi’s Al-Jaami’, vol. 14, pp. 51-53 and As-Suyooti’s Ad-Durr Al-Manthoor, vol. 5, pp. 158-160.
(*40)See the commentaries of Ibn Katheer, vol. 6, p. 334 and At-Tabari, vol. 21, p. 63.
(*41)Roohul Ma’aani, vol. 21, p. 67.
(*42)Soorah Luqmaan, 31:7.
(*43)Related by At-Tabari in his tafseer, vol. 21, p. 63. The reference is to Soorah Fussilat, 41:26, whose meaning may be rendered, {Those who disbelieve say, “Don’t listen to this Quraan. Drown out the hearing of it,so that perchance you may overcome.”} There are other interpretations of it, but Ibn Zayd’s, as mentioned above, is the most obvious. See Al-Qurtubi’s tafseer, vol. 15, p. 356, for details.
(*44)That is, every form of communication.
*45)Quoted from p. 63, vol. 21, of his Jaami’ul Bayaan’an Taweeli Aayil Quraan.
(*46)The wearing of silk is lawful for females but has been forbidden for men.
(*47)See Fathul Baari, vol. 10, p. 51.
(*48)Isnaad or sanad is the chain of narrators of prophetic traditions. In this case, it’s from Imaam Al-Bukhaari traced back to the Prophet. The narrator’s reliabilty in reporting, as well as other considerations connected with the science of verification and assessment of the degree of prophetic traditions, fall under these terms.
(*49)According to Ibn Hajar’s statement in Fathul Baari, vol. 10, p. 52, Ibn Hazm claimed that there is a break between Al-Bukhaari and the narrator, Sadaqah bin Khaalid. Whatever the case, both claims will be shown to be unfounded.
(*50)For details, refer to vol. 10, p. 52 of the Salafi edition, Cairo.
(*51)This is the short title of Al-Bukaari’s collection, and it means, “The Authentic Compilation.” It is most deserving of this title as it is the most authentic book after the Quraan.
(*52)See Fathul Baari, vol. 5, pp. 17-22, for details.
(*53)Such as Al-Bukaari’s history, At-Taareekh Al-Kabeer, Ibn Hibbaan’s Mawaarid Adh-Dhamaan and At-Tabaraani’s Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer.
(*54)i.e whether the companion’s name (rather his kunyah, signifying the appellation, “father of so and so”) was Abu Maalik or Abu ‘Aamir.
(*55)That is from both of the companions, Abu Maalik and Abu ‘Aamir. Thus, the question regarding the diference of the name is no longer an issue.
(*56)Taghleequt Ta’leeq, vol. 5, p. 22.
(*57)This book has been translated into English by various publishers under the title “The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam (Al-Hilal Wal Haram Fil Islam)” by Yusuf Al-Qaradwi.
(*58)The terminology “fuqahaa of hadeeth” used by Al-Qardaawi appears to reveal his unfamiliarity with proper designation of the various types of scholars of Islam according to their particular branch of Islamic science. Fuqahaa is a term applied to jusisprudents who study the legal issues derived from the shari’ah and who arrive at rulings in regard to them. Nowhere, to my knowledge, has the term fuqahaaul hadeeth been used in hadeeth criticism. The specialists in the area of criticism, verification and assesment of hadeeth literature are termed ashaabul hadeeth (those who relate and apply the hadeeth) or nuqqaadul hadeeth (critical assessors of hadeeth) or merely al-muhaddithoon (narrators of hadeeth). It appears that Al-Qardaawi depends on the views of “general “scholars, the likes of Al-Ghazaali, Ibnul-Arabi and Ibn Hazm rather than on the qualified specialists in the noble hadeeth sciences such as Al-Bukhaari, Muslim, Ahmad, Ibn Ma’een, Abu Dawood, Abu Zura’h, Ibn Abi Haatim, Ibnus-Salaah, Al-Iraaqi, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Hajar. These and their likes are authorities. But Al-Qardaawi has not quoted these or any of their calibre, even though there is a conensus among such qualified authorities that authentic hadeeths prohibiting music and its variants do exist, as shall be seen futher on in this paper.
