Meditation Music: Is It Compatible With Islamic Teachings?

is meditation music haram

There is debate among Muslims as to whether meditation music is haram or halal. Some believe that musical instruments are haram, while others argue that instrumentals without a human voice are permissible. According to one source, the permissibility of meditation music depends on whether it contains music or not. If it does, it is haram; if it doesn't, it is halal. However, another source states that even music without a human voice is haram. Ultimately, the ruling on meditation music is unclear, and it is best to consult a religious scholar for a definitive answer.

Characteristics Values
Music Haram
Musical instruments Haram
Binaural beats Permissible if free of music

shunspirit

Music and singing are haram in Islam

Allah says in Surah Luqman (interpretation of the meaning):

> "And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah..." [Luqman 31:6]

The scholar of the ummah, Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) interprets this as a reference to singing. Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) said it means playing the drum (tabl). Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said this ayah was revealed concerning singing and musical instruments.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

> "Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zina, silk, alcohol and musical instruments..." (Narrated by al-Bukhari)

The four Imams agree that all kinds of musical instruments are haram.

However, there are differing opinions on what exceptions can be made to the prohibition on music. Some Muslims believe musical instruments are haram and only vocals are allowed, but the performer must be of the same gender as the audience. Some believe drums are permissible, but no other instruments.

According to the Deobandi scholar Muhammad ibn Adam Al-Kawthari, an exception can be made for women playing the daf (a type of drum) at celebrations and festivals, according to a minority group of Sunni Islam and a group of Shiites. This is based on a hadith in which the Islamic Prophet Muhammad instructed Abu Bakr to let two young girls continue singing, stating, "Leave them, Abu Bakr, for every nation has an Eid (i.e. festival) and this day is our Eid."

Despite the controversy, music has been popular and flourished at various times and places in the Islamic world, often in palaces and private homes to avoid censorship.

shunspirit

Musical instruments are haram

Music, musical instruments, and singing are haram in Islam. This prohibition is supported by evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah.

Allah says in Surah Luqman (interpretation of the meaning):

> "And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah..." [Luqman 31:6]

The scholar of the ummah, Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) interprets this to mean singing. Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) interprets it to refer to playing the drum (tabl). Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said that this ayah was revealed concerning singing and musical instruments.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

> "Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zina, silk, alcohol, and musical instruments..." (Narrated by al-Bukhari)

This hadith indicates that musical instruments and the enjoyment of listening to music are haram. The Prophet's statement that "they will permit" clearly indicates that musical instruments are haram according to sharia, but those people will permit them anyway.

The four madhhabs agree that all musical instruments are haram.

Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about playing the drum or flute. He said:

> "He should get up if he finds that he enjoys it, unless he is sitting down for need or is unable to get up. If he is on the road, he should either go back or move on."

The only people who do such things, in Malik's view, are fasiqs (rebellious evil-doers).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

> "Playing music (for example, hitting the drum, etc.) makes hypocrisy grow in the heart, just like water makes vegetation grow."

The Holy Prophet of Islam has stated:

> "A person who possesses a ‘sitar’ will be raised on the Day of Judgement with a black face. His hands will be holding a ‘sitar’ of fire. Seventy thousand angels with maces of fire will hit him on the face and the head."

The Holy Prophet also said:

> "Stay away from ghina (singing and music) because it destroys the shame (modesty) and increases the sexual excitement. It kills one’s manliness and verily leads one to alcohol and he will then become drunk. Thus, if you are lead into music, then stay away from women since music and singing will lead a person to commit adultery."

In conclusion, musical instruments are haram in Islam, and their manufacturing, selling, purchasing, and usage are prohibited.

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shunspirit

Music without a human voice is still haram

Music, musical instruments and singing are haram in Islam. This prohibition is supported by evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah. Allah says in Surah Luqman (interpretation of the meaning):

> "And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah... [Luqman 31:6]

The view of the four Imams is that all kinds of musical instruments are haram. This includes the strings and all kinds of flutes, and the lute, drum and rabab (stringed instrument).

The madhhab of Abu Hanifah is the strictest in this regard, and his companions clearly stated that it is haram to listen to all musical instruments. They stated that listening to music is fisq (rebellion, evildoing) and enjoying it is kufr (disbelief).

