Anaya Nolan
Music in Islam is a complex and multifaceted topic, with a range of views and practices across different regions and sects. While some groups strictly prohibit music, citing Quranic interpretations and hadith traditions, others argue that music is permissible as long as it does not encourage immorality or interfere with religious duties. The history of Islamic music is rich and varied, with influences from pre-Islamic Arabian, Persian, Byzantine, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Turkish, and Moor traditions, and it has, in turn, influenced European and Western music. The question of whether music is permissible under Sharia law, a religious legal system in Islam, varies depending on the specific interpretation and context.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Music in public places | Permissible to visit, even if the music is suitable for entertainment, as long as one does not intentionally listen to it. |
| Music in private places | Permissible to listen to music as long as it is halal. |
| Music education | Permissible for adults and children to learn the art of halal music as long as it does not negatively affect their upbringing. |
| Singing | Haram to sing, listen to singing, or make a living from it. |
| Musical instruments | Flutes, woodwind instruments, and drums are considered haram. |
| Islamic music | Refers to religious music or the musical traditions of the Muslim world. |
| Islamic view of music | Disputed, with some groups believing it is strictly prohibited, while others believe it is halal as long as it does not go against the teachings of Islam. |
| Notable Islamic scholars on music | Imam al-Ghazali, Hussein Rashid, Shaykh al-Azhar Mahmud Shaltut, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and others have stated that music is permitted as long as it does not encourage people to go against the faith. |
| Exceptions | Some believe that all instruments are allowed as long as the music is halal and not sexually arousing. Women playing the Daf at celebrations and festivals are also considered an exception by some groups. |
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What You'll Learn
Islamic music and its history
The earliest writings on Islamic music date back to the end of the 9th century, over 250 years after the advent of Islam. In the absence of historical documents, the origins of Islamic music were largely speculative, with musicians, writers, and philosophers filling in the gaps with legendary sources or vague traditions.
In pre-Islamic times, music was closely connected with poetry and dance. Music was an emotional extension of the solemn declamation of poems in Bedouin society. The poetry composition was dependent on the musical pattern in its verses, and the music mode or song was dependent on the type and form of poetry. Thus, music pervaded poetry, adding a new dimension to the pursuit of chivalry and good language skills, which were highly valued by the Arabs.
Islamic art and music flourished during the Islamic Golden Age, and Islamic music is credited with influencing European and Western music. Classical Islamic music, or the "new art," developed and modified over several centuries, with rhythmic and melodic modes growing in number and complexity, and new vocal and instrumental genres emerging. It is characterized by a subtle organization of melody and rhythm, with the vocal component predominating over the instrumental. The artist is generally the composer and performer and is encouraged to improvise, focusing on the details of the work rather than following a preconceived plan.
The core area where classical Islamic music succeeded stretched "from the Nile valley to Persia." However, many parts of the Muslim world did not adopt classical Islamic music, instead retaining native music forms that were "alien" to it. The further from this axis one travels, the less undiluted Islamic music is found. For example, the folk music of the Berbers in North Africa, the Moors in Mauretania, and other ethnic groups in countries like Turkey and Indonesia, remained distinct from classical Islamic music.
Islamic music has also influenced the music of Muslim-majority countries in South Asia, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, and countries with sizable Muslim minorities such as India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Here, Middle Eastern genres merged with indigenous classical musical modes, resulting in styles and orchestrations that are generally distinct from those on the periphery of the Islamic world.
The question of whether music is permitted in Islamic jurisprudence is disputed. While there is a popular perception that music is generally forbidden in Islam, this is open to interpretation, and no Islamic scholar would argue that Qur’anic recitation (qira’at) is forbidden. In fact, the traditional consensus is that nothing can be forbidden that is not explicitly forbidden by the Qur'an or the Prophet. As a result, contemporary scholars have issued legal rulings that audio arts that do not encourage people to go against the faith are permitted.
