i'm confused...In Islam, is music haram?

Question

Assalamo 'Aleikom! I would want to know the truth about how music is regarded in Islam. See, I've heard different peope giving out clashing opinions of music in Islam. Some say that it is haram. Some say that is is not really haram in certain conditions.

a.) Music is a deep word. It has several meanings
i. sounds that produce effect: sounds, usually produced by instruments or voices, that are arranged or played in order to create a pleasing or stimulating effect
ii. art of arranging sounds: the art of arranging or making sounds, usually those of musical instruments or voices, in groups and patterns that create a pleasing or stimulating effect
iii. type of music: music of a particular type, for example of a particular place or time, for a particular instrument, of a particular style, or appealing to a particular group

-If i try to sing or make my own lyrics which praises Allah, The Merciful and One God, about Islam, or good influenced youth songs, is this haram?
-Our nature also produces music. Isn't the birds chirping or the composition of nature's sounds into pleasant music also haram?
-How about peoples from Muslim countries? How do they create music(produce songs played in radio, albums, etc)
-I hear many Muslims recite the Holy Qur'an by singing it, thus creating a peaceful music. Isn't this an exemption?

I will really appreciate your answers. Thanks.

May Allah/God lead us to to the right path, the path of those whom He had blessed not of those who have turned astray.

Answer 1

We have CD's of Islamic music! How could it be haram?

Answer 2

Music in general can be used for a lot of good, just like many other things. The type of music we are not supposed to listen to is the type that is lewd (which includes a majority of western music, because of what it teaches and how it is degrading to our values and morals.) Unfortuantely, people start looking up to the singers, who aren't always good role models and they try to be like them. People are easily influenced by lyrics - sometimes they just have songs in their head nonstop, and sometimes they forget to turn to God in hard times and instead turn to music for comfort. When we put anything before God, then it becomes wrong, because we aren't balancing our lives, which is what a Muslim is told to do. We need to balance everything and as long as we are not doing something strictly forbidden (haram is a very strict word used for a very limited number of things by God,) and as long as it doesn't take us away from the rememberance of God, then it is permissible.

Answer 3

There are several opinions on the matter. I highly recommend you read the following: http://www.mountainoflight.co.uk/PDF/music_question_faith.pdf
It is a great article by Yusuf Islam explaining the research he did prior to coming back to performing.

I also recommend Zaytuna Institute's Season's Magazine, which had a article on the matter in its Summer 2004 issue.

Answer 4

Don't ask.As it is different in different schools of thought.Religion is all about limitations.If you don't like a limit just leave it,don't push it.I mean don't find explainations like a certain type of music is good or religion has reasons to ban the music.If you want to go ahead in life just go,why ask for permission.

Answer 5

Asalam Alaikum
I follow the opinon that it is haram. I have done my research and found that those who say it is not have a valid point. But the ones who say it is have more daleel from Quran and Sunnah. Here is a link. I would post the fatwa here but its to long. Allah knows best.

http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=5000&ln=eng&txt=instruments

Answer 6

depends on the lyrics and melody that provokes violence, hatred,sensuality,and the like are not allowed.
fundamentalist say that the only musical instrument permitted is the daff(sort of tambourine without the "bells"..

Answer 7

Music is not Haram in Islam.

Answer 8

Music is like guns.

Theyre not bad on their own, unless theyre used for a bad purpose, or result in evil, according to Islam.

Answer 9

This is the best explanation, and truest to the Quran and Hadith, that i've found-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k9gdEAhYTo

The only instrument that is haram is the duf, a small drum used to keep rythm. Anasheed thet are all vocal can be beautiful, I suggest-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ccgbH0YTQA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IILr6YhBLo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qdd605GhVk

Answer 10

no, Muslims traditionally sang Quran according to the Arabic musical rules (maq'am).