Divine Decree
✿ Allah, the Exalted, says:"And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead others from the way of Allah without knowledge and takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment."[31-Luqman:6]
In the interpretation of this verse, Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
"By Him besides whom there is no deity, 'amusement of speech' refers to singing."
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 6/309, Hadith 21123, with a sound chain]
Both Imam Hakim and Dhahabi have authenticated this narration.
[Al-Mustadrak: 2/411, Hadith 3546]
Ikrimah (the Tabi'i) says:
"It refers to singing."
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2/310, Hadith 21127, with a sound chain]
Condemnation in the Quran
✿ In the Quran, Allah condemns those who oppose the true religion:"While you are heedless."[53-An-Najm:61]
In the interpretation of this verse, the esteemed interpreter of the Quran, Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
"It means singing in the Himyarite language. 'Ismadi lana' means 'sing for us.'"
[As-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 101/223, with a strong and authentic chain, narrated by Yahya Al-Qattan from Sufyan Ath-Thawri]
Prophetic Sayings
❀ Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"There will be among my followers people who will consider permissible illegal sexual intercourse, wearing silk, drinking alcoholic drinks, and the use of musical instruments. Some people will stay at the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs till the Day of Resurrection."
[Sahih Bukhari: 2/837, Hadith 5590, Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith 6719]
Regarding this Hadith, Sheikh Ibn Salah says:"This Hadith is authentic and well-known, connected according to the conditions of authenticity."
[Introduction to Ibn Salah, p. 90, with the commentary of Iraqi]
The criticism of this Hadith by Hafiz Ibn Hazm and others is rejected. All connected and authentic narrations in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are undoubtedly authentic and definitive.
❀ Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Allah has forbidden for you wine, gambling, and the drum (kubah)... every intoxicant is unlawful."
[Musnad Ahmad 2691, Hadith 350, Hadith 3274, with a sound chain]
One of its narrators, Ali bin Badhimah, says that 'kubah' refers to the drum.
[Abu Dawood: 2/164, Hadith with a sound chain]
❀ Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-'As (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Indeed, Allah has prohibited wine, gambling, the drum, and Ghabeera (a type of intoxicant)... every intoxicant is unlawful."
[Musnad Ahmad: 2/171, Hadith 6591, with a sound chain]
Its narrator, Amr bin Al-Walid bin 'Abadah, is considered reliable and trusted by the majority; hence, his Hadith does not fall below the rank of Hasan.
❀ Mahmood bin Khalid Ad-Dimashqi narrates with a sound chain from Imam Nafi' that Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) once heard the sound of a flute and put his fingers in his ears, saying:
"The Prophet (peace be upon him) did the same."
[Abu Dawood: 2/326, Hadith 4924, with a sound chain; Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir by At-Tabarani: 1/13; Tahreem An-Nard wa Ash-Shatranj wal-Malah by Al-Ajurri, Hadith 65; Musnad Ahmad: 2/38, Hadith 4965; As-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 1/222]
Regarding this Hadith, Allama Ibn Al-Wazir Al-Yamani writes in Tawdheeh Al-Afkar [Vol 1, p. 150]:
"The most correct view is that this Hadith is authentic."
❀ Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Two cursed sounds in this world and the Hereafter: the sound of a flute during a time of bounty and wailing during a time of adversity."
[Kashf Al-Astar: 1/377]
The chain of this Hadith is Hasan.
◈ Hafiz Mundhiri says:
"Its narrators are trustworthy."
◈ Hafiz Haythami says:
"Its narrators are trustworthy."
[Majma' Az-Zawaid: 3/13]
Public Transport and Music
Muslims aware of the prohibition of singing and music strive to avoid this sinful act. If one travels on public transport where drivers persistently play their favorite songs, what should one do? Should they disembark or use force to stop this sinful act? These drivers and their supporters must be made aware not to distress the general Muslim public.❀ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe."
[Sahih Bukhari: 10, Sahih Muslim: 40]
❀ Another narration says:
"He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not safe from his evil."
[Sahih Muslim: 46]
Obscenity and Its Prevention
Due to the conspiracies of disbelievers and hypocrites, immorality and obscenity continue to spread among Muslims. Alongside the curse of filthy songs, TV, VCRs, satellite dishes, cable, internet cafes, devilish mobile tones, and an abundance of naked and obscene pictures are rampant.✿ The Lord of all creation, Allah, says:
"Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows, while you do not know."
[24-An-Nur:19]
This verse is not limited to its specific context of revelation but applies to all forms of spreading immorality. Brothels, cinema halls, filthy films, clubs, dirty hotels, dance venues, obscene stories, and erotic poetry—all fall under the general ruling of this verse. Hence, all these things are forbidden and punishable. If righteous and true Muslims are in power, they must shut down all these centers of immorality with full force. Those involved in such vile acts must be severely punished to deter others from attempting the same.
Statements from the Scholars
◈ The renowned Tabi'i, Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir, says:"It will be said on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where are those who kept themselves and their ears away from frivolity and the devil's flutes? Take them to the fragrant gardens.' Then it will be said to the angels: 'Let them hear My praise and commendation, and tell them that there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.'"
[Kitab Tahreem An-Nard wa Ash-Shatranj wal-Malah by Imam Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Al-Hussain Al-Ajurri: 66, with an authentic chain]
◈ This exact statement is also narrated with a strong chain from the Mufassir of the Quran, Mujahid (the Tabi'i).
[Also: 68, with a strong chain, narrated by Sufyan Ath-Thawri from Mansur]
May Allah guide all Muslims to forsake singing, music, TV, VCRs, and cinema and return to the Quran and Sunnah, striving to promote Tawheed and Sunnah, and to eliminate Shirk, disbelief, and innovations with sincere hearts and true faith so that the blessings of Khilafah may once again be established in this world. Ameen.
May Allah also guide those ignorant people who are on the path of Hadith rejection and are adamant on declaring musical instruments and music as "lawful." May Allah also guide those who cause distress to worshippers through the ringing tones of their mobile phones.
Ameen.
Our duty is only to convey.