(*59)See p.293 of his Al-Halaal wal Haraam fil Islam. Such bold, all-encompassing statements (if correctly attributed to Ibn Hazm and Ibnul-Arabi) are unfortunate examples of overstepping the boundaries of the scholars’ domain. Not even the most accomplished specialists in the field of hadeeth criticism would dare to make such blank statements such as, “Every hadeeth relating to prohibition of music is false.” or “There is no authentic hadeeth prohibiting music,” etc. because they dont know every hadeeth which exists nor the degree of every hadeeth which exists!! Had these scholars confined their views somewhat by saying something like, “As far as I know, there are no authentic hadeeths…”etc. that would have been closer to the truth, would have protected their honor and would not have left them open to blame and censure. But as it is said, “Every prize courser is prone to a fall”, all are prone to error except the true, chosen Messengers of Allah (may He exalt them and grant them peace).
(*60)This was due to his stubborn insistence on aplying only the meaning of the shari’ah texts (i.e. the literal wording of the Quraan and traditions). This attitude often led him to have peculiar, even ridiculous views regarding certain jurisprudential issues. See his work, Al-Muhalla for details.
(*61)Page 401 of his biographical work, Mukhtasar Tabaqaati Ulamaail Hadeeth.
(*62)The monumental Arabic dictionary, vol. 9, pp. 244-245.
(*63)In this form (’azf), it is an exception to the general principle of derivation by analogy. See Lisaanul Arab, vol. 9, p. 244.
(*64)In this form dufoof is plural of daff or duff, a small hand drum which is like the tambourine except that it doesnt have the steel objects which rattle. It consists of a narrow wooden rim. Around one side of it, a thin animal hide is bound tightly. Sound is evinced by tapping it with the fingertips or palm of the hand.
(*65)As-Sihaah, vol. 4, p. 1402.
(*66)Taajul ‘Aroos min Jawaahirul Qaamoos, vol. 6, p. 197.
(*67)A dictionary in which terms of the prophetic traditions appear.
(*68)See vol. 3, p. 230 of An-Nihaayah.
(*69)i.e. Fat-hul Baari, vol.10, p. 55.
(*70)When singing has musical accompanient it takes on the description of ‘azf or mi’zaf, i.e. musical entertainment.
(*71)Music, instruments and singing to musical accompaniment.
(*72)See vol. 2, p. 3 85 of the edition edited by Muhammad Mustafa Al-Adhami.
(*73)See ‘Ownul Ma’bood, vol. 13, p. 271.
(*74)Vol. 1, hadeeth no. 90, pp. 136-139.
(*75)Vol. 5-6, p. 105, hadeeth no. 5530.
(*76)Page 228, hadeeth no. 402.
(*77)See Ahmad’s Musnad, vol. 1, pp. 289 and 350, vol. 2, pp. 158 and 171-172.
(*78)See Ahmad’s Musnad, vol. 2, pp. 165 and 167.
(*79)The Arabian guitar, termed qinneen in the text of the hadeeth.
(*80)Witr refers to a voluntary prayer performed during the night after ‘Eeshaa (the night prayer). It consists of an odd number of units (raka’aat) from one to nine.
(*81)Vol. 1-2, p. 106, hadeeth no. 1743 and 1744.
(*82)Vol. 2, p. 1276, hadeeth no. 4503.
(*83)Vol. 4, pp. 283-285, hadeeth no. 1708 and p. 422, hadeeth no. 1806.
(*84)Entitled Al-Mustadrak ‘alas Saheehayn; the hadeeth appears on p. 40 of vol. 4.
(*85)For the details regarding the critical analysis and evaluation of this and related asaaneed, see Al-Albaani’s Silsilatul Ahadeeth As-Saheehah, vol. 1, hadeeth no. 428 and Al-Bagawi’s Sharhus Sunnah, vol. 5, p. 431.
(*86)Manuscript no. 2/22/1, as related by the scholars of hadeeth, Naasiruddeen Al-Albaani in his Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah, vol. 1, p. 170 of the 5th section.
(*87)A type of flute.
(*88)Its isnaad is authentic.
(*89)Al-Musnad.
(*90)Vol. 3, page 13.
