After an Islamic TV programme last Friday, a music video was played. The voice and style of the musician sounded Yínká Ayéfẹ́lẹ́-like. I began to wonder when Ayéfẹ́lẹ́ started mentioning Islamic terms in his songs. It was after seeing the performer that I knew that wasn't Ayéfẹ́lẹ́. This got me wondering where these so called Islamic Musicians got the idea of their trade conforming with Islam.

Of course, music itself is alien to Islam. It's even categorised as vain talk. Poetry not accompanied by musical instruments is said to be allowed as long as the content isn't profane. Our inspiration for what is right or wrong as Muslims is guided by the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

Allah ﷻ says in Suratul-Luqmaan verse 6:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
Interpretation of the meaning:
But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path): for such there will be a Humiliating Penalty.

The scholar of the ummah , Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: this means singing. (Tafseer al-Tabari , 21/40).
Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: this aayah was revealed concerning singing and musical instruments (lit. woodwind instruments). (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/451).
Al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: this includes all manner of haraam speech, all idle talk and falsehood, and all nonsense that encourages kufr and disobedience; the words of those who say things to refute the truth and argue in support of falsehood to defeat the truth; and backbiting, slander, lies, insults and curses; the singing and musical instruments of the Shaytaan; and musical instruments which are of no spiritual or worldly benefit. (Tafseer al-Sa’di , 6/150)

Of course, there are some Ahadith which indicate that it is permissible to beat the daff i.e. the tambourine (which is open on one side and covered on the other). The daff is said to have been used during marriage consummation and eid. Beyond these, we have no other evidence of its use.

No need twisting or tweaking established interpretation of Islamic concepts. That is cheating and deceit. We now have the adh-dhakireen and the adh-dhakirah being interpreted to mean musicians. These concepts are basically for those devoted to the actual remembrance of Allah as He had legislated.

If the aim of such songs is to preach morality, they are better not accompanied by musical instruments. If the aim is to use music to attract people to Islam, remember that we don't use unlawful acts to call towards the lawful. If the purpose is to make money, consider the danger of engraining falsehood and misguidance into the ummah.

Some have even gone to the extreme of institutionalising music in mosques. We don't have any record of Allah's prophet ﷺ having musical bands. But people who claim to follow the deen of Muhammad turn it into a religion of music. They now sing with verses of the Qur'an. They talk of ijóo Muhammad (Muhammad's dance) as if dancing were of the sunnah. They now organise 'Islamic music concerts'. Irọ́ lásán (apologies to Dr Gbádébọ̀). If you seek to make music your trade, kindly distance Islam from it.

Abdussalam Amoo

Please move this thrash to the Islam section.

seguntijan:
They now organise 'Islamic music concerts'. Irọ́ lásán (apologies to Dr Gbádébọ̀). If you seek to make music your trade, kindly distance Islam from it.

Abdussalam Amoo

so what? if he refuses to distance Islam from it what are going to do blow up his studio?