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Playing instruments of music is a Greater Sin.
It is Haraam to play instruments like guitar,
piano, tambourine, drums etc. Listening to
music is also a Greater Sin. Music as a Greater
sin is reported by Fazl ibn Shazaan from Imam
Ali ar-Reza (a.s.):
"And to be engrossed in musical instruments is
also a Greater Sin." |
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All the Mujtahids
are unanimous in their opinion that the
manufacture, sale and purchase of musical
instruments is Haraam and the income derived
from musical activity is also Haraam. The
transactions involving these (instruments) are
invalid. It is Haraam even to keep
instruments of music in one's possession. It
is obligatory to destroy them. This is revealed
in a lengthy tradition of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.)
as recorded in the book "Tohafful Uqool".
Similarly, Shaykh Hurr al-Aamili records the
following tradition from Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.):
"The Almighty
Allah has prohibited the manufacture of all such
things that are exclusively used in Haraam ways;
& things that only create evil like pipe, flute,
chess & all types of instruments of gambling,
images, statues.
The manufacture of all such articles is Haraam."
Imam (a.s.)
concluded,
"Then even
learning to sing or play music and teaching it,
to sing and play music,
to be paid for these things or to be in any way
engrossed in these vices is Haraam." |
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Music -
According to the Traditions |
Some more
traditions prohibiting music are given below.
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) reports from the
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that he said: "I
prohibit for you dancing and playing flute,
drums and tabla." (Al Kafi)
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has also said,
"The Almighty Allah has sent me as a mercy to
the worlds, to guide the people. And He ordered
me to eradicate the playing of flute and other
instruments of music, all games of vice, idol
(worship) and all practices of the days of
ignorance." (Mustadrakul Wasael,
Chapter 79)
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says, "A person
who has received blessings from Allah and while
having these blessings, he plays flute. It is as
if he has been thankless of the blessings."
(Wasaelush Shia)
Every moment of
our lives, we are enjoying Allah's unlimited
benevolence. |
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Music
Causes Shamelessness and Hypocrisy |
The Sixth Imam (a.s.)
has also stated, "The playing of violin
promotes the growth of hypocrisy in the heart
like water assists the growth of vegetation
(algae)." (Wasaelush Shia)
Imam (a.s.) also says,
"If
drums and cymbals are played at
one's house for forty days, Allah
will impose a satan by the name of 'faqandir'.
The satans will infiltrate into
every cell of the person's body.
With the spread of this evil, the
person loses all sense of dignity
and self-esteem. He will then not
care as to what he says or what is
said about him. Then, this satan
blows into this person. As a result,
he becomes utterly shameless. So
mush so that he is not concerned or
affected even if his women are
dishonored." (Wasaelush Shia)
It is usually
observed that the people in whose homes music is
played with regularity either using musical
instruments or by radio or cassettes are
absolutely shameless and wanton. |
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Musician
and the Song |
Muadda Ibne Ziyad
says, "I was in the company of Imam Ja'far
as-Sadiq (a.s.) when a person said, "When I go
to the toilet, I can hear the singing girls of
my neighbor. Sometimes, I remain (in toilet)
longer so that I may listen to more of it."
Imam (a.s.) said: "Desist from listening to
music and songs attentively."
Then this man further said, "Master, I do not
go to music gatherings! I only hear the sounds!"
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, "Have you
not read this Quranic verse...
"Surely,
the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of
these shall be questioned about that?"
(Surah
Bani Israel 17:36)
The man
replied, "I was not aware of this Ayat. I
regret my actions. I shall not do so in the
future. I repent for my past sins and I seek
forgiveness from my Lord."
Seeing his condition, Imam (a.s.) said,
"Get up ! Go and perform ghusl
and offer namaz and pray for
forgiveness. You have certainly
been involved in a deadly sin
and a terrible situation. You
have repented for it and I thank
Allah for that; and I seek
forgiveness of Allah for all
those things that He dislikes.
Certainly, Allah only dislikes
the evil things. Leave the evil
things to the evil people
because there are different
people suitable for different
things." (Al Kafi Chapter of
Music)
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Divine
Bounties (Barakat) are Removed |
Amirul Momineen
Ali (a.s.) says,
"Angels do not even enter a house that has
wine, drum, tambourine or a flute. Even the
prayers of the inhabitants of this house are
unacceptable. They are deprived of barakat."