(*91)For other authentic traditions which will establish the ruling of prohibition, see the valuable treatise, entitled Ahadeeth Dhammil Ghinaa wal Maazif fil Meezan, pp. 35, 47, 50 and 53 (Kuwait, Maktabah Daarul Aqsaa, 1986).
(*92)Soorah Qaaf, 50:37.
CONSENSUS OF THE COMPANIONS,TAABIEEN IMAMS AND OTHER FUQAHAA
No doubt, the companions of the Prophet) were the best people after the Messengers of Allah. The companions received the knowledge of Islam from the Prophet and faithfully conveyed it to us. Therefore, it is useful to know their views regarding the subject of this treatise, for their consensus (ijmaa’) carries absolute weight(*93) in this matter and clarifies the correct view, removing any lingering doubts in the hearts of those who have not yet been graced with the gift of surety (yaqeen) and conviction.
In order to further strengthen the view previously established, it is necessary to review the opinions of the taabi’een, the four imams and other accomplished scholars of Islam. One of the attributes of sound Islamic methodology is the reference to the views and positions held by the pious predecessors of the Islamic ummah and the respectful consideration with which one approaches them. However, their views, as with the views of all, must be subjected to the criterion of Allah’s Book and the authentically-related prophetic traditions. Since the prohibition of music has already been established beyond the slightest doubt through detailed proof from the authentic sunnah, this section of the treatise is presented merely for the sake of the reader’s knowledge and Islamic awareness.
THE POSITION OF THE COMPANIONS ON THIS ISSUE
A few of the later Shafi’ite scholars related Ibn Taahir’s(*94) claim that the sahaabah and taabi’een unanimously agreed upon the permissibility of singing (ghinaa); therefore, those who came after them have no right to challenge their authority. The Shafi’ite scholar, Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami Al-Makki (909-974 H.), mentioned(*95) that some went so far as to claim the supposed consensus of ahlul Madeenah on this question. They even accused twenty-four scholars from among the sahaaabah, as well as innumerable taabi’een, their followers, and the four imams and their disciples of singing and listening to song. However, regarding the previously mentioned claim by Ibn Taahir and those who indiscriminately followed him, an authority on Shafi’ite scholarship, Shihaabuddeen Al-Adhraa’i (708-783 H.) refuted such facile reports and insisted that Ibn Taahir was not dependable in such matters. Al-Adhraa’i related that in Ibn Taahir’s book Safwatut Tasawwuf (The Vanguard of Sufism) and his treatise, As-Samaa’a (Listening [to music, singing, etc.]), one finds disgraceful, scandalous things, along with ugly instances of fraudulent presentations of material(in defense of his position on this issue).(*96) Al-Adhraa’i further clarified that what has been attributed to the companions could not be established by authentically-related narrations (aaathaar), but rather, their assertions were based on reports of certain companions listening to poetry, chants or songs.(*97) This does not substantiate their allegations, for such things are permitted by consensus and fall outside the realm of this area of dispute.(*98) Clearly, it was related that some companions performed permitted aspects of singing, etc., however, these actions were distorted out of context by such persons to include every type of singing, without specification or restriction.
Al-Adhaar’i then quoted an authoritative Shafi’ite imam, Abdul-Qaasim Ad-Dowlaqi, who clarifies in his book As-Samaa’a, the vital point which is at the crux of this issue. He says, “It has not been related regarding any one of the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that he listened to the sort of singing which is of the disputed type;(*99) nor is it related that gatherings for song were organized for him, nor that people were invited to them – either publicly or privately, nor that he praised such song; rather, it was the companions’ habit to censure and blame such gatherings for the purpose of listening to it.”(*100)
Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami concludes his discourse by pointing out that it is clear from what has preceded that it is not permissible to blindly adhere to Ibn Taahir’s views, because he has deviated in both the point of view of his narrations (naql), and his personal opinions (aql). He was also a liar, innovator and a libertine. As for those who relate that the companions and others permitted the disputed types of song, they have committed an ugly mistake and have fallen prey to gross error. The issue of song and music is of two types: the first type is permitted by consensus, and the second type is disputed about as to its prohibition. To intimate that the companions’ listening to certain forms of poetry, singing, chanting, etc. is of the second type is invalid arbitrariness and is not based on the principles of jurisprudence and hadeeth science. Such principles clearly indicate that we must interpret whatever has been related on this issue regarding the companions as that type of song permitted by consensus.(*101)
Regarding this particular issue, Yoosuf Al-Qardaawi makes a bold and misleading statement. It reads: “It is related regarding a large number of companions and taabi’een, that they used to listen to song [ghinaa], and they didn’t see any harm in that.”(*102) This assertion is misleading for a number of reasons. Firstly, he claims that it has been “related”, however, he brings no valid proof of such a statement – not even a single pertinent tradition (athar) related to the companions(*103). Secondly, he leads the reader to believe that the sahabah listened to all types of song. This he accomplishes with the general wording “used to listen to song.” In reality, they only listened to particular types, as specified lawful in the sunnah. These types are restricted as to who may sing and who may listen, on what occasions they are allowed and in what manner they are to be delivered. The difference between what Qardaawi has intimated and what really occurred is like night and day.
