The Ruling on Music and Musical Instruments at Weddings

Author: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)

Question:
Is it permissible for Muslims to arrange for music and musical instruments (e.g., bands) during wedding functions? Please provide an answer based on the Quran and Sunnah.

Answer:
Music, singing, and the use of musical instruments are categorically prohibited in Islamic law. Furthermore, adopting music as a profession is also forbidden. The following evidences from the Quran and Hadith emphasize its prohibition and classify it as a satanic act.

Evidence from the Quran​

1. Surah Luqman (31:6):
   
   "وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ"
   (“And among the people is he who buys idle talk to mislead others from the path of Allah without knowledge, and he takes it in ridicule. For such people there will be a humiliating punishment.”)
   According to Abdullah bin Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه), "idle talk" (لهو الحديث) in this verse refers to singing and musical instruments. He further emphasized:
   
   "By the One besides whom there is no deity, it refers to singing and musical instruments."
   [Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith 3595]
   
   
2. Surah An-Najm (53:59-61):
   
   "أَفَمِنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ تَعْجَبُونَ وَتَضْحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبْكُونَ وَأَنْتُمْ سَامِدُونَ"
   (“So do you wonder at this statement (the Quran)? And laugh and do not weep, while you amuse yourselves?”)
   Abdullah bin Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) explained that the word "سامدون" (amusing yourselves) in the dialect of the tribe of Himyar means singing. Similarly, Imam Mujahid (رحمه الله) reported this explanation, stating that "سامدون" refers to singing in certain regional languages.
   [Tafsir Mujahid; Misbah al-Munir, pg. 1335]
3. Surah Al-Isra (17:64):
   
   "وَاسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُمْ بِصَوْتِكَ"
   (“Incite whoever you can among them with your voice.”)
   The phrase "your voice" here is interpreted by scholars to include music, musical instruments, and other forms of satanic sounds.

Rulings Based on These Verses​

The above Quranic verses clarify the following:

1. Music and Musical Instruments are Prohibited: They are tools of misguidance and satanic influence, causing people to stray from Allah's path.
2. Earning from Music is Forbidden: Any income derived from music and related professions is impure and impermissible.
3. Cooperation in Sin: Participating in or arranging such activities at weddings or any other events is impermissible and constitutes cooperation in sin.

Conclusion​

• Organizing music, bands, and similar activities in wedding functions is strictly forbidden in Islam.
• Such practices are a means of spreading satanic actions and misguidance.
• Muslims should completely abstain from incorporating music in their celebrations and instead adhere to permissible and blessed practices.

May Allah guide us to follow His commands and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). (Ameen)