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Music in public places
The question of whether music is permitted or forbidden in public places under Sharia law is a matter of debate among Islamic scholars. While some argue that music is haram (forbidden), others contend that it is halal (permissible) as long as it does not encourage people to go against the Islamic faith.
According to some Islamic scholars, certain types of music and musical instruments are considered haram. For example, string instruments like guitars and violins are forbidden, and playing drums and cymbals is believed to invite the presence of Shaitan (the devil). Singing and playing flutes are also considered haram, and payments for these activities are prohibited. Additionally, music with lyrics that are vulgar, obscene, or against Islamic teachings, such as praising wine, is forbidden.
However, there are exceptions to the prohibition on music in public places. Some scholars allow for the use of certain instruments, such as the daff (a type of drum) by women during celebrations and festivals. This exception originates from a hadith in which the Islamic Prophet Muhammad allowed two young girls to sing to a woman during a festival. Imam al-Ghazali also concluded that music, in general, is not haram, as long as it does not encourage people to go against the Islamic faith. Notable Islamic figures, including Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, Rumi, and Ibn Rushd, are believed to have held the view that music is halal.
In public places, it is permissible to visit places where halal music is being played, even if it is for entertainment purposes. However, one should not intentionally listen to the music. For example, hearing forbidden music without intending to listen to it in public parks, restaurants, and cafes is not considered a problem.
The interpretation of Sharia law regarding music in public places varies among Muslim-majority countries and communities. While prohibitions on music are rare or non-existent in many Muslim-majority states, they have been enforced in regions under the control of Islamist insurgent groups, such as the Taliban in Afghanistan.
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Halal music
The relationship between music and Islam is complex and has been long debated. Some Muslims believe that the Quran and Sunnah prohibit music (both singing and instruments), while others believe that some forms of music are permissible. The permissibility of music in Islam depends on the type of music, the context in which it is played, and the intentions of the listener.
According to some Islamic scholars, music that does not deviate followers from the path of Allah is considered halal. Music with inappropriate content, such as flashy displays of wealth, immodest behaviour, or references to alcohol and illicit activities, is generally considered haram. However, the line between halal and haram music is not always clear, and there are differing opinions among scholars and followers of Islam.
Some Muslims believe that only devotional or religious music is permissible, while others allow secular music as well. In recent decades, a new generation of Muslim musicians has emerged, blending their work and faith, adding extra significance to the debate. Historically, Islamic art and music flourished during the Islamic Golden Age and continued to thrive until the 19th century in the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires.
The concept of "halal music" is often associated with specific guidelines. For example, the music should not be sexually arousing or contradict Islamic values. The use of certain instruments may also be restricted, with some Muslims believing that only drums and tambourines are permissible, while others allow all instruments as long as the music is halal. Singing, or "al-ghina," is generally considered haram, especially when it is used for entertainment and amusement. However, a cappella devotional singing is a rich tradition in Islam, and some scholars argue that there is no authentic hadith prohibiting it.
In conclusion, the concept of halal music in Islam is multifaceted and subject to interpretation. While some Muslims may restrict their engagement with music, others find ways to incorporate it into their worship and daily lives while adhering to their religious beliefs. The lack of a scholarly consensus on the matter highlights the complexity of the issue, and individual followers of Islam may ultimately decide what types of music they consider permissible within the framework of their faith.
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Singing
There are differing views on the permissibility of singing in Islam. Some sources state that singing is haram, or sinful, and that listening to or performing songs (al-ghina') is forbidden. This includes singing or listening to songs of praise for the Prophet or Ahlul Bayt, which is considered disrespectful.
However, other sources suggest that singing is permissible in Islam, as long as the content of the songs is not obscene or harmful to Islamic morals. Singing moral songs without instrumentation, known as nasheeds, are considered halal by many Muslims. Sufi devotional songs are also performed in public for the enjoyment of listeners, and bardic singing is common in Central Asian countries.
Some scholars argue that nothing can be forbidden that is not explicitly forbidden by the Qur'an or the Prophet. Based on this interpretation, contemporary scholars have issued rulings that audio arts that do not encourage people to go against the Islamic faith are permitted.
