A sincere advice to those who allow music and its instruments -in the name of Islaam.
Before we bring the proof, I (Shaykh Al-Albani) would like to advise and remind the reader of a great sin which many people fall into, and that is the sin of interpreting the Book of Allaah whilst they are not qualified to do so. Look at this statement of our beloved one (Șallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam):
“The one who speaks about the Qur’ân without any knowledge; then let him take his place in the Fire.”
[ Sunan at-Tirmidhee, and he [Imaam at-Tirmidhee] said : Hasan Saheeh.]
That is how great of a sin it is!
Therefore we should leave this noble science to its scholars (while making an effort and studying to be amongst them), and not indulging and applying – rather relying on our desires to twist the meanings to be that which we want.
After that reminder; now we go to the main proof from the Qur’ân, and it is the
statement of Allaah :
Alif Lâm Mîm [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] These are Verses of the Wise Book (the Qur’ân). A guide and a mercy for the Muhsinûn (good doers).Those who establish the prayer and give Zakât and they have faith in the Hereafter with certainty. Such are on guidance from their Lord, and such are the successful.
And of mankind is he who purchases lahhwal-hadeeth [idle talks] to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allâh, the Verses of the Qur’ân) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire).”
[ Sooratu-Luqmaan : 1-6]
The scholars of the Tafseer have defined lahhwal-hadeeth to mean music and its instruments.
And from them are [we will mention the noble ones of whom their statements have weight upon the Ahlus-Sunnah]:
1. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas (radhiyallaahu ‘anhumaa), he said:
‘It (the verse) was revealed regarding music and its likes.’
[Imaam al-Bukhaaree in Aadaabul Mufrad: 1265, Ibn Abee Shaybah: 6/310, At-Tabari: 21/40]
2. ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu) , he was asked about it and he said :
‘By the One whom there is no Lord other than Him ; indeed It is music.’ And he repeated this three times.
[Ibn Abee Shaybah, At-Tabari, Ibnul Jawzee in Talbees Iblees: pg.246, al-Haakim: 2/411 and he said: ‘its chain is authentic.’ And Imaam adh-Dhahabee agreed with him, and it is as they say.]
3. Ikrimah (rahimahullaah) : Shua’yb ibn Yasaar said :
‘I asked Ikrimah on lahhwal-hadeeth?’ And he said : ‘It is music.’
[Imaam al-Bukhaaree in Taareekh : 2/217, Ibn Abee Shaybah, Ibn Jareer At-Tabari , and al-Bayhaqee : and it is a hasan (good narration)]
4. Mujaahid (rahimahullaah):
He said the same.
[Ibn Abee Shayba : 1167,1179, Ibn Jareer, Ibn Abee Dunya from different routes of narration, some of which are authentic, and Abu Nu’aym in al-Hilyah : 3/286.]
5. And Likewise,
Jaabir and Sa’eed ibn Jubayr, and Mak-hool (rahimahumullaah) said the same
[Tafseer ibn Katheer.]
6. Al-Hasan al-Basree said :
‘This was revealed concerning music and instruments.’
[Ibid]
This I think, alhamdulillaah, is sufficient proof for us.
But the best of all these scholars of tafseer is yet to come.
To fully comprehend the context of the verse [and this is why we wrote the whole 6 verses and not just the main proof] – we shall refer to the tafseer of al-Imaam Ibn Katheer, where he says [on the tafseer of these verses] :
‘After Allaah has mentioned the state of the people of success – and they are the ones who benefit by the Book of Allaah, and gain from listening [studying] to it- as Allaah has said :
“Allâh has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Qur’ân), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allâh. That is the guidance of Allâh. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allâh sends
astray, for him there is no guide.” [Soorat-uz-Zumar : 23]
He connected that by mentioning the state of the wretched ones – those who turn away from benefiting by listening [and studying] it – and they directed themselves to listening to flutes, and music by melodious voices, and musical instruments…’
Book: ‘Tahreem Aalaatu-t-tarab’ by Shaykh Nasiruddin al-Albanee (rahimahullah)
Translated and prepared by: Aboo Waheeda As-Salafee
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Related links:
• Ijmaa and the 4 Madhaahib on the Tahreem (prohibition) of Musical Instrument
• A Practically Dead Sunnah- When You Hear Music…
Shariah Web :: Knowledge Mandates Action 