(Wasaelush Shia)
Hazrat Imam Ali ar-Reza (a.s.) has said,
"To listen to a musical instrument is one of
the Greater Sins." (Mustadrakul Wasael) |
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The
Blackened Face of the Musician |
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
has stated,
"A
person who possesses a sitar, on
the day of Qiyamat will be
raised with a black face. His
hands will be holding a sitar of
fire. Seventy thousand angels
with maces of fire will be
hitting him on the face and the
head. The singer will arise from
his grave, blind, deaf and dumb.
The adulterer will be similarly
raised. The player of flute will
also be made to rise in this way
as will be the drum player."
(Mustadrakul Wasael)
It means that
all such people will appear on the field of "Mahshar"
(on the day of reckoning) as blind, deaf and
dumb. |
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A House
Where Music is Played for Forty Days |
Hazrat Imam Ali ar-Reza
(a.s.) remarks,
"A
person invites Divine wrath when
in his house instruments like
flute, drum and chess are played
for forty days. If this man dies
within these forty days, his
death would be of a sinner and a
transgressor. His place shall be
in Hell. And what a dreadful
place it is!" (Mustanad al
Taraqi)
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Music and
the Last Period of Time |
The traditions
concerning the signs of the last stage before
the Zuhoor of our Imam (a.s.) mention music:
"And you shall see that music
will be so prevalent that no one
will dissuade others nor will he
find in himself the need to do
so. And you shall see that music
would be openly played even in
the two sanctuaries (the city of
Makkah and Madinah)." (Mustanade
Naraqi)
This is what we
see in the present age where obscene music is
openly played in the markets, on the streets, in
shops and houses and even cars and no one
bothers to prevent it!
So far we have mentioned the punishment of the
hereafter for the sin of playing or listening to
music. Now, we shall discuss the evils of music
that affect life on earth. These evils too are
numerous. Scholars have compiled complete books
on this subject. For example we have the
following books in Persian, "Munazrah
Doctor-o-Peer", "Balahaee Ijtemai", "Mauseeqi-o-Islam",
etc. |
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Effects of
Music on the Nervous System |
Expert Doctors,
Scientists and biologists have defined two types
of nerves, the principal nerves and the arterial
nerves. The principal nerves stretch from the
neck to all vital organs. The arterial nerves
spread from the main nerves to all parts of the
body. The secondary nerves are connected to
outward parts of the body and convey the
messages to the brain. When the veins enlarge
the blood pressure decreases. Due to the
shriveling of blood vessels, the blood pressure
increases. When the blood pressure varies at
different parts of the body it affects the
health.
When the secondary nerves work they produce heat
whereas the functioning of the central nerves
produces the opposite effect. It is due to these
nerves that feelings of sloth, sleep,
thoughtlessness, forgetfulness, grief, sorrow,
fainting, unconsciousness and even death occur.
Obviously, when music can affect various nerves,
it can give rise to various maladies. Mental
diseases as well as physical ailments can occur.
These mental effects can destroy man's reasoning
capacity. It is for this reason that one who
listens to music is unable to perform work that
can be accomplished by a sane person.
Music creates vibrations in the body and these
are conveyed to all the parts of the body
through the nervous system. As a result of this,
indigestion occurs. Music affects the heart in
such a way that the heartbeats become irregular.
The blood pressure goes awry. All such ailments
make a person permanently ill. Consequently,
even modern medical science, in spite of its
astonishing progress, fails in such a situation.
Sometimes, the music is so intense that the
listeners lose their sanity. They become dumb
and various kinds of mental diseases occur. In
places where music is more prevalent, we find
that there are more neurotic illnesses. It is
for this reason that more mental hospitals are
to be found in Europe and America.
Dr. Adlen writes against music, "Even though it
seems pleasant, the effect of music is profound
upon the nervous system. Especially, when the
temperature is high, the ill effect of music is
more. This is the reason that ill effects of
music are more in the hot areas of Iran and
Saudi Arabia. The American people are so
disgusted with the bane of music that they have
united to demand from the senate a permanent ban
on music. It is a pity that the whole world
clearly perceives the evils of music and yet
adopts music as entertainment."
