Music and Its Association with Satan: Islamic Perspectives and Rulings

Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (May Allah preserve him)

71. Does Satan Make a Woman Appealing (to Non-Mahram)?

Answer:

Yes, indeed!

It is narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“المرأة عورة، فإذا خرجت استشرفها الشيطان، وأقرب ما تكون من ربها وهى فى قعر بيتها”

"A woman is a form of concealment; when she leaves her home, Satan makes her appear attractive to people, and a woman is closest to her Lord when she is within the innermost parts of her home."

72. Is Looking at Non-Mahram Women an Act from Satan?

Answer:

Yes!

It is narrated by Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“النظرة سهم مسموم من سهام إبليس، فمن غض بصره عن محاسين امرأة له، أورث الله قلبه حلاوة إلى يوم القيامة”

"The gaze is a poisoned arrow from the arrows of Satan. Whoever lowers his gaze from the beauty of a woman for the sake of Allah, Allah will place a sweetness in his heart until the Day of Judgment."

73. I am Married. If I See a Woman and Feel Attracted, Is This from Satan? What Should I Do?

Answer:

It is narrated by Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“إن المرأة تقبل في صورة شيطاني، وتدبر في صورة شيطان، فإذا رأى أحدكم امرأة فأعجبته فليأت أهله، فإن ذلك یرد ما في نفسہ”

"A woman comes and goes in the image of Satan. When any of you sees a woman and feels attracted to her, let him go to his wife to fulfill his need; this will rid him of his inner desire."

For unmarried men and women, it is recommended to fast, as fasting acts as a shield. I advise women to fear Allah, observe Islamic veiling, and avoid adornment and soft speech with non-Mahram men to foster a healthy society.

74. What Means of Transport Existed in Ancient Times, and Did Satan Accompany Them?

Answer:

Allah Almighty says:

“وَمِنَ الْأَنْعَامِ حَمُولَةً وَفَرْشًا ۚ كُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّـهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ”

"And of the livestock are those for burden and those for carpets. Eat of what Allah has provided for you and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Verily, he is to you a clear enemy." [Surah Al-An'am: 142]

In this verse, "حَمُولَةً" refers to animals such as camels, horses, mules, and donkeys that bear loads, while "فَرْشًا" refers to animals like sheep. Allah commands not to follow the footsteps of Satan, for he is a clear enemy to humankind, as evident in the following verses.

75. Is Satan Involved When Someone Falls from a Mount?

Answer:

Imam Ahmad narrates from Abu Tamimah that he mentioned being with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) on his donkey when the animal threw him off. He said, "May Satan be destroyed." The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) replied:

“لا تقل : تعس الشيطان. فإنك إن قلت: تعس الشيطان . تعاظم، وقال: بقوتي صرعته، و إذا قلت: باسم الله، تصاعر حتيٰ يصير مثل الذباب”

"Do not say, 'May Satan be destroyed.' If you say so, he will feel mighty and say, 'I brought him down by my power.' Instead, say, 'In the name of Allah,' and he will become as insignificant as a fly." [Musnad Ahmad]

76. Is Poetry Satanic Speech?

Answer:

Yes!

It is narrated by Sayyiduna Jubair bin Mut'im (may Allah be pleased with him) that he observed the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) saying three times in his prayer:

“الله أكبر كبيرا، الحمد لله كثيرا، سبحان الله بكرة وأصيلا”

"Allah is the Greatest, very great, and all praise is due to Allah in abundance. Glory be to Allah morning and evening."
Then he recited:

“أعوذ بالله من الشيطان من نفخه و نفثه وهمزه”

"I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, from his pride, his poetry, and his insanity."

[Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 701]

Amr commented, interpreting "نفثه" as poetry, "نفخه" as pride, and "همزه" as madness.

This reveals that filthy poetry is indeed Satanic speech. Allah Almighty says:

“وَالشُّعَرَاءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ”

"And the poets are followed by those who go astray."

[Surah Ash-Shu'ara: 224]

Muslims are advised to restrain from any speech that could invite the displeasure of Allah and His Messenger, as such speech sows hypocrisy in the heart, much like water nourishes crops. It reduces modesty, increases selfish desires, and erodes courtesy. Those addicted to such speech are foolish, and their testimony should not be accepted.

