Sharʿī Ruling on Naʿt Recitation and Its Reward in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 01, p. 570
❖ Questions
➊ Those who hold gatherings of naʿt with the intention of earning reward—are they correct in doing so?
➋ What is the ruling on reciting naʿt? Specifically, what about those who recite in melody or with a particular style?
➌ Is reciting naʿt a source of reward? What should a proper naʿt be like?
➍ If someone begins a permissible work but despite effort does not succeed, what should he do to have his difficulty removed?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
① If a naʿt does not contain words of shirk or kufr, does not promote innovative beliefs or concepts, is recited without instruments, and contains nothing contrary to Sharīʿah, then such a naʿt is permissible.
② If a naʿt fulfills the above conditions and is not recited in the style of songs, then it is permissible to recite.
③ If a naʿt conveys only what is in line with Qur’an and Sunnah, while meeting all the conditions mentioned above, then reciting it will earn reward, in shā’ Allāh. However, the reward depends on the state of the reciter—he must not be a mushrik or kāfir, nor engaged in actions that nullify deeds. Instead, he must be adorned with sincerity and piety.
Allāh says:
﴿اِنَّمَا یَتَقَبَّلُ اﷲُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ﴾ [Al-Mā’idah: 27]
“Indeed, Allāh accepts only from the pious.”
④ Such a person should remove his shortcomings and adopt taqwā.
Allāh says:
﴿وَمَنْ یَّتَّقِ اﷲَ یَجْعَلْ لَّہٗ مِنْ اَمْرِہٖ یُسْرًا﴾ [At-Ṭalāq: 4]
“And whoever fears Allāh, He will make his matter easy for him.”
At the same time, he should continue making duʿā to Allāh and reflect whether he may be considering permissible something which in reality is impermissible.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
