Is Music Haram in Islam? | Dr. Shabir Ally

Dr. Shabir Ally addresses a viewer's concern about the permissibility of music in Islam. The viewer feels distressed by the notion that enjoying music, which helps them vent, might be haram (forbidden). Dr. Shabir begins by explaining that for something to be deemed haram, it must be explicitly prohibited by high authorities, with the highest being God. He discusses how some people interpret Quranic verses, such as those in Surah Luqman, to mean music is prohibited, but clarifies that these verses actually refer to "lahw al-hadith," which is speech or activities of no benefit used to detract from the Quran's message. This context doesn't directly condemn music. Dr. Shabir also mentions that while there are some weak or unclear narrations attributed to the Prophet Muhammad condemning music, these are not found in the most authentic sources. He highlights that the use of drums, for instance, was permissible during certain celebrations, indicating that music isn't inherently prohibited. Dr. Shabir concludes that there is no clear and authentic evidence from either the Quran or Hadith to ban music entirely. Instead, he advises moderation and choosing music that benefits rather than harms, emphasizing that time should also be devoted to the remembrance and worship of God.

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[suhailaretas]

He concludes with what is most important advice, to devote more time to the remembrance and worship of Allah.
جزاك الله خيرا

[MrMbutube]

Dr. Shabir Ally is one of the few people who explain things before giving a conclusion, while the rest always jump to a conclusion and say everything is HARAM!

[saeedm]

The best answer I've ever heard. This Imam is full of love and compassion. I wish I knew him personally. May Allah continues to keep him safe.

[KiliMounjaro]

The most SENSIBLE explanation. Absolutely makes sense.

[fatiubada]

Qur'an has NEVER termed music as haram, some people did. Saying Music is Haram is like saying talking is Haram. There are some speeches that are beneficial to man while others are derogatory and annoying. So also is music, it is our speech in a melodious tone, with sounds.

[abdar-rahman]

*Music is like a kitchen knife* which is used to cut vegetables and fruits, but if someone uses that knife to take the life of a person; that will be misuse of that knife. If Poetry of Music does not violate laws and ethical codes of Quran; then Music with any instrument is Halal, but if poetry violates laws and ethical codes of Quran, such music will be Haram

[teardrop]

Thank you for addressing this topic. I play classical music on the piano, and when I was told that music is haram I was heartbroken. I always stop playing when the Adzan is recited and only return to play the piano after my prayers are conplete. I am glad to hear your opinion. It has really soothed my heart.

[Wisdomseeker]

I agree with dr Shabir. Muslims have a tendency to make things haram when it is not clear cut from koran or authentic sources. I think not all Music is haram. Nashids by Maher zain are not the same as gangsta rap by 50 cent. We should look into the lyrics and how it impacts us.

[jjOnceAgain]

As always, very insightful. This is one of those topics that are so misunderstood and debated over. It's nice to hear what the Quran actually says on the subject

[abidfarooqui]

I had to do quite a bit of research on this very subject and to me it is a huge stretch to say music is haram in Islam. There is simply no clear guidance like this. We are supposed to be careful not to make those things haram that God and Quran has not made haram. There are warnings for people doing exactly this in the Quran. Thanks for the video.

[Amirfami]

A victory over Zionism is a victory for humanity.

[anklebreaka]

Excellent nuanced answer. Very nice to hear a scholar speak clearly on the topic as opposed to regurgitating mainstream opinions

[mahirakalucasahammed]

music is only haram when it leads the believers to drinking alcohol and doing drugs

[Christopher.Harvey]

Thank you so much! So happy that you addressed this question.

[abdullahkiani]

May Allah guide us to the right path and forgive what we have done wrong

[SoufBouchahati]

Music, whether good speech or not, impacted my iman negatively, destroyed for me the pleasure of listening and memorizing the quran and opens the door of different sin easier.
Music is extremely addictive. And I swear, you will never ever taste the sweetness of imaan if your heart is addicted to this garbage. Once you unchain yourself from this music, you will never miss it and even hate is. Most people in the comment section just want to hear what suits their desires, even if it means risking hellfire for it.

[dprintingpracticals]

The more I watch Dr Shabir Ally, the more I like him, he is speaking truth more and more I watch him. He is preferring to trust Allah's word over weak hadith.

[salimalbulushi]

I am grateful for the existence of these two people

[macaron]

Alot of the modern push to ban Music in Islam comes from people who listened to some pop and rap when they were younger, realizing that alot of it trashy and unserious, and deciding that is sucks. This has broadly been my experience with this issue. But alot of music, a majority of it, is clean and not riddled with vice and haram. Pretty much anything outside of the two genres a mentioned, like Jazz, Classical, Metal, and electronic is clean, especially when there aren't lyrics. Taking this into account makes the main hadith on this make more sense. Tying music to or hiding haram inside of it is the real problem. Not music itself.

[sadetinfani]

"From among my followers there will be some people who will consider ... the use of musical instruments [المعازف" (al-ma'azif)], as lawful..." bukhari:5590