In reality, the companions unanimously agreed upon the prohibition of music and song but allowed particular exceptions specified by the authentic sunnah. Many authentic narrations (aathaar) traced to the various sahaabah bear witness to this. For example, it is authentically related by Al-Bayhaqi that the companion, Abdullah bin Masood said, “Singing sprouts hypocrisy in the heart as rain sprouts herbs and greens.” As was related in an earlier portion of this treatise, when he was questioned regarding the meaning of the words {lahwal hadeeth}(*104) he replied, “I swear by Him besides Whom there is no other god that it refers to singing.”(*105) He repeated it three times over to emphasize his belief that the words from the Quraan were a rebuke and censure of singing. In addition to this, the same view was held by the four rightly-guided caliphs, the fuqahaa among the sahaabah such as Ibn Abaas, Ibn Umar and Jaabir bin Abdullah, as well as the general body of sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them all)(*106). Anyone who claims differently is requested to bring proof. It is further requested that it be an authentically-reported, clear and unambiguous text that it relate specifically to the point of dispute (mahallun nizaa).
THE VIEW OF THE TAABI’EEN IMAMS AND SCHOLARS AFTER THEM
The view held by the companions was generally adhered to by the taabi’een and their followers, the four imams and the great majority of dependable Islamic scholars up to the present time. From among the taabi’een and their followers, there are such authorities as Mujaahid, Ikrimah, An-Nakha’i and Al-Hassan Al-Basri.(*107)
IMAM ABU HANEEFAH:
Imam Abu Haneefah(*108) has perhaps the harshest view of the four famous Imams of jurisprudence. His school of thought is the strictest, for he detested singing and considered it sinful. As for his disciples, they have explicitly confirmed the prohibition of listening to all musical amusements and pastimes, including wind instruments (mazaameer),(*109) all types of tambourines, hand drums (dufoof)(*110) and even the striking of sticks(al-qadeeb). They have asserted that such actions constitute disobedience to Allah and that the performer of such action is sinful, therefore necessitating rejection of his testimony.(*111) They have further stated that it is incumbent upon the Muslim to struggle to avoid listening to such things, even if he were passing by or stationed near them (without any willful intention). Abu Haneefah’s closest disciple, Abu Yoosuf, stated that if the sound of musical instruments (ma’aazif) and amusements (malaahi) were heard coming from a house, the house could be entered without permission of its owners.(*112) The justification for this is that the command regarding the prohibition of abominable things (munkaaraat) is mandatory, and cannot be established if such entering rests upon the permission of the residents of the premises.(*113) This is the madhhab (position) of the rest of the Kufic scholars as well, such as Ibraheem An-Nakha’i, Ash-Sha’bi, Hammaad and Ath-Thowri. They do not differ on this issue. The same can be said of the general body of jurisprudence of Al-Basrah.(*114)
IMAAM MAALIK:
It is related by Ibnul-Jowzi that Ishaaq bin ‘Eesaa At-Tabba’a asked Imaam Maalik bin Anas,(*115) the leading jurisprudent of Madeenah, about the view of the people of Madeenah regarding singing (ghinaa). He replied, “In fact, that is done by the sinful ones.” Abut-teeb At-Tabari said, “As for Maalik bin Anas, he truly did prohibit singing and listening to it.” He further related that Maalik said, “If one purchased a slave-girl(*116) and found her to be a professional singer, he could return her to the original owner for reimbursement on the claim of having found fault in the merchandise.”(*117) The ruling of prohibition (tahreem) is generally agreed upon by the scholars of Madeenah. The Maaliki jurisprudence and commentator, Al-Qurtubi, reports Ibn Khuwayz Mandaad as saying that Imam Maalik had learned singing and music as a small boy until his mother encouraged him to leave it for a study of the religious sciences. He did, and his view became that such things were prohibited.