Imam Malik was asked about playing the drum or flute, and he said that if a person happens to hear the sound and enjoy it whilst walking or sitting, they should get up unless they are sitting down out of necessity or are unable to get up. If they are on the road, they should either go back or move on.

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

> "The madhhab of Abu Hanifah is the strictest in this regard, and his comments are among the harshest. His companions clearly stated that it is haram to listen to all musical instruments such as the flute and the drum, even tapping a stick."

It is not permissible to listen to musical instruments, even without a human voice. When there is a sound of music, it is an obligation to mute it.

The ruling on music without a human voice is the same as the ruling on music because Sharia equates between two similar things and does not differentiate between them.

Some may argue that music is only haram if it brings you into a silly mood that distracts you from your sense of responsibility for this life on earth. However, this is not correct. Music is haram because it is mentioned alongside things that are definitely known to be haram, such as zina and alcohol. If music were not haram, why would it be mentioned alongside these things?

Therefore, music without a human voice is still haram.

shunspirit

Women singing nasheeds is haram

Music, musical instruments, and singing are considered haram in Islam. However, nasheeds, a type of Islamic music that includes recitations of the Quran, prayers, supplications, and other religious verses, are generally considered halal if they do not include musical instruments.

Nasheeds sung by women or girls are considered a major door of fitnah (temptation) and are, therefore, haram for men to listen to. This is because the soft voice of a woman may provoke desire and stir up fitnah. According to Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen, it is haram for women's voices to be heard by men who sit and listen to them and enjoy hearing their voices.

Nasheeds with inappropriate lyrics or content about love and romance, with musical instruments or sung by women, are also considered haram.

shunspirit

Men listening to women's voices is haram

Music is considered haram in Islam, as is singing and dancing. This prohibition is supported by evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah. Allah says in Surah Luqman (interpretation of the meaning):

> "And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah... [Luqman 31:6]

The scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

> "The interpretation of the Sahabah and Tabi'in, that 'idle talk' refers to singing, is sufficient. This was reported with sahih isnad from Ibn 'Abbas and Ibn Mas’ud. Abu’l-Sahba said: I asked Ibn Mas’ud about the ayah (interpretation of the meaning), 'And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks' [Luqman 31:6]. He said: By Allah, besides Whom there is no other god, this means singing – and he repeated it three times."

Additionally, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

> "Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zina, silk, alcohol and musical instruments..." (Narrated by al-Bukhari)

Furthermore, the four madhhabs (schools of Islamic jurisprudence) agree that all musical instruments are haram.

Now, specifically addressing the topic of men listening to women's voices, it is considered haram in Islam. The voice of a woman is considered her 'awrah' (part of her that should not be revealed to men), and men are instructed to avoid listening to the voices of non-mahram (non-related) women as much as possible. Allah says in the Quran:

> "O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner." [Al-Ahzab 32:32]

This verse indicates that men and women should not talk unnecessarily, and when they do so out of necessity, their conversation must be appropriate and free of anything inciting.

The Prophet's cousin, al-Fadl ibn 'Abbaas, reported that the Prophet turned his face away so that he would not look at a young woman, and he said: "I saw a young man and a young woman and I could not be sure that the shaytan would not tempt them." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi)

Ibn al-Jawzi, a prominent Islamic scholar, said:

> "If the owner of a slave woman gathers people to listen to her (singing), then he is a fool whose testimony should be rejected. Then he spoke sternly concerning that and said: It is cuckoldry."

Sharee'ah, the Islamic law, enjoins women to lower their voices in worship. If a man notices something whilst praying, he should alert the imam, but a woman should not speak and should instead clap her hands gently. This rule also applies to reciting the talbiyah (a form of Islamic prayer), responding to the adhaan (call to prayer), and returning greetings.

Imam al-Shaafa'i (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

> "Women are enjoined to conceal themselves, and if no one hears a woman’s voice, that is better for her and more concealing for her, so women should not raise their voices in reciting the Talbiyah; a woman should only be heard by herself."

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) stated his opinion:

> "This is haram, for women's voices to be heard by men who sit and listen to them and enjoy hearing their voices."

In conclusion, men listening to women's voices, especially in a singing or musical context, is considered haram in Islam. The Quran, the Hadith, and the opinions of Islamic scholars all emphasize the prohibition of such actions to avoid fitnah (temptation) and to maintain modesty and purity.

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