|
MUSIC
In this day and age, singing and music have become so common that nearly every street echoes with their sound. In fact very few houses will have no music or singing in them, otherwise there is always somebody either singing, playing music or listening to music.
Many of our youngsters while engaged in this sinful pastime turn the volume up so loud that it can be heard from quite a distance, regardless of the fact that they may be passing a masjid in which people may be engaged in Salaah, recitation of the Qur'aan or in zikr (Remembrance of Allah). Similar is the condition of those who are in the business or market trade. Throughout the whole working day the voice of Shaytaan, through songs and music, echoes in their ears.
We Muslims have begun to make songs and music a part of life just like many Kuffaar, so much so that a Muslim has almost erased from his or her heart that singing or listening to songs and music is a sin.
There was a time that even if a non-muslim celebrated an occasion with singing anywhere near the masjid, the Muslims would come into conflict with him on the grounds of his disrespect for the masjid, but unfortunately today we see the Muslims themselves passing a masjid or an Islamic gathering with songs and music being played out loud, songs that are usually from obscene films, yet they don't hesitate the slightest bit to refrain.
Thus it was thought necessary to Gather just some of the many verses of the glorius Qur’aan and a few of the numerous Ahaadeeth (sayings of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam) clarifying the ruling of Islam concerning songs and singing.
SINGING IN THE LIGHT OF QUR' AAN
There are four places in the glorious Qur' aan in which singing/listening to songs is prohibited. One of those four is,
"And of mankind there are those who pay for mere pastime of discourse, that they may mislead from Allah's Way without knowledge and make it the butt of mockery, for such there is a shameful doom (a humiliating penalty)."
In this verse the term "lahwal hadeeth" (pastime of discourse) is taken to mean singing.
Abdullah Ibne Mas'ood radhiyallahu anhu one of the eminent companions of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, when asked about the meaning of this verse, replied, "I swear by Allah, that this verse refers to singing." Mustadrak
He repeated this sentence three times, so as not to leave the least bit of doubt in the mind of the truth seeking believer. Ibne Abbaas radhiyallahu anhumaa, another eminent companion, while explaining the meaning of this verse said, 'Lahwal hadeeth' (pastime of discourse) means singing and other such acts." Tabri
Jaabir radhiyallahu anhu and many others held the same opinion. (Tabri, Qurtubi, Ibne Katheer)
The meaning of this verse is, that some people have desire for those things which make us unattentive and unmindful to Allah (i.e. singing, listening to songs and other such acts). These things are misguiding and misleading. In fact by doing such acts we are making a mockery of Deen, because the purpose of Deen is to bring one close to Allah and engage him or her in Allah's Worship, whereas singing and listening to songs has exactly the opposite effect; it makes one go further away from Allah and His Worship. For such people there is a humiliating penalty and a shameful doom.
SINGING IN THE LIGHT OF AHAADEETH
It is narrated in a Hadeeth by Aboo Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu that the noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Nearer to Qiyaamah some people of my Ummah will have their faces transformed into faces of apes and swines." The companions asked, "Will those people be Muslims?" The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, "Yes, they will testify that there is no God but Allah and I am his Prophet, they will also fast………" the companions asked, "Then why will they be subjected to such severe punishment?" The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, "These people will be in the habit of using musical instruments, singing (listening to singers) and will drink wine. One night after drinking wine they will be busy in singing and music and by dawn their faces will be transformed. Ibne Hibbaan
In another narration Sahl Ibne Sa’d radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "In this Ummah some people will be made to sink into the ground (alive), faces will be transformed and stones will be rained unto them." He was asked as to when this will happen. He replied, "When singers become common and when people begin to believe that wine is halaal (lawful)." Ibne Maajah
It is also narrated on the authority of Imraan Ibne Husayn radhiyallahu anhu that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "In this Ummah some people will be made to sink into the ground (alive), faces will be disfigured and stones will be rained unto them." Somebody asked as to when this will happen. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, "When singers and musical instruments become common, and when wine is drunk in abundance." Tirmizi
We understand from the above mentioned Ahaadeeth that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has warned us about those who indulge in singing and music. In the earlier nations transformation took place physically, e.g. the nation of Banoo Israa' eel. Their punishment for disobedience to Allah and His Prophet was that their faces were transformed into faces of apes and swines. Allah is all powerful. He is also able to do that now. Those listening to songs or singing are warned and thus must heed the warning.
Some Ulamaa are of the opinion that nearer to Qiyaamah disfigurement will take place. Those indulging in songs, singing and music will have their faces transformed. From the above we learn that what a grave sin it is to sing and listen to music. Besides the punishment in the Hereafter these people, due to severity of the sin, will be punished even in this world.
AN ISLAMIC RULING
It should be understood that any action which results in punishment (according to Qur'aan or Hadeeth) is haraam (unlawful). Thus singing and listening to songs will be classed as unlawful, as they result in punishment in the Hereafter as understood from the aforementioned verse.
THE SALAAT OF A SINGER
It is narrated by Ibne Mas'ood radhiyallahu anhu that one night the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam heard the voice of singing. Upon hearing, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said thrice, "His Salaat is not accepted." Naylul Awtaar
Singing songs is such a disgraceful act that the Salaat of those who indulge in it will not be accepted.
SINGING CREATES HYPOCRISY IN THE HEART
It is narrated on the authority of Ibne Mas'ood radhiyallahu anhu that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Singing creates hypocrisy in the heart just as water germinates crops and plants.” Bayhaqi
It is understood from this Hadeeth that singing brings about hypocrisy in the heart, and regarding the hypocrites Allah ta'aalaa says, "Lo, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth of the fire and you will find no helper for them."
Furthermore, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam himself called a singer Shaytaan. It is reported by Aboo Sa’eed radhiyallahu anhu that a man was coming towards the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam singing a song. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Catch this Shaytaan, catch this Shaytaan, prevent him from coming. It is better that a man's stomach be filled with blood and pus rather than him memorising songs. Muslim
And yet today many Muslims are hoisting Shaytaan's flag by committing this sin and ignoring the sayings of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
My dear brothers and sisters, singing and listening to songs and music is not trivial. We have already mentioned how dangerous this act is. Just to reiterate what the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said regarding the Salaat of a singer (i.e. it will not be accepted). How evil the consequence, when we know that the Salaat will be the first thing we will be questioned about on the Day of Judgement. Even after all these warnings if we still fail to take heed, then who will save us from the punishment? In a Hadeeth, reported by Anas radhiyallahu anhu molten lead will be poured into the ears of the man who listens to music.
Turn back my fellow Muslims, this is just another trap of the Shaytaan. Don't let him win and fight back by not listening to the music ever again. Instead illuminate your hearts by reciting the Qur' aan daily.
In the end, we ask Allah to save us from the acts which bring about His Wrath, and give us the strength to do those acts which attract His Pleasure. Aameen.
(Courtesy: Ulamaa of Bradford)
|
