This article is derived from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, which is based on the fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain. The translation has been done by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
"Indeed, some poetry contains wisdom."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5793]
Therefore, if we read poetry and label it as nasheed, it does not change its nature. The concept of "Islamic Nasheeds" was unknown to our righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Saliheen). This is especially true when these nasheeds are accompanied by musical instruments, such as the duff or other forms of music.
For instance, in a Hadith narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
She attended a wedding of the Ansar, and upon returning, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked her:
"Did you sing for them? Because the Ansar like singing."
[Sahih Ibn Hibban, 185/13]
Aisha (رضي الله عنها) replied:
"O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), what should we sing?"
The Prophet (ﷺ) then suggested:
"We have come to you, we have come to you...
Greet us, and we will greet you...
If it were not for the wheat, your young girls would not grow healthy and strong."
[Hasan, Tahrim Aalāt al-Tarab by Al-Albani, p. 133]
Thus, these were simply poems and not religious poetry. Rather, they were permissible words used to bring comfort to the soul.
[Fatwa by Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani (رحمه الله)]
Question:
What is the ruling on nasheeds (religious songs) that include the use of the duff (a type of drum)?Answer:
These nasheeds, which today are commonly referred to as "Islamic Nasheeds", are in reality not found in Islam. Islam recognizes poetry, but not religious nasheeds as a separate category. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:"Indeed, some poetry contains wisdom."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5793]
Therefore, if we read poetry and label it as nasheed, it does not change its nature. The concept of "Islamic Nasheeds" was unknown to our righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Saliheen). This is especially true when these nasheeds are accompanied by musical instruments, such as the duff or other forms of music.
Summary of the Issue:
Islam does not recognize religious nasheeds as a separate category. Instead, there exist poems with refined and meaningful words, which may be recited in certain situations, such as during weddings.For instance, in a Hadith narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
She attended a wedding of the Ansar, and upon returning, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked her:
"Did you sing for them? Because the Ansar like singing."
[Sahih Ibn Hibban, 185/13]
Aisha (رضي الله عنها) replied:
"O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), what should we sing?"
The Prophet (ﷺ) then suggested:
"We have come to you, we have come to you...
Greet us, and we will greet you...
If it were not for the wheat, your young girls would not grow healthy and strong."
[Hasan, Tahrim Aalāt al-Tarab by Al-Albani, p. 133]
Thus, these were simply poems and not religious poetry. Rather, they were permissible words used to bring comfort to the soul.
[Fatwa by Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani (رحمه الله)]