Question:

What is the ruling on Islamic songs?

Fatwa:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

No doubt the songs that are commonly known in the media or elsewhere contain many forbidden matters, such as the words that call to vice and immorality, music, women singing for men, etc. In addition, songs keep the person away from the way of Allah, prevent him from occupying himself in the worship of Allah and in what is useful for him in this life and the Hereafter. Allah Says (what means): {And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah, the Verses of the Quran) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire).} [Quran 31:6]

The majority of Muslim scholars believe that "Idle talks" in the above verse, means singing. Ibn Masuood used to swear that the "Idle talks" in the verse refer to singing. He said: 'singing grows hypocrisy in the heart as water grows herbs'.

A Muslim can listen to Islamic rhymes that contain wisdom, exhortation, encouragement to do good, and love of religion, and spread hatred of evil and its means. However, if the Islamic rhymes or any kind of good poetry is mixed with music then listening to it becomes forbidden. If the Islamic rhymes contain sounds similar to music, it seems that they become forbidden since the ruling of music applies to them. Music is forbidden for its bad effects and consequences, so everything that has similar effects and consequences take the same rule as music, i.e. becomes forbidden.

Finally, one should avoid making it a habit; he may use it at special times and on special occasions. Many people become so addicted to it that they do not feel reverence except when listening to such singing. They do not even feel such reverence while listening to the recitation of the Quran. No doubt, the Book of Allah is purer and more immaculate than any thing. Allah Says (what means): {Allah has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of Allah. …} [Quran 39:23]

The companions of the Prophet used to busy themselves in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet .

However, there is no harm in listening to Islamic rhymes as long as it does not replace the Book of Allah and it is not made a habit.

Allah knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb