(Excerpt from the book: “500 Questions & Answers for Women” based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Two Holy Mosques, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem)
What is the ruling on listening to music?
Listening to such music that evokes a state of emotional ecstasy and spiritual agitation is ḥarām (forbidden) upon every listener—whether male or female, whether they listen inside the home or outside (such as in vehicles or public and private gatherings). This is because such music leads the listener toward something that the Islamic Sharī‘ah has declared unlawful.
Allāh ﷻ says:
﴿وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ﴾ [لقمان: 6]
“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk to mislead from the path of Allāh without knowledge and takes it (the path of Allāh) in ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment.”
The music mentioned by the questioner falls under the category of "Lahw al-Ḥadīth" (Idle Talk). Undoubtedly, it is a trial for the heart, diverting it from goodness and inclining it toward evil, while also wasting valuable time. For this reason, it is considered to be within the ruling of "Lahw al-Ḥadīth", and all who listen to or perform music fall under the general scope of this verse, which threatens punishment for those who engage in such distractions that divert themselves and others from the path of Allāh.
Indeed, Allāh ﷻ has condemned those who engage in such acts and has warned them of a humiliating punishment.
Just as the mentioned verse of the Qur’an, in its general sense, indicates the prohibition of music and listening to it, similarly, the Sunnah and Ḥadīth also confirm this prohibition, as in the statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازف...
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth No. 5268]
“There will be people from my Ummah who will deem as lawful: fornication, silk (for men), alcohol, and musical instruments. Some people will descend near a mountain, and a shepherd will come to them with their animals. When a poor person comes to ask them (for help), they will say: ‘Come back tomorrow.’ So Allāh will cause the mountain to fall upon them by night and transform others among them into apes and swine until the Day of Resurrection.”
In this ḥadīth, “Ma‘āzif” refers to musical instruments and entertainment, which includes both singing and listening to songs. The Prophet ﷺ condemned those who will consider such acts as permissible, equating them with other major sins such as fornication, wearing silk (for men), and drinking alcohol. Furthermore, he warned of divine punishment for the perpetrators of these acts. By mentioning music alongside major sins and warning of punishment, this ḥadīth clearly indicates the prohibition of singing, musical instruments, and listening to songs.
As for someone who hears music unintentionally and without actively listening, such as a passerby who hears songs from stores or vehicles, or one who hears it from neighboring houses without paying attention, then such a person is compelled and is not sinful. However, it is obligatory upon such a person to offer advice and forbid the evil with wisdom and good admonition.
One should also strive to avoid whatever is within their capacity, as Allāh does not burden a soul beyond its ability.
— (Saudi Fatwa Committee)
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on listening to music?
❖ Answer:
Listening to such music that evokes a state of emotional ecstasy and spiritual agitation is ḥarām (forbidden) upon every listener—whether male or female, whether they listen inside the home or outside (such as in vehicles or public and private gatherings). This is because such music leads the listener toward something that the Islamic Sharī‘ah has declared unlawful.
Allāh ﷻ says:
﴿وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ﴾ [لقمان: 6]
“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk to mislead from the path of Allāh without knowledge and takes it (the path of Allāh) in ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment.”
The music mentioned by the questioner falls under the category of "Lahw al-Ḥadīth" (Idle Talk). Undoubtedly, it is a trial for the heart, diverting it from goodness and inclining it toward evil, while also wasting valuable time. For this reason, it is considered to be within the ruling of "Lahw al-Ḥadīth", and all who listen to or perform music fall under the general scope of this verse, which threatens punishment for those who engage in such distractions that divert themselves and others from the path of Allāh.
Indeed, Allāh ﷻ has condemned those who engage in such acts and has warned them of a humiliating punishment.
Just as the mentioned verse of the Qur’an, in its general sense, indicates the prohibition of music and listening to it, similarly, the Sunnah and Ḥadīth also confirm this prohibition, as in the statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازف...
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth No. 5268]
“There will be people from my Ummah who will deem as lawful: fornication, silk (for men), alcohol, and musical instruments. Some people will descend near a mountain, and a shepherd will come to them with their animals. When a poor person comes to ask them (for help), they will say: ‘Come back tomorrow.’ So Allāh will cause the mountain to fall upon them by night and transform others among them into apes and swine until the Day of Resurrection.”
In this ḥadīth, “Ma‘āzif” refers to musical instruments and entertainment, which includes both singing and listening to songs. The Prophet ﷺ condemned those who will consider such acts as permissible, equating them with other major sins such as fornication, wearing silk (for men), and drinking alcohol. Furthermore, he warned of divine punishment for the perpetrators of these acts. By mentioning music alongside major sins and warning of punishment, this ḥadīth clearly indicates the prohibition of singing, musical instruments, and listening to songs.
As for someone who hears music unintentionally and without actively listening, such as a passerby who hears songs from stores or vehicles, or one who hears it from neighboring houses without paying attention, then such a person is compelled and is not sinful. However, it is obligatory upon such a person to offer advice and forbid the evil with wisdom and good admonition.
One should also strive to avoid whatever is within their capacity, as Allāh does not burden a soul beyond its ability.
— (Saudi Fatwa Committee)
