Singing is Unlawful According to the Majority of Scholars

Question :

In the 1403 H Rabi' Ath-Thani edition of the newspaper "Ukkaz," (no. 6101), I read about a Saudi singer who quit his profession upon learning that music is unlawful.

Afterwards, during a journey from Cairo to Paris, he met with a learned religious scholar. They immediately took to one another, and during their conversation, the scholar was able to convince him that singing is permissible. Soon afterwards, the singer returned to his profession. Here are my questions:

Based on authentic proofs from the Qur'an and Sunnah is singing permissible? If so, what about the lewd kinds of songs that are known today and that are accompanied by the use of instruments?

Answer:

Singing is unlawful according to the majority of scholars, and if it is accompanied by the use of musical instruments - the lute, the fiddle, etc., then it is unlawful according to the consensus of Muslims. Allah Almighty says:
"And of mankind is he who purchases (Lahw Al-Hadith) idle talk to mislead from the Path of Allah."

The majority of scholars of Tafsir explain that this refers to singing. Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, swore by Allah Almighty to that and said: "Indeed, singing causes hypocrisy to grow in the heart just as water causes plants to grow."

In an authentic Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"There will be from my Nation a people who will deem fornication, silk (for men), alcohol, and music to be permissi- ble."

Recorded by Al-Bukhari in a disconnected form, in a manner that indicated his certainty of its authenticity, and it was also recorded by others with authentic chains of narration.

Music includes both singing and instruments. Thus we come to know that the scholar referred to in your question, if what was reported of him is true, has spoken about Allah Almighty without knowledge and has given a false ruling, about which he will be asked on the Day of Judgement. And it is Allâh from whom we seek help.

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