Discover the unique viewpoint of Habib Ali Al-Jufri on the legality of playing and listening to music in Islam. Is music truly considered haram? Continue reading to delve into this intriguing discussion.
Debate and Islamic Perspectives on Music
The lengthy debate regarding the permissibility of playing and listening to music in Islam has always captivated the attention of Muslim communities. In a scholarly seminar held at Delta University for Science and Technology in Talkha, Egypt, led by Habib Ali al-Jufri, this controversial topic was thoroughly examined.
Diverging Opinions Among Scholars
Habib Ali al-Jufri highlights the fact that among the four major schools of thought in Islam, there is no unanimous consensus on the legality of music. Even within a single school, there is no unequivocal agreement on the prohibition of music. Differences of opinion regarding music among Islamic scholars date back to the early days of Islam, and even among the Prophet's companions.
Music and Islam - A Historical Perspective
Interestingly, history reveals that during the time of Prophet Muhammad, music was not categorically prohibited. In fact, music was allowed during celebrations such as festivals and weddings, as well as in the daily lives of Muslims.
Enlightening Narratives
Habib Ali al-Jufri provides intriguing narratives about Prophet Muhammad's understanding of music. One of these anecdotes involves Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Thalib, the husband of Sayyidah Zainab Ra, who organized a musical performance in front of the Prophet. This story is well-known in the Hijaz region. It is said that he arranged his gathering near his female servants who sang for him with musical instruments.
In another account, Prophet Muhammad is depicted listening to the tambourine played by girls who were singing with Aisha in his home during a festival. They sang while playing the tambourine, and Abu Bakar entered, questioning, "Is it fitting for the devil's voice to be inside the Prophet's house?"
Abu Bakar intended to stop them, but upon hearing this, Prophet Muhammad, who was resting at the time, woke up, uncovered himself, and said, "Let them be, O Abu Bakar, for this is a day of celebration."
Prophet Muhammad also displayed wisdom in respecting the culture and traditions of others. On another occasion, Umar bin Khattab observed African people dancing and performing with their weapons in his mosque during a festival. They danced the zafin, as mentioned in the hadith of Imam Bukhari Muslim. In Imam Nawawi's account, they were described as dancing while playing with bows and arrows in the mosque. Dancing with weapons was a part of African culture.
However, Prophet Muhammad witnessed their dance. During this performance, they sang praises for the Prophet in their African language, which meant, "Muhammad is a good person."
Upon seeing this, Umar picked up a pebble and asked, "What are you doing in the mosque?" Prophet Muhammad replied, "O Umar, this is a day of celebration." In another narration, Prophet Muhammad said, "O Umar, they are the Anjasyah tribe," signifying that it was their culture.
The people of Mecca did not practice dancing in sacred places like the Africans, who honored their own traditions. This incident conveys a message from Prophet Muhammad to Umar to respect the customs of others. Respecting 'urf (tradition) is part of Islamic teachings.
In another narration, Prophet Muhammad turned to Aisha, who was in her room, and asked, "Aisha, do you want to watch their performance?" Aisha replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah, I would like to watch them." Prophet Muhammad stood at the door, and Aisha stood behind him, watching. After a while, Prophet Muhammad turned and asked, "Is that enough, Aisha?" Aisha shook her head and said, "Not yet, Messenger of Allah, I still want to watch." Aisha mentioned in this narration, "until I got bored." While Prophet Muhammad continued to stand, she rested her cheek on his shoulder, and he led her into his room.
Perspective of Prominent Scholars
Habib Ali al-Jufri explains that more than 30 prominent scholars from the four major schools of Ahli Sunnah wal Jamaah have stated that the permissibility of listening to musical instruments depends not just on the instruments themselves but on their impact on the listener.
"If listening to musical instruments has a positive impact on the individual, then it is considered positive," he explains.
One of the scholars who held this view was Imam Ghazali, one of the greatest scholars and a jurisprudential expert in the Shafi'i school. He authored numerous works, including the books al-Basith, al-Wasith, and al-Wajiz, as well as al-Mustasyfa in the field of usul al-fiqh, considered one of the strongest usul books in the Shafi'i school.
Several other prominent scholars shared this perspective, leading to the conclusion that this is not an open invitation for millennials to indulge in listening to music but rather a call to broaden one's understanding of a complex issue.
Classifying Music Listeners
Habib Ali Al-Jufri classifies music listeners into three types. First, the composers who focus on musical notation, such as notes, chords, and harmonies.
Second, those who derive meaning from music and connect it to their love for Allah. They are moved by the beauty that arises from the combination of musical instruments and human voices. Habib Ali emphasizes that even listening to songs is not forbidden if it serves as a means to reconcile with someone on the verge of breaking an engagement.
Third, there are listeners who are negatively influenced by music, leading them to engage in sinful acts such as adultery and drunkenness. This association between music and sinful behavior in the past is one of the reasons why some scholars prohibited music. If the sound, melody, or vibrations of the music have a negative impact on the listener, then listening to music is considered haram in that context.
Conclusion and Important Message
In conclusion, Habib Ali Al-Jufri reminds us that the law regarding music is not straightforward and rigid. Instead, it depends on the individual's response and its potential impact. Some scholars prohibited music due to potential negative consequences, such as its historical association with alcohol and inappropriate behavior.
Therefore, it is crucial for Muslims to comprehend this diversity of opinions among scholars and use it as the foundation for a broader discussion about music in Islam. It is also important to respect perspectives that allow listening to music as long as it has a positive impact while maintaining the values of the religion. All of this is part of the richness and flexibility of Islamic teachings. Wallahu’alam.
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