In recent
years, certain developments have taken place which has brought the subject
of music as an extremely significant issue. Music has spread to such an
extent that it is afflicting every Muslim in this modern era. Today,
individuals are being confronted by a situation where one is forced to
listen to music whether by choice or without. Music is played in nearly
all department stores and super markets. Even whilst walking in the
streets, we find cars blaring with music. No matter which direction we go,
we are blasted with music. The increasing popularity of music, which is
prevalent in our society, poses a tremendous danger for Muslims.
Music is
Haraam References within the context of the Holy Qur'an along with the
Hadith of
the Prophet
confirm that music is haraam. Interpreters of the Qur'an have defined the
term `lahwal hadith` which is mentioned in the Qur'an as:
1) Singing
and listening to songs.
2)
Purchasing of male and female singers.
3) Purchase
of instruments of fun and amusement.
When
Sayyidana Abdullah Ibne Mas`ood , a very close companion of our Prophet (sallahu
alayhi wasallam), was asked about the meaning of the term `lahwal
hadith`. He replied "I swear by Him besides whom there is no other
God, that it refers to ghinaa (singing)".
This
statement, he repeated three times. This view is unanimously supported by
the four Khalifas, the eminent Sahabah, Tabi`een, the four Imams and other
reliable Islamic scholars and authorities. One hadith from the Bukhari
Shareef, the most authentic Book of Hadith, further confirms unlawfulness
of music and singing:
‘‘There
will be people of my Ummah who will seek to make lawful; fornication,
wine-drinking and the use of ma`aazif ( musical instruments )."
Detailed
analysis of the Arabic word `ma`aazif ` shows that it refers to musical
instruments, the sounds of those musical instruments and singing with the
accompaniment of instruments.
Closer
analysis of the wordings of the Hadith establishes the prohibition of
music. Firstly, the words `seek to make lawful ` shows that music is not
permissible, as logically one can only seek to make lawful that which is
not allowed. Secondly, if music was not prohibited, then it would not have
been brought within the same context as fornication and wine-drinking.
MUSIC -
IT`S EFFECTS
Muslims are
aware that nothing has been prohibited by Allah except that which is
harmful to the welfare of a Muslim individual and the society as a whole.
The divine attribute behind the prohibition of music can be comprehended
by looking into the diverse influence music can have.
Experiments
carried out by doctors and professors have confirmed that the music of
today is such that it does not only affect the brain, but each and every
organ of one`s body. There is a close relationship between music and
bodily movements. We find that people listening to music automatically
start tapping their fingers and feet, as if the music is permeating in
their blood.
It is also
proved that music affect`s one`s emotions, increases arousal in terms of
alertness and excitement and also leads to various physiological changes
in the person. In a psychology 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.
It is a
very ignorant and misguided attitude to perceive music as a form of
pleasure and passing of time, since 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 freedom, i.e. freedom of
speech, freedom of movement, etc. In western schools and universities, we
observe independence, free expression and secular thinking being
encouraged. This idea of freedom, "It`s my life, I`ll do what I want
" is a predominant, underlying theme of today`s music. It is being
used as a means for drilling western ideologies, which are totally
contrary to Islamic Shariah and values, into the minds of Muslims.
One should abstain from
evil audacities such as listening to music and encourage others to do the
same too.
MAY ALMIGHTY ALLAH GUIDE
US ALL TO THE STRAIGHT PATH- AMEEN.
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