The Almighty
has created man with the best physical and intellectual abilities. Desires for
beauty and stateliness of thought and practice are found in his nature. He is
well-disposed to choose good to the exclusion of evil, and prefer piety to
sinfulness. He professes virtues of love, fidelity, truth, purity, justice and
equality, and shuns hatred, falsehood, injustice and inequity. He yearns for
enlightenment and shuns ignorance; he goes for fragrance and evades fetidness;
he craves for beauty and dislikes ugliness. All cultural advancement and
progress in civilization, in fact, owes itself to this very natural desire in
man for beauty and grandeur. Every small step he has taken for advancement
testifies to his inclination towards the best.
He needed
nutrition for his growth for which he could have done with brambles and
potherbs, but he innovated a variety of delicious foods as an essential part of
his meals. His sense of modesty required that he cover his private parts, for
which he could have wrapped himself up in sackcloth, but he went for silk,
brocade and satin. He needed shelter. Caves, tents or huts scattering through
forests and deserts could have satisfied this need, and yet he chose to build
cities and bejewelled them with magnificent palaces. In social life, he needed
an effective means of communication. But he did not feel content with simple
signs and symbols or even a plain discourse; instead he coined such eloquent
styles of expression that language developed into poetry and literature.
The history of
mankind - in the realm of social and cultural progress - sufficiently evidences
the fact that in his very nature, man longs for beauty and grandeur in all
activities that emanate from him. His physical and psychological senses, and
their necessary characteristics, mirror his interest in beauty. Therefore, we
see that his appreciation for the ambience of life and its vivid images drives
him to decorate his surroundings. His command on expressing himself leads him to
take ordinary words, and develop their rhyme and meanings into poetry. This is
because of his appreciation for a beautiful voice that he infuses passion in his
utterances and uses the high and low pitches in composing enchanting musical
tones. His yearning to hear pleasing sounds draws him towards the captivating
resonance in his environment and forces him to invent musical instruments to
master and reproduce these sounds. Music is nothing but the manifestation of his
beauty of utterance and taste for pleasing sounds. Therefore, music satisfies
his want of beauty and affords him an opportunity to delight his innerself.
It is commonly
believed that the Islamic Sharī‘ah prohibits music and musical instruments
altogether. However, we understand that this view cannot be substantiated from
the basic sources of religious knowledge in Islam. Only the Holy Qur’ān and the
Sunnah have the sole authority to render something allowed or forbidden. Nothing
can be added or deducted from the list of the allowed and forbidden articles of
the Sharī‘ah.
In order to
identify the Sharī‘ah directives regarding a certain matter, Muslim scholarship
has generally sought the two authentic sources: the Qur’ān and Sunnah. An
inquiry into the H*adīth literature ascribed to the Holy Prophet (sws) follows
this. If the issue is addressed in these narratives, they are also to be
benefited from in the light of the established principles of sense and reason,
and religious knowledge. The previous Divine scriptures are also resorted to
when necessary. Opinions ascribed to the companions, exegetical works, H*adīth
and Fiqh are also consulted in such analytical study.
Strictly
following these acknowledged principles of research, we have attempted to
conduct a thorough inquiry to find out the Islamic stance on music. Our study
led us to believe that the Holy Qur’ān does not have any direct or indirect,
explicit or implicit directive that can evidence the prohibition of music.
Likewise, the list of Sunan (i.e. practices established by the Holy Prophet (sws)
as part of the religion) also does not offer any basis for the assumed
prohibition of music in Islam. The H*adīth literature contains many S*ahīh
and H*asan
narratives ascribed to the Holy Prophet (sws), which allude to the allowance of
music. However, some narratives depict it as a prohibited activity, but scholars
of the science of H*adīth have declared most such narratives D*a‘īf.