(*118) Al-Qurtubi confirmed Maalik’s view by saying that the only exception to this general ruling was the type of innocent songs such as those sung to placate the camels during travel, or during hard labor or boredom or during times of festivity and joy, such as the ‘Eed days and weddings – the latter to the accompaniment of a simple daff (hand drum). Al-Qurtubi then said, “As for that which is done in our day, by way of the [blameworthy] innovations [bidah] of the Sufi mystics in their addition to hearing songs to the accompaniment of melodious instruments such as flutes, string instruments, etc., such is haraam [forbidden].(*119)
IMAAM SHAAFI’EE:
In the book, Aadaabul Qadaa, Ash-Shaafi’ee is reported as saying, “Verily, song is loathsome [makrooh]; it resembles the false and vain thing [al-baatil]. The one who partakes of it frequently is an incompetent fool whose testimony is to be rejected.”(*121) His closest and most knowledgeable disciples clearly stipulate that his position on this issue is that of prohibition (tahreem) and they rebuke those who attribute its legality to him.(*122) This is confirmed by the later Shafi’ite scholar, Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami. He related that one of Ash-Shaafi’ee’s disciples, Al-Haarith Al-Muhaasibi (d.243 H) said, “Song is haraam, just as the carcass [maytah](*123) is.” Furthermore, the statement that singing is haraam is found in the treatise, Ash-Sharh Al-Kabeer, by the authoritative Shafi’ite scholar, Ar-Raafi’ee (d.623 H.). This is further corroborated by the accomplished Shafiiite jurisprudent, Imam An-Nawawi (d.676 H.) in his Rowdah.(*124) Such is the correct view of the dependable scholars of the Shafi’ite madhhab. However, due to limited knowledge and personal fancy and desire, a few of their latter-day scholars disagree with this view.(*125)
IMAM AHMAD BIN HANBAL:
Imaam Ahmad’s(*126) position regarding this issue has been narrated in detail by the Hanbalite jurisprudent and Quranic commentator, Abul-Faraj Ibnul-Jowzi (d.597 H.) in his treatise, Tablees Iblees (Satan’s deception). He tells us that ghinaa during Ahmad’s era consisted primarily of a rhymed, rythmical chanting (inshaad) of poems(*127) whose purpose was to lead people to a pious, abstentious way of life. However, when such chanters began to vary their simple style to one of a throbbing, affected melody, the narrations regarding Ahmad began to dif
the Above article is a Good one and also this link is also benefical insha allah.
http://www.troid.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=540&Itemid=369
the Ruling concerning Music according to the Four Imams
brother Talha i personally do not think Music is allowed except the duff and not any other beats but there were like zillions of comments saying they are NOT prohibited so i avoided talking about that but another thing is that some people really go out of control “whooping it up ” as sis Yvonne said , not caring that they’re in their 40s. I mean they must be sensible..an old fool is worst than a young fool (sic)
**VENUE ORGANIZERS PLEASE NOTE**:
Although Dawud sometimes incorporates traditional a’capella “nasheed” into his play-lists, venue organizers should note that, piano and string instruments are a standard part of all Dawud’s performances – without exception……………
plz comment
Somebody please explain what does mean “In my teen years Sallah wasn’t really that tight
Now I gotta pray each one of them twice” In Sami Yusuf’s song – I’ve seen? who is Sallah ??? Please… it’s important!!!
Sallah means prayer.
I’m Indonesian, and I love Sami’s music, it is depend on yourself to filter all those influence before its entering your brain and heart.,,
There is nothing wrong with music, but it is wrong if you do nothing but listening music, and forget to serve your duty…
Music is forbidden in Islam why r u ppl in denial? Y r u guys lying and claiming that its premissble in islam wen its not? Its clearly stated in the quran and sunnah. sister yvonne is the truth i luv how she kept it reall stop hating on her and gain sum proper knowledge. May Allah keep us firm on ahul sunnah wal jamat
mona u’ve said it……!!!!
