Listening to music or songs is impermissible according to Islamic Shariah and is a sin as well. The Hadith have strict warnings and prohibitions about it. Regarding the prohibition of singing songs and playing music, there is a Hadith mentioned in Imam Baihaqi (Shu’ab-ul-Iman Vol No. 4, Pg No: 972):
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jaber bin ‘Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Singing songs and listening to music cultivates hypocrisy in heart as water cultivates greenery.
Devils dance on the shoulders of the person singing songs or listening to music as described in the Hadith in Tafseerate Ahmadiya, Pg No: 400:
Translation: Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said the person who raises his voice for a song, Allah Most High imposes two devils on him, one on his right shoulder and the other on his left. The two constantly dance on his shoulders until the person goes quiet.
Translation: All sorts of things which make a person heedless (of Allah Most High) are unlawful. (Durre Mukhtar’ Vol No. 5 Kitabul Hadhri wal Ibaha’ Pg No: 522)
Therefore it is not at all permissible for any Muslim to sing a song or listen to music irrespective of whether he is in a state of ablution (Wudhu) or not. It is necessary to avoid it all times.
And Allah Most High knows best.
Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri
[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]
