ISLAMIC SONGS WITH MUSIC
<TABLE title="" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD title="" width="100%">Q: Muhtaram Mufti Saheb; Assalaamu Alaykum
Is it permissible to listen to Islamic songs with the sound of music in the background. Some people assert that beating of the Duff (drum) is established in Hadith.
A: To assert on the basis of some Ahaadith that to listen to Islamic songs with music in the background is incorrect. Several Ahaadith clearly prohibit the use of the drum as well as other musical instruments. Consider the following Ahaadith:
* Hadhrat Ibn Masood (Radhiallaahu ҁnhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) declared every wine, gambling, beating of drums and every intoxicant as Haraam. (Abu Dawud)
* Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallaahu nhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) prohibited the beating of drums. (Kanzul Ummaal)
* The Kubah (drum) is Haraam. (Bayhaqi; Musnad Bazzar)
These Ahaadith are general and prohibit the beating of the drum. Those who claim that the beating of drums is permissible generally use the Hadith wherein it is reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, QAnnounce the Nikah even though it be with the Duff. (Mishkat)
In another narration, it is reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed by little girls who were beating drums. (Ibn Maajah)
However, to use these Ahaadith to substantiate the beating of drums as a musical instrument is baseless. The beating of drums on the occasions was for the purpose of announcement of a Nikah or the arrival of somebody or the sighting of the moon. There is no evidence whatsoever that drums were used merely for ґentertainment. Rather it is reported that when Umar (Radhiallaahu ҁnhu) heard the sound of beating drums, he would send a person to inspect the occasion. If it was a Nikah (which was being announced by means of the drum) he would keep quite. Otherwise, he would punish those involved. (Fathul Qadeer)
In contemporary times there is no need to use the drum to announce any occasion, nor is it used for such purposes. In these times, it is used commonly as a musical instrument. The use of the drum as a musical instrument is expressly forbidden as has been clearly ascertained from the Ahaadith mentioned in the beginning. Also, music itself is expressly forbidden in Deen. Allah Taala says:
* Almighty Allah Taңla says in the Noble Qurn: And there are some people who purchase idle talk㑅 for them is a severe punishment. Ibn Masҳod (Radhiyallaahu nhu) says that this verse was revealed regarding singing.
* Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, Allah ordered me to destroy musical instruments.ђ
* Rasulullah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) said, QPeople from my Ummat will drink wine and give it other names and singing girls and musical instruments will be played before them. Allah will cause the earth to swallow them, and disfigure their faces into apes and pigs.
* Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ҁlayhi Wasallam) mentioned, When singing girls and musical instruments becomes common, wait for red winds, earthquakes, the earth swallowing people, disfiguring and many more punishments.ђ (Mishkt 470)
In the light of the above, it is not permissible to hear Islamic songs having the sound of beating drums in the background.
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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