What is the Islamic view on music?
The classical scholars in this library forbid musical instruments; the only question they weigh is the bare human voice. Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Ghazali and al-Jilani in their own words.
10 passages from 4 books in the library
The classical scholars in this library agree that instrumental music is forbidden; what they discuss is only the bare human voice. Ibn al-Qayyim, in Madārij al-Sālikīn, writes that "listening to musical instruments and entertainment devices, like the lute and flute, is forbidden," and that "the temptation of listening to singing and musical instruments is far greater than the temptation of wailing." Al-Ghazālī, in the Book of Listening and Ecstasy, bans the flute, lute and zither as the instruments of wine gatherings, and rules that even a gathering that mimics a drinking session with lawful drinks is prohibited; the Book of the Prophetic Character forbids "musical instruments of all kinds, all stringed instruments." Al-Jīlānī, in al-Ghunya, holds that gatherings of singing and dancing may not be attended, that reed music is disliked, and that only the tambourine at weddings is allowed. Where al-Ghazālī permits anything, it is the voice alone, as with the two girls singing on Eid in the Prophet's ﷺ house. These are the positions of the scholars in this library, reported from their own books — not a fatwā. For your own case, ask a qualified scholar.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 4 books by Imam al-Ghazali and Ibn al-Qayyim — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
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"involving singing and dancing, it is not permissible to attend, as these are considered prohibited. The use of the tambourine is allowed during weddings. Listening to music played with reeds and dancing is disliked. Some interpreters have explained the verse of Allah and of mankind is he who purchases idle talk from Surah Luqman to mean singing and poetry."
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"Some interpreters have explained the verse of Allah and of mankind is he who purchases idle talk from Surah Luqman to mean singing and poetry. There is a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, which states, singing cultivates hypocrisy in the heart just as water cultivates plants. Shibli, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about singing and said, Is it the truth?"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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""Allah has prohibited the singing slave girl, her sale, her earnings, and her teaching." We respond: By "singing slave girl," it refers to one who sings for men at drinking gatherings. Singing by a non-relative woman to libertines or those at risk of temptation is forbidden, as they aim at what is prohibited. However, a slave girl's singing to her owner does not imply prohibition, nor is it forbidden for someone other than her owner to hear her, considering no risk of temptation."
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"If people gather and mimic drinking sessions with permissible drinks, it is prohibited because it resembles sinful behavior. Based on these principles, instruments like the Iraqi flute and string instruments such as the lute and zither are banned. However, instruments like the shepherd's staff, the pilgrim's staff, and certain drums, which produce pleasant sounds unrelated to wine or drinking gatherings, are permissible."
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"Al-Fudail's statement about singing being an incantation for adultery pertains to the listening of the wicked and lustful youth. If it were universal, the two singing girls would not have sung in the house of the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him. The comparison based on analogy refers to musical instruments and has been addressed, or it could be seen as frivolity and playfulness."
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"a good appearance with integrity, eloquence with piety, and good brotherhood with loyalty." I found in some books an account that indicates al-Harith al-Muhasibi permitted listening to music despite his asceticism, caution, and diligence in religion and discipline. Ibn Mujahid was known for his fondness for music, to the extent that he would not accept an invitation unless it involved music."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"Avoid what Islam has prohibited from amusement, falsehood, wrongful singing, musical instruments of all kinds, all stringed instruments, cunning, deceit, gossip, rancor, severing ties of kinship, bad character, arrogance, vanity, pride, boasting, obscenity, vulgarity, malice, envy, omens, injustice, aggression, and oppression.""
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
More on Ibn al-Qayyim →
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"عُمَر بْن الخَطَّاب, may اللّٰه be pleased with him, once addressed a wailing woman, saying: "She has no sanctity; she commands grief, which اللّٰه has forbidden, and forbids patience, which اللّٰه has commanded." It is widely known that the temptation of listening to singing and musical instruments is far greater than the temptation of wailing. Experience shows that whenever musical instruments and amusements become widespread among a people, اللّٰه afflicts them with adversities such as enemies, drought, and evil rulers."
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"As He says: "And when they hear idle talk, they turn away from it" from سُورَة القَصَص, and "And when they pass by idle talk, they pass by with dignity" from سُورَة الفُرْقَان. مُحَمَّد بْن الحَنَفِيَّة said this refers to singing, and حَسَن or someone else said they honored themselves by not listening to it. اِبْن مَسْعُود said: "Singing plants hypocrisy in the heart just as water makes plants grow." This statement reflects an understanding of the effect and outcome of singing."
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"These sounds belong to Satan, not to the Merciful: the sound of lamentation and wailing during times of sorrow and loss, and the sound of amusement, musical instruments, and singing during times of joy and attainment. The Prophet مُحَمَّد, peace be upon him, highlighted this in a حَدِيث narrated by أَنَس, may اللّٰه be pleased with him: "I have forbidden two foolish and sinful sounds: the sound of wailing at a calamity and the sound of musical instruments at a blessing.""
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