Raashid ul Nabi Khan
As we all know that music is haraam (forbidden) in Islam. On various radio stations there are bunch of RJs which play music to the listeners on regular basis. Sometimes RJs get feedback from listeners on phone while some of the listeners send messages to boys and some listeners to girls. They also crack immoral jokes and laughing is the regular affair on their programmes. It spreads immorality in the society. The RJs should refrain themselves from music as their Aakhirah (hereafter) is at stake.
No doubt they play naats/Islamic Nasheeds during early hours in the morning but that does not serve any purpose as for the rest of the day they play music for the whole day. As music is prohibited in Islam, still it is played on each and every platform in Kashmir, without even giving a thought how bad its repercussions are for the society.
Scientists have proved that music effects brain and also other organs of the body, while ignorant people think music gives them pleasure and time pass, but in actual music leads to fornication, and drugs etc. If we analysis the lyrics of some songs clearly have kufr (forbidden in Islam) in them.
If anyone has music craze, he or she can replace it with Quranic recitation. One can also listen to best Qaris and feel the difference. Ma’aazif is the plural of mi’zafah, and refers to musical instruments (Fath al- Baari, 10/55), instruments which are played (al-Majmoo’, 11/577).
Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from al-Jawhari (may Allah have mercy on him) that ma’aazif means singing. In hisSihaah, it says that it means musical instruments. It was also said that it refers to the sound of the instruments.
In al-Hawaashi by al-Dimyaati (may Allah have mercy on him) it says: ma’aazif means drums and other instruments which are struck or beaten (Fath al-Baari, 10/55). Allah says in Soorat Luqmaan (interpretation of the meaning): “And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (that is music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah…” [Luqmaan 31:6].
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “This means singing. Mujaahid” (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “This means playing the drum (tabla). Al-Hassan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This aayah (verse) was revealed concerning singing and musical instruments.”
Al-Sa’di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This includes all manner of haraam speech, all idle talk and falsehood, and all nonsense that encourages kufr and disobedience; the words of those who say things to refute the truth and argue in support of falsehood to defeat the truth; and backbiting, slander, lies, insults and curses; the singing and musical instruments of the Shaytaan; and musical instruments which are of no spiritual or worldly benefit.”
Narrated Abu Malik Al-Ashari: “The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Some people of my Ummah will drink wine, calling it by other than its real name, merriment will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and the singing of lady singers. Allah will cleave the earth under them and turn others into monkeys and swine.”
Narrated by Abu Amir or Abu Malik Al Ashari heard the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near 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 and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection.”
There are some hadith which indicate that it is permissible to beat the drum. Narrated Urwa on the authority of Aisha on the days of Mina, (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) Abu Bakr came to her while two young girls were beating the tambourine (daff) and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was lying covered with his clothes. Abu Bakr scolded them. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) uncovered his face and said to Abu Bakr, “Leave them, for these days are the days of Eid and days of Mina.”
Narrated Ar Rabi (the daughter of Muawwidh bin Afra): “After the consummation of my marriage, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) came and sat on my bed as far from me as you are sitting now, and our little girls started beating the tambourines (daff) and reciting elegiac verses mourning my father, who had been killed in the battle of Badr. One of them said, among us is a Prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow. On that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, Leave this (saying) and keep on saying the verses which you had been saying before.”
Therefore from the above evidence it is evident that the use of musical instruments in general is forbidden in Islam, with the exception of the “daff”. I wish one day music outlets in Kashmir will change into Islamic Nasheeds centers.
Author can be mailed at raashidulnabikhan@yahoo.in