(Refer to the booklet; "Tasir Mausiqi bar
Asaab" Pg.3, 6,1 |
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Sixteenth Greater Sin
- SINGING |
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The sixteenth
Greater sin is singing songs. Traditions have
graded it amongst the mortal sins. This fact is
clear from the narration of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq
(a.s.) as quoted by Amash. Muhammad Ibn Muslim
relates that Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said,
"Singing
is that sin which has been promised a penalty of
fire (Hell) by Allah.”
It is evident
from numerous reports, that whichever sin incurs
Hell as its punishment, is a Greater Sin.
Singing too falls in that category. |
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What is
Singing? |
Sayyid
Murtadha, in his book, Wasīla writes,
“Singing is Harām. It is also Harām to
listen to a song or to sing for money.
However every melodious sound is not a
‘song’. Singing denotes a special way of
prolonging the voice and rotating it in
the throat. These features are common in
sensuous parties. Such type of singing
is usually accompanied by music.”
Most of the
Shia Mujtahids and the experts of Arabic
language opine that ‘singing’ means the turning
and rotating of one’s voice in the throat. These
types of strains are invariably found in
classical music and Qawwalis. A prolonged tune
of a-a-a is produced. In the dictionary, ‘Sihah’
it is mentioned that singing is a sound which
produces a strange type of sorrow or pleasure in
the listener. The other dictionaries almost
agree to this definition. In brief, singing or
song is a sound that makes a man unusually sad
or joyful.
The book Zakhīratul Ebad says: “Every
sound that is produced for entertainment and is
capable of exciting passion is known as
‘singing.’ It could be produced by making it
emanate from the throat like in classical music
or by any other means. In brief whatever is
understood by common sense as a song is Harām.
Consequently it is sinful even to recite the
Holy Qur’an, Nauha or Marsiya in the tune of
songs. In fact this is more sinful than singing
songs for it tantamount to insulting and
degrading the Qur’an and Nauha or Marsiya. It is
for this reason that this type of sin deserves
double the punishment. |
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About Singing |
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1.
Singing is a Greater Sin |
When Imam Muhammad
al-Baqir (a.s.) said,
“Singing is that Sin which has been
promised the penalty of fire (Hell) by
Allah”
he (a.s.)
had also recited the following verse of the Holy
Qur’an:
“And
of men is he who takes instead frivolous
discourse to lead astray from Allah’s
path without knowledge and to take it
for a mockery; these shall have an
abasing chastisement.” (Surah Luqmān
31:6)
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2. “Frivolous discourse” implies Singing |
Bringing together
the above verse and the tradition of Imam Baqir
(a.s.), singing is understood to be one of the
‘frivolous’and ‘evil’ acts. Other worthless acts
are aimless talk or action, or poetry which is
of no good to the people; all these deprive man
of benefit.
In other words, anything that restrains one from
following the truth and the Holy Qur’an is a
‘frivolous discourse.’ Anything that leads one
astray is ‘frivolous discourse.’ All those
things that create passion and sensuality, sin
and transgression are ‘frivolous discourse.’ It
is a sin whether one sings or listens to a song.
The Qur’anic verse quoted above is followed by:
“And
when our communications are recited to
him, he turns back proudly, as if he had
not heard them, as though in his ears
were a heaviness, therefore announce to
him a painful chastisement.” Surah
Luqmān 31:7)
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3.
The exegesis (Tafsīr) of the term “False Words” |
In addition to the
phrase ‘frivolous discourse,’ the Holy
Qur’an also refers to singing by the term,
‘False words.’ Abu Basir inquired from Imam
Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), the exegesis of the
following ayat: “... and avoid false words.”
(Surah Hajj 22:30)
The Imam (a.s.) replied,
“(It
means) singing.” In explanation to the
ayat, “And they who do not bear witness
to what is false, and when they pass by
what is vain, they pass by nobly.” (Surah
al-Furqān 25:72)
Imam Muhammad
at-Taqi (a.s.) remarked, “ (Vain means)
singing.” (Refer Amali of Shaykh Tusi
and also the book al-Kāfi.)
