´It was narrated that Abu Balj said:` "I heard Muhammad bin Hatib say: 'What differentiates between the lawful and the unlawful is the voice (singing).'"
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
By "voice" is meant the announcement of the marriage, or the sound of song and the duff (hand drum). Since the husband and wife are to spend the rest of their lives together, at the very least, all the people of the neighborhood should know that so-and-so has married so-and-so, so that later, when they come and go, no one should object; rather, love for the relationship should be fostered.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 3372
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
The purpose of the hadith is that marriage should not be conducted secretly, but rather openly. The arrival of the wedding procession (baraat) at the time of marriage, the marriage taking place in a gathering, and the presence of witnesses to the marriage all make the marriage public. Along with this, marriage is also an occasion of happiness, and on such joyous occasions, children have a special fondness for singing wedding songs and playing the duff (frame drum). Therefore, children should be permitted on such occasions to play the duff and sing national songs so that the marriage is well publicized. However, it is necessary that those singing and playing music are children, not professional singers and musicians who are invited for this purpose. For adults (whether men or women), singing and playing music is prohibited. The use of musical instruments other than the duff is forbidden (haram). The duff is an extremely simple instrument; its sound is also light and simple, therefore its use is permitted. Drums and similar instruments are forbidden (haram). And Allah knows best.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 3371
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Explanation:
1:
From this hadith, it is understood that marriage should be conducted openly and publicly, not secretly or in hiding. This is because when marriage is performed openly, no one gets the opportunity to cast aspersions on the relationship between husband and wife. Generally, it is observed that only invalid or improper marriages are conducted in secrecy.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 1088
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
The lawful method for establishing marital relations is nikah (marriage contract). In this, the general public becomes aware that so-and-so has married so-and-so, whereas illicit relations are established secretly, and efforts are made so that people do not become aware of these relations. The very purpose of appointing witnesses in nikah is this.
➋
The purpose of beating the duff (frame drum) on the occasion of marriage is also so that everyone becomes aware of the marriage. On this occasion, songs, etc., may also be sung, provided that their lyrics are not contrary to the teachings of the Shariah. And the singers should be minor girls. Expressing happiness in this manner is also permissible during the days of Eid.
➌
The duff is an instrument similar to a drum. It has leather stretched on only one side, whereas a drum has leather on both sides; therefore, the sound of the duff is not as loud and pleasing as that of the drum.
➍
Some people try to prove the permissibility of all kinds of music and entertainment from the permissibility of the duff. This reasoning is incorrect. Even though the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) permitted the duff, he himself did not take interest in it. (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-‘Eidayn, Chapter: The Spears and Shields on the Day of Eid, Hadith: 949)
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 1896