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Whether the listening of music is allowable for Muslims or not has been a hotbed of a topic within the Muslim community. Either side has legitimate evidences as to thier position on the issue. On one side it's said that music is Haraam, with evidences from both the Qur'an, and Sunnah (practices and sayings of the Prophet Muhammed) as proof. On the other side there are those that say it's not the music that's haraam, but rather the content of that music. In order to fully understand where Islam stands on music, we have to define what we consider to be music clearly. If we are talking about the popular music we hear on the radio, or produced by today's artists, then it's little wonder why Islam would prohibit music. The use of adult themes, and language are enough to make every parent cringe, and this type of music is targeted for sale amongst our young minds, our children.

This is only one form of music, amd music is closer to Islam than what we give it credit. There's nothing more soothing to a child than the sound of thier mother singing to them. When we hear the Qur'an it's effects on the human heart, and soul is intensified when recited in a melodious tone. In fact the Prophet Muhammed is known to have taught on the benefits of reciting the Qur'an in such a way. Of course Islam is not a religion of extremes, but rather a religion of rights, and limits. Something as natural to human nature as music cannot totally be ruled out as haraam ( forbidden) without clear proof from Qur'an, and Sunnah. Those that say music is haraam say have this proof, for example in a hadith narrated by Sayyidana Abdullah Ibne Mas'ood, where he asked Muhammed (pbuh) about the meaning of Lahwal hadith (meaning vain speech), the Prophet replied; "I swear by Him besides whom there is no other god, that it refers to Ghinna (singing)."

What does all this mean? Is any form of singing forbidden by Muslims? If that is the case, what about the mother singing to soothe her crying child, or the individual reciting Qur'an, which itself was encouraged by the Prophet himself? While it isn't considered 'music' in the sense that it is entertainment. Does music only have the role of entertainment. Or can music have a message? The Qur'an is clear on it's position regarding how a Muslim uses his or her time, how we speak, as well as how a Muslim spends their money. Did it show that the Muslim first acknowledged God in some way? The remembrance of Allah should be uppermost for the Muslim, because there is a benefit that is priceless. A Muslim should speak, and engage everyone as though Allah is with them. When the Prophet spoke of vain speech meaning singing, what form of singing was there during the life of the Prophet? If we examine life in Arabia prior to, and during the life of Prophet Muhammad well see that it was a society of lusts. Prostitution was a social norm, and women were mere objects to be possessed. There was widespread alcoholism. The period is called Jahaliyah, or period of ignorance, it was a life similar to the lifestyle of the Romans, and others that placed the lavish joys of higher living as every person's life goal. Music in such a society is subject to that, and reflects characteristics of that society.

Learn more about this author, Ahmed syeed ali Muhammed.
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