In yet another tradition, when Muhammad Ibn
Uthman inquired about the meaning of this ayat,
Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.) answered,
“It includes the evil words of one who is
singing.” |
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4. “False words” denote singing |
The later portion
of the same verse says, “... and when they
pass by what is vain, they pass by nobly.” (Surah
al-Furqān 25:72)
Thus, according to the holy Qur’an when the
righteous people pass by, where songs are being
played, they pass in a dignified manner,
uninfluenced and unimpressed by them.A similar
kind of verse appears in Surah Al-Mum’inūn, as
well:
“And who
keep aloof from what is vain.” (Surah Al-Mum’inūn
23:3)
Both the above
verses describe the qualities of a believer.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and later Imam Riďa
(a.s.), have both explained the term “vain
words” as follows: “Vain words imply music and
singing and the true worshipers of Allah refrain
from these.” (al-Kāfi) |
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5. Singing and hypocrisy |
The sixth Holy
Imam, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,
“Listening to music, songs and useless words
cultivate hypocrisy in the heart, in the
same way as algae grows in water.” (al-Kāfi)
The same book,
al-Kāfi mentions a tradition of Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.)
that, “Singing and music is a nest for the
bird called hypocrisy.” |
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6. Singing
Programme |
The venue of a
singing programme is a place where descends
divine retribution. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.)
says:
“Do not
even enter houses, the inhabitants of which
are deprived of divine mercy.” He (a.s.)
is reported to have also said, “The house
where music is played is not safe from
sudden disasters. Supplications at such a
place are not answered. Angels do not enter
this place.” (al-Kāfi and Mustadrak
ul-Wasa’il)
It has been
established in the preceding chapter that when
the divine punishment descends, it does not
discriminate. The excuse, “Though we go to
places where there is music and song, but we
dislike it in our hearts”, seems unlikely to be
acceptable. Dislike needs to be expressed by
ones action, also. Songs and music should be
discouraged. |
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7. Singing causes poverty |
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Amir ul-Mu’minīn
‘Ali (a.s.) says, “Singing creates hypocrisy and
causes poverty.” (Mustadrak ul-Wasa’il, chapter
78) |
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8. Punishment for Singing |
The Holy Prophet
(S) has explicitly stated,
“When
the singer shall rise from his grave on the
Day of Judgment, he will be blind, deaf and
dumb.” (Jameal-Akhbār)
The traditions
also state that the singer will be recognized
by these very signs, i.e., blindness,
deafness etc.
In another tradition Holy Prophet (S) is quoted
to have said: “Molten lead shall be poured
into the ears of one who listens to songs,
intently.” (Mustadrak ul-Wasa’il) |
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Deprived of Divine Mercy |
Qutub al-Rawandi
has recorded from the Holy Prophet (S),
“The
singer is from that group of people, who
would not be looked upon with mercy by Allah
on the Day of judgment.”
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A
Fan of a Singer |
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq
(a.s.) says:
“One who
respects a speaker, becomes his slave. If
the speaker calls towards Allah the listener
worships Allah, but if he calls towards
shaitan, the listener has worshipped shaitan.”
(Furu al-Kāfi)
It is also
narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that
he said,
“Whenever a person begins singing, two
satans mount on his shoulders and continue
to hit their heels upon his chest, till the
time he sings the song.”
Is the one
kicked by the satans to be loved and admired?
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Melodious sounds of Paradise |
Hazrat Imam ‘Ali
Ibn Musa ar-Riďa (a.s.) said,
“One
who avoids songs shall be provided by Allah,
a tree, which will produce such
a melodious sound as has never been
heard by anyone. But the one who
has not kept himself aloof from songs
will not be able to hear this
sound.” (al-Kāfi)
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Beautiful songs in Heaven |
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The following tradition of Allah’s Messenger (S)
is recorded in the book Tafsīr Majmaul Bayan,
“One who has listened to too many songs will
not be able to hear the Ruhānis on the Day of
Qiyāma.”
“Who are the Ruhānis, O Prophet of Allah (S)?”
someone asked.
The Prophet (S) replied, “They are the
melodious singers of Heaven.”
A similar tradition from Hazrat ‘Ali (a.s.) is
found in Nahjul Balagha,
“Hazrat Dawūd (a.s.) will be the chief of the
singers of Paradise.” (Nahjul Balagha)
The people will listen to such melodious songs
from Hazrat Dawūd (a.s.) in Heaven, the like of
which have never been heard by anyone. However
only those who have refrained from listening to
songs in this world would be able to hear them. |
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Strict prohibition |
The Holy Prophet
(S) says:
“Calamities will befall my Umma as sinking of
the earth and rain of stones.”