Oh Ummah….ya ikhwaan…..plz save yourself and pray for me
Salam brothers and sisters I think this so called debate/argument isn’t vry constructiv as we r jus being ignorant 2wards each other…we all hav our opinion on music at the end of the day if we tell sum1 it’s rite or wrong den leave it at that if they change their opinion den gd but we cnt force ne1..jus pray 4 each other ratha than condeming people..I think dis is wot Sami was focusing on the way to approach such matters n da gentle approach of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh)..it’s thru wisdom change is made…softness brings people closa 2 each otha n opens the heart 2 listen..I luv u all as my bro’s n sis’s of Islam regardless of ur view on music…hate the sin not the person..Salam
Wow, almost 300 responses to this. That’s insane.
asalamoalaikom my dear brothers and sisters im from iraq when the first time i listtened to samiyusuf after one year i weard hijab but it was so dificult for me beacause my father didnt let me to wearhng hijab aihamdolila aftear one year my father agree about my hijab so now i wont to speak with samiyusuf idont know his e-mail please who knows his e-mail send to me(zilan.mhamad@yahoo.com)now good bay god bless you all.
AA,
The only thing I dont understand is if theres such unclarity and we are going to argue over it, why not just avoid it?
Like as someone in the middle of like 300 comments said, why not just go pray two rakat Nafl?
Surely, praying must be better than listening to things that may or may not be halaal. For prayer is the gist of worship.
And Allah knows best.
MS,
Rustum
Somebody please explain what does mean “In my teen years Sallah wasn’t really that tight
How many of you guys agree that muslims aren’t terriosts? I know you guys agree and I’m begging you to sign this, all you have to simply do is go to this website. http://www.petitiononline.com/Salam/petition.html
Please read the agreement and click the sign here button and fill out a few things that takes a second or two to complete and submit. To be joining the rest of the people that agreed that muslims are not terriosts. Please sign this.
-Dearly hadey Thank you!
Sami yousaf is mifguided person who look GAY to me……….Who is misguided and trying to misguide others….
My open letter to SAMI YOUSAF,
Hello Man,
Yo , yo……Just kidding…..Man yu know tat Music is HARAM in da islam .u dont know tat..Dont yaaa….!!!!
Man Prophet allwood music jus on EID DAY ..Got ya….Man!!!1
So u can sing on Eid DAY…only
Bubyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
To the above i just hope your Arabic is not like how you just wrote ,as for Yvonne Ridley was payed sums of money to behave how she is .Or family would die ,coming from a undersource she is not who she says she is .She has been payed loads of money to set Muslims up she is the anti Christs servants to irriadicate Islam .
The song that is prohibited is the song that made us unmindful of the remembrance of Allah SWT …
We can convey something about Islam through songs that help people to be touched …. and it could be the beginning for people to deepen their understanding of Islam from Al Qur’an ….
My judgement is very good and if I am not wrong…I feel that this site is run by a Munafik..Hypocrite…..
So everyone be carefull….
The very name is so offending and insulting to the SACRED word of QURAN and Hadith….
Anyone who join this website with goodwiill will might die on KUFR..InshaAllah I will ask for FATWA from some respectable Sheikh.
assalam o alaikum!! brothers and sisters
its a very stupid question. the open letter by sami yusuf, did he write really himself??? i mean it was wonderful but so long and i wonder if he has time for this
Asalaamualaykum dear brothers and sisters in islam and greetings to the enemies, while reading this so called letter I saw that Sami Yusuf wrote ‘I’m proud to be muslim and proud to be British’.
Well lets think about this me well I’m muslim first and no I don’t call myself British for good reasons insh-allah as I will try to explain. The root word Brit=Contract and ish=Man so what would that make people who said they were British as this word comes from the Freemasons or the Knights Templars when they took England just as they took Brittany in France so please dear brothers lets try and refrain from using this horrid word. When people ask where am I from my simple response is I’m an English speaking Muslim