Additionally, there is a philosophical perspective on the role of music and singing in Islam. The Ikhwan as-Safa, a 10th-century philosophical group, argued that the Voice of God, heard by the Prophet Moses, was the truest form of music. They believed that human audio arts, including singing, are necessary echoes that remind us of this divine music.
In conclusion, while there are differing views on the permissibility of singing in Islam, it appears that the content and context of the singing are crucial factors in determining its permissibility. Singing that is deemed to be disrespectful to the Islamic faith or harmful to Islamic morals is generally considered haram, while singing that is moral and devotional is more likely to be considered halal.
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Musical instruments
The use of musical instruments in Islamic music is a complex and nuanced topic, with differing views among Islamic scholars and adherents. The word "music" in Arabic has a narrower definition than in English, originally referring specifically to secular art music, while folk songs and religious chants had separate classifications.
Islamic music may refer to religious music played in Islamic public services or private devotions, or it may refer more generally to the musical traditions of the Muslim world. The Muslim heartlands include the Middle East, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Balkans, West Africa, Iran, Central Asia, and South Africa. Due to the multi-ethnic nature of Islam, the musical expression of its adherents is incredibly diverse, with indigenous traditions influencing the musical styles popular among Muslims today.
Historically, the question of whether music is permitted in Islamic jurisprudence is disputed. While some groups strictly prohibit music, citing the Quran and Islamic tradition, others argue that music is allowed as long as it does not encourage people to go against their faith. Notable Islamic scholars and figures who are believed to have considered music as halal include Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi, Ibn al-Qaisarani, Ibn Sina, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Rumi, Ibn Rushd, and Ibn Hazm.
The use of musical instruments specifically has been a point of contention. Some scholars, like the Deobandi scholar Muhammad ibn Adam Al-Kawthari, argue for exceptions in the prohibition of music for certain instruments and contexts. In one instance, the Islamic Prophet Muhammad instructed Abu Bakr to let two girls continue singing and playing the Daf, a type of drum, during a celebration or festival. This has been interpreted by some Muslims to mean that all instruments are allowed as long as the music is halal and not sexually arousing or un-Islamic.
However, other scholars have taken a stricter stance, considering certain instruments, such as flutes, as munkar (evil). Abu Yusuf, for example, stated that hearing the sound of musical instruments is forbidden and that one should intervene to stop it. Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini also held a stringent view, stating that music is a "betrayal of the nation and of youth" and should be suppressed.
The permissibility of musical instruments in Islamic law seems to depend on the context, content, and intention behind their use. While some scholars and adherents strictly prohibit their use, others allow for exceptions for specific instruments, types of music, and occasions.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the type of music and the school of thought you follow. Some groups, like the Salafi, Wahhabi, and Deobandi denominations, believe that the Quran and Islamic tradition strictly prohibit music. However, others argue that music is permissible as long as it does not encourage people to go against the faith or lead to immoral behaviour.
Singing is generally considered haram, especially in the form of 'al-ghina', which refers to amusing or entertaining statements expressed through song. However, some sources suggest that singing is not haram unless the subject matter of the songs goes against the teachings of Islam.
The use of musical instruments is also a matter of debate. Some scholars consider them haram, while others believe they are permissible as long as they are used for acceptable or halal types of music.
Yes, there are some exceptions. For example, the Deobandi scholar Muhammad ibn Adam Al-Kawthari argues that women are allowed to play the Daf, a type of drum, during celebrations and festivals. Additionally, some Muslims believe that all instruments are allowed as long as the music is halal and not sexually arousing or un-Islamic.
Yes, Islamic music is credited with influencing European and Western music. For example, French musicologist Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger claims that classical Islamic music influenced the music of the Abbasids. Additionally, the Sufis, or Muslim mystics, are known for spreading their music far and wide, with Khaliji music having roots that go back over 1,000 years to the Islamic period.