The people asked,
“When would it happen?”
“When the instruments of music become common,
singing girls are in great number and the use of
intoxicants is widespread. By Allah, many people
of my Umma will be such that they shall spend
the night in merry-making and sensuality and in
the daytime become like monkeys and pigs. It
will be the consequence of considering the
prohibited things permissible, they will be
occupied with singing girls, frequently take
intoxicants, devour interest and shall dress in
clothes made of silk.” |
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Singing and fornication |
Singing instigates
one to commit fornication. The Holy Prophet (S)
said:
“Singing
is the stepping stone to fornication.” (Mustadrak
ul-Wasa’il)
Songs are
responsible for awakening the latent sensual
desires of man, which are soon manifested. It is
the same whether one sings a song or merely
listens to it. He forgets Allah (S.w.T.) and is
prepared to commit any kind of indecency.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says,
“And all
those wasteful pastimes are Harām which make
one forgetful of Allah; like songs and
playing musical instruments.”
Yes! Music
makes one shameless and lacking in self-respect.
It also destroys the feeling of love, compassion
and mercy, reducing society to a nightmare. |
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Prohibition regarding songs and singing |
There is no
difference of opinion among the Shia jurists
about the illegality of singing. It can be said
that there is ‘ijma’ (unanimity) upon this
point. The writer of the book, titled Mustanad
says, “To consider singing and music ‘Harām’
is one of the necessities of faith. That is, if
a Muslim says that singing is not Harām then he
becomes a kafir.” According to the author of
Izah, “the traditions that state that music
and singing is Harām, are mutawatir (very
numerous).”
However a slight difference of opinion exists,
as to the meaning and connotation of the word
‘song’. The majority of the Mujtahids believe
that any kind of sound, capable of creating a
desire for joyful mirth and sensual feelings is
a song; and it is Harām. |
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Reciting Qur’an in tune of songs |
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As we have stated
earlier, it is Harām to recite Qur’an in the
characteristics of songs. Similarly it is also
Harām to recite Nauhas, Marsiya or Azān in this
way; it is immaterial whether it is poetry or
prose that is being recited. Rather, rendering
of the sacred compositions into songs carries
double punishments. One for the sin of singing
songs and the other for causing disrespect to a
sacred text. |
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Reciting Qur’an in a melodious voice |
Every melodious
sound is not a song. If Qur’an or Nauha is
recited in a pleasant voice without unduly
turning it in the throat, it is not Harām,
rather it is desirable to do so. The Messenger
of Allah (S) is reported to have said,
“Recite
the Qur’an in a pleasant voice, in the style
of Arabs. You are ordered to avoid the
transgressors and doers of greater sins.
Certainly, such people will appear in the
world who will recite the Qur’an in a
singing manner to make the listeners
emotional. It is not allowed to go near
these people or to call them near you. The
hearts of these people have deviated and
those who are influenced by them shall also
have their hearts deviated.” (Wasa’il
ul-Shia)
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Pleasant
voice and singing |
While describing
the signs of the arrival of the Day of Judgment,
the Prophet of Allah (S) said:
“Such
kind of people will appear in the world that
they would learn the Qur’an for worldly
benefits and will recite it in a singing
tune.”
However there
are many traditions to the effect that reciting
the Qur’an in a pleasant voice is Mustahab
(recommended). However we must ensure that its
tone is not that of singing. |
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Singing and music during weddings |
Subject to the
following Three conditions some of the Mujtahids
have allowed women to sing on the occasion of
marriages.
1.
The first condition is that no grown-up men
should be able to hear the singing. Not even
those who are mahram (under the prohibited
degree).
2. Secondly, the songs must not be
loud and also must not be based on false
statements.
3. And lastly, the singing must not
be accompanied with any kind of music.
A few scholars
have permitted playing of the small tambourine
(tambourine is a drum with skin on only one of
its sides). Shahīd al-Thani and Muhaqqiq al-Thani
say that tambourine could be played in a wedding
if it does not have tinkles around it.
However, precaution is desirable and hence on
the occasion of weddings also women should avoid
singing; the playing of tambourine should also
be avoided. Shaykh Ansari (r.a.) quotes Shahīd
al-Thani in the book, Makasib and Sayyid
Murtadha says in his book Wasīla that,
“Precaution is the way to salvation.” |