Is Music the Flute of Satan?​

Answer:
Yes, indeed!

It is narrated from Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) once came to her home, where two young girls were singing songs about the Battle of Bu’ath (a famous battle among the Arabs). The Prophet (ﷺ) lay down on the bed and turned his face away. Meanwhile, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) entered and scolded her, saying, "The flute of Satan is being played near the Prophet (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) turned towards Abu Bakr and said, "Leave them." When Abu Bakr was momentarily distracted, Aisha signaled to the girls, and they left. [Sahih Bukhari 1/119, Sahih Muslim 2/609, Sunan Al-Kubra by Bayhaqi 10/224]

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) referred to music as the "flute of Satan," and the Prophet (ﷺ) did not object to this, which indicates that indeed, music is considered the flute of Satan.

Objection:
If music is the flute of Satan, then why did the Prophet (ﷺ) allow it in his presence and not forbid it?

Response:
This was because the two girls were young and not accountable under Islamic law (non-Mukallaf). They were singing a song of the Bedouins.

Some people argue that this Hadith justifies the permissibility of music. However, this inference is incorrect, because:➊ The ones singing were young girls who were not legally accountable and were singing in an appropriate manner.➋ One of the girls had made a vow to sing if the Prophet (ﷺ) returned safely, so she was fulfilling her vow.

As for today’s vulgar songs, immodest dancing, and clubs, these are certainly not permissible.

78. Is There Any Connection Between the Creation of Camels and Satan?​

Answer:
Yes!

It is narrated from Abdullah bin Mughaffal al-Muzani (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“صلوا فى مرابض الغنم، ولا تصلوا فى أعطان الإبل، فإنها خلقت من الشياطين”

"Pray in the enclosures of sheep, but do not pray in the enclosures of camels, for they are created from the devils."

[Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 769]
Shaykh Salim Hilali classified this Hadith as Sahih (authentic) in Mawsu’at al-Manahee ash-Shar’iyyah (1/436).

This means that every upper part of the camel’s back, specifically its hump, is associated with Satan, and when Allah's name is mentioned, it diminishes in power. Allah has subjugated camels for the service of humankind, so use them in beneficial ways.

79. Is it Permissible to Curse Satan During Prayer?​

Answer:
Yes!

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) once stood in prayer, and we heard him say:

“أعود بالله منك” "I seek refuge with Allah from you." Then he said, "I curse you with the curse of Allah," three times, and extended his hand as if reaching for something. After the prayer, we asked, "O Messenger of Allah! We heard you say something in the prayer that we had never heard before, and we saw you extend your hand." He replied:

"The enemy of Allah, Iblis, came with a flame of fire to place it on my face. I said three times, 'I seek refuge with Allah from you,' then I said three times, 'I curse you with the complete curse of Allah,' but he did not back away. I then tried to seize him, and by Allah, if it were not for our brother Solomon’s prayer (for a kingdom that no one after him would possess), he would have been bound, and the children of Madinah would have played with him." [Sahih Muslim 3/148, Sahih Ibn Hibban 8/446, Sunan An-Nasa’i 4/459]
Imam Bayhaqi also mentioned this narration in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah (8/157).

80. When Do Devils Spread Out, and How Can We Protect Ourselves?​

Answer:Devils spread out at sunset.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“إذا كان جنح الليل أو أمسيتم فكفوا صبيانكم، فإن الشيطان ينتشر حينئذ، فإذا ذهب ساعة من الليل فخلوهم، وأغلقوا الأبواب واوا اسم الله، فإن الشيطان لا يفتح باب مغلقا”

"When night falls or it is evening, keep your children inside, for devils spread out at that time. When an hour of the night has passed, then let them go. Close the doors and mention the name of Allah, for Satan does not open a closed door." [Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 433; Sahih Muslim 2012]

Here are some important actions to take:
➊ Keep children indoors at sunset and close the doors.
➋ Secure containers.
➌ Cover vessels by saying "Bismillah."
➍ Extinguish lamps before sleeping.
➎ Be cautious of mice, as they can harm household members.
 
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