Place of Music in Islam

By S. Arshad, New Age Islam 29 January 2024 Islam Prohibits Vain Entertainment Main Points: 1. The Quran prohibits Lahw-al-Hadith meaning vain entertainment. 2. Women of Madina greeted the holy prophet with songs accompanied by duff. 3. Avicenna considered music useful in treatment of maladies. 4. Abbasid caliphate promoted music therapy. 5. Sufis considered serene music permissible. ------ Recently, a mufti of Kashmir in India issued a fatwa declaring a three member women musical band un-Islamic. The fatwa sparked a controversy and a debate on whether music was allowed in Islam and the basis of its permissibility or impermissibility started. We find some instances where the holy prophet of Islam pbuh did not object to playing music. The women of Madina had greeted the holy prophet pbuh with songs accompanied by duff (a musical instrument). On the day of Eid, the holy prophet pbuh watched along with Hadhrat Ayesha the Bedouins sing and play duff. However, the Quran uses a term Lahw-al- Hadith meaning vain entertainment. "But there are some who employ theatrics (Lahw-al-hadith) only to lead others away from Allah 's way ---- without any knowledge -- and to make a mockery of it. They will suffer a humiliating punishment. (Luqman:6) The term does not use the word music but the Islamic commentators and exegetes have meant music by Lahw. Law -al-Hadith literally means play of words. On the basis of this interpretation, the exegetes have concluded that the Quran completely rejects music. But going by the hadiths and instances from the holy prophet's life it can be inferred that music is not totally banned in Islam and that Lahw-al-hadith does not cover all forms of music and entertainment. The verse in chapter Luqman can also be interpreted as disapproval of a means of entertainment that leads people away from Allah's path and makes a mockery of it. The music that is used for positive purposes does not come under vain entertainment or Lahw-al-hadith according to this interpretation. Music has also been used for positive purposes since ancient times. In Egypt, China, Greece and Rome, music was used for treatment of physical and mental maladies. The great Muslim physician and scientist Avicenna (Abi Sina) considered music useful in curing disease. During Abbasid caliphate in the 7th and 8th century, music therapy was used in government hospitals called Bimaristan. During those days, music was obligatory for every learned man. In fact, the Arabs developed the art of music and Ibn Misjah of Umayyid era is called the father of 'Islamic music', a term that appears paradoxical. In the modern era, music therapy has developed considerably. Since the Quran has only disapproved of Lahw-al-hadith, it may be inferred that the Quran is not against the therapeutic use of music and is only against immoral or vulgar use of music. The Sufis have also used music in their assemblies of Samaa (Sufi music) though not all orders of Sufism approve of the use of music in Samaa. But indeed, some Sufi orders permit the restrained use of music in Samaa. Many prominent Sufis also knew how to play musical instruments. Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi was in favour of music and was deft in playing some musical instruments. His spiritual guide (murshid) Shams Tabrezi also knew the use of musical instruments. The great Urdu-Persian poet and disciple of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, Amir Khusrau, was also a great musician. Music, therefore, in itself is not good or bad in nature. It is good if used with good intentions and bad if used for bad purposes. Music played in accompaniment of vulgar dance under the spell of wine cannot be approved or music with vulgar songs that lead one away from Allah's way or to make a mockery of ethical and moral values can in no way be supported. Music that soothes the mind and provides spiritual solace to the listeners may be permitted. Music played on festivals or social events with considerations of moral and religious values have been approved. Islam warns Muslims against vain entertainment (Lahw-Al-Hadith) and Lahw-O-Layib (useless pastime). It warns Muslims against unbridled vulgar or immoral activities of entertainment that give way to moral corruption and waywardness among the people. Islam prescribes a moderate approach in every matter of social significance including music. ----- S. Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com. URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-culture/quran-music-prophet-muslims/d/131609 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism