Religious and Nationalistic Songs, Songs for Children, and Birthdays

Question :

Last time we asked you whether music was permissible, and you answered that lewd music was unlawful, which leads us to this question: Is listening to religious and nationalistic songs permissible, and what about children's songs or songs for birthdays? Please consider, though, that musical instruments accompany most of these songs.

Answer:

Playing music is absolutely unlawful. Therefore if musical instruments accompany the songs you mentioned religious, nationalistic, children's songs, songs for special occasions then those songs are unlawful. Moreover, celebrat- ing birthdays is an innovation; it is forbidden to attend and participate in birthday celebrations.

One proof that indicates the prohibition of music and singing accompanied by it is this saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
"There will be from my Nation a people who will deem fornication, silk (for men), alcohol, and music to be permissible".

This was recorded by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih and there are other Hadiths that refer to this topic.

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