Does Islam prohibt arts?

Question

Is it true that most Muslim scholars insist that most arts are forbidden in Islam, including:
1- Painting
2- Music & Songs (all genre)
3- Sculpture
4- Dance (even Ballet)

I found many Fatwa that support the above claim. I also notice that in countries that fully implement Islamic laws (such as Saudi) there is no music halls, theatres, or even teaching of art at schools.

Answer 1

No to all questions. These Fatwas are based on fabricated hadiths.

Saudis have implemented the Sharia Law which is based on Sunni hadiths and Iran has implemented the Sharia Law based on their version of hadiths. There is no restruction according to Qur'an.

Answer 2

Just to start off, fatwas are "ammendments" added on by zealous "leaders." If it's not commanded or mandated by God, it's not part of the religion.

There are certain aspects of each of the arts you described that are forbidden, but it does not make the art in whole a forbidden topic. For example, it is forbidden for a female dancer to dance in the presence of a man that is not part of her immediate family, however to dance with other women (like often done at weddings and such) is no problem. And likewise a man shouldn't dance in front of a woman. The same goes for singing. Another no-no in Islam is to spend too much time in (for lack of a better word) useless activities. The arts have no purpose other than to please the eyes/ears of others. One should rather spend more time studying religion and science and politics, researching things that could make life and society better.
On to sculpture and painting. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, paintings and sculptures were not classified as art in the sense that we use today, but they were worshipped as gods and goddesses. You may recall the story of when Muhammad re-overtook the Kaaba (the first house of worship to God), smashing the idols and cleaning it out. It is the first and most important belief as a Muslim to worship God and God alone, as none else are worthy, nor do none else compare to Him. So during this time, it makes sense that idols that were worshipped alongside of or before God be declared forbidden. If we look at today's arts, Michaelangelo's David and Mona Lisa are not worshipped, but seen as beautiful works that are nice to look at. Granted, there are some cultures and religions that still worship statues, but even westerners who like worldly arts in their homes know that their Ganesh or Buddha is only a piece of stone/metal.
You can look up the arts from the Ottoman/Byzantine Empires to get a glimpse into history. Basically, it isn't the arts themselves that are forbidden, but certain aspects that may attach themselves to the arts (wasting precious time, mixing of the sexes in an inappropriate way, etc).

BTW, Saudi is very poor at implementing Islamic law. They're one of those governments that like a cut & paste version of Islam. Women driving is a fine example of that, Islam doesn't forbid it, but Saudi does. Not a very good example of a true Muslim society, even with Mecca and Medinah, unfortunately.

Answer 3

Well in an essence NO Islam does not ban them but there are limitations - painting and sculpture you can not draw/sculpt human/animal paintings and stuff. Other than that drawing nature or abstract painting or sculpting like that is allow. There is a conflict over music. In general it's not allowed but DUFF (I don't know the english word for it. It's that round hand held drum kind of thing) - little girls played it for the Prophet (pbuh) once and he did not stop them so some say only that is allowed some totally ban music. Which brings us to dancing and I believe that is now allowed unless I guess females are doing it in company of other females which is what happens in most of the time.

Answer 4

In the seventh century A.D., the prophet Muhammad (SAW) was
sent to the people of Arabia. Within a decade of his death
the Muslims had conquered all of the Arabian peninsula. Within a
century, Islam had spread from Al-Andalus in Spain to the borders of
China. Islam unified science, theology, and philosophy. Muslims were
commanded to study, seek knowledge, and learn and benefit from
others' experiences by Allah (SWT) in the holy Quran and by the
prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the Sunnah. It was this that inspired the Muslims to great heights in sciences, medicine, mathematics,
astronomy, chemistry, philosophy, art and architecture.

Muslim scholars began obtaining Greek treatises and started
their study and translation into Arabic a few centuries after
the Hijrah (622 A.D.) They critically analyzed, collated , corrected
and supplemented substantially the Greek science and philosophy.
After this period began what is known as the Golden Age
of Islam, which lasted for over two centuries. It is here we find
many of the great scientists of Islam who literally left behind
hundreds and thousands of books on the various branches of science.

Answer 5

Muslim art can never represent a living being, because it could lead to idolatry. This led to the beautiful "arabesques" in Moorish art, which used flowing geometric shapes.

I don't know what the Muslim clerics are saying these days, as I am a Christian.

Answer 6

it's not right.if u come to isfahan (the cultural capital of the islamic world) u can see islamic arts.and u will be surprised.about musicyes they said no to it but they agreed it with their deeds.
about dance it's the only part that u r saying the truth.

Answer 7

Read Quran and Hadith,

Music in not allowed I know, Painting is not totally forbiden but a picture of living is forbiden..

lastely get help from quran and sunnah

Answer 8

I would advice you to go to knowledgeable scholar instead of taking opinion of regular people who probably doesn't have basic knowledge.

Answer 9

i dont think so . many beutiful arts have flourished during islamic period.Its the interpretation to suit the clerics.

Answer 10

Yes.