Furthermore, a close examination of the narratives that are presented as basis
for the prohibition of music show that it is only the involvement of drinking,
nudity, and other moral depravity that renders the entire event forbidden. As
for the previous scriptures, the Holy Bible explicitly refers to the fact that
the Prophet David (sws) was gifted with a very pleasing voice. He would glorify
God in his psalms, which he sang accompanied with enchanting music. The Zabūr
(i.e. Psalms), the book revealed to him, is a collection of such songs that he
sang on a harp. Different views of the Companions on the issue have been
recorded in the H*adīth and the exegetical literature. As for the works of the
researchers and scholars of the past, many of the commentators of the Qur’ān
understood some Qur’ānic words to be referring to music. Based on their
interpretation of the Qur’ānic references, they maintained that it is prohibited
in Islam. As we have already mentioned, scholars of the science of Hadīth
consider that most of the narratives which are often presented to establish the
prohibition of music are D*a‘īf and unreliable. Some of these scholars declare
that there is no S*ah*īh* H*adīth in the entire corpus of the H*adīth
literature that proves the prohibition of music. However, the majority of the
jurists have declared that music is an activity forbidden in Islam. They base
their argument on narratives discarded as D*a‘īf by the scholars of the science of H*adīth.
We have
studied all these sources of religious knowledge and have tried to determine the
status of music in Islam. Our thorough research has led us to the conclusion
that music is one of the permissible natural gifts of God. The Islamic Sharī‘ah
does not forbid it. One can use the musical tones in hymns, encomia, odes or
tragedy, epic and comedic poems. However, if any of these literary poetical
compositions contain any polytheistic or atheistic subject matters or is prone
to promote impiety and sinfulness, then of course, it must be condemned and
rendered unallowable. But it must be understood, this is only the content of the
poetry recited that is being condemned in this case not the art of music itself.
If the content of the poems and all literature is endorsed by the Sharī‘ah and
does not offend man’s moral values, then music can be used in poetry, prose,
oratory, writings and recitals. If the message conveyed through the rendered
contents does not conform to religious and moral principles, then all such
indulgences shall necessarily be forbidden. For example, if a poem written in
praise of a messenger of God is contaminated by verses expressive of
polytheistic ideas then that very poem is to be forbidden, not the art of
poetry. Similarly, songs that contain immoral utterances should be condemned.
However, once again, this is done merely because the contents of these literary
genres contain debauchery and the literary activity itself cannot be prohibited
based on this. Still, if any such permissible thing has become associated with
an evil thing, it can be temporarily banned in order to block the way for that
inseparable evil.
1. Music and
the Holy Qur’ān
The Holy
Qur’ān is the last episode of the religious guidance divulged by God to man.
Initially implanted in human nature in the form of intuitive knowledge of
certain basic facts, this religious guidance culminates in the Holy Qur’ān. Over
the course of history, different Prophets (sws) of God added different rites,
rituals and practices to the treasure of Divine guidance.
The Prophet
Abraham (sws) gave these practices (known to all as Sunat-i-Ibrāh*īmī) a
well-defined and concrete shape. On the other hand, Divine books like the Torah,
Psalms and the Gospels further explained various aspects of the Sharī‘ah
directives and the wisdom behind them. Then, finally, came the Prophet Muhammad
(sws) and the Holy Qur’ān. Thus, the Holy Qur’ān is the last version of the
religious guidance and not the first. It would mean that besides the Holy Qur’ān,
the sources of religious guidance include dictates of nature, Abrahamic
practices and previous scriptures.
All religious
precepts are termed as Ma‘rūf and Munkar in the Holy Qur’ān. The word Ma‘rūf
signifies all such acts as are inscribed in the human nature as praiseworthy,
and the word Munkar is applied to the ones considered evil. Man’s ability to
tell the nature of the deeds enables him to distinguish good from evil. This is
the very yardstick by which he can identify the moral and immoral aspects of
certain acts. Therefore, relying on this human knowledge, the Holy Qur’ān does
not provide an exhaustive list of good and bad deeds. Generally, it only
provides principal guidance. Detailed guidance is only considered necessary
where humans tend to err in a specific matter and clarifications are rendered
inevitable.
In the light
of the above explanation, we can conclude that the Holy Qur’ān does not pass a
verdict on all human thoughts and actions. Rather, it leaves the matter to men
to decide for themselves in the light of primary sources of religious knowledge,
referred to above as innate guidance and established religious practices. In
some matters, it gives only principal guidance and/or slight hints. In others,
it provides necessary details. As for music, the matter has not been directly
addressed in the Holy Qur’ān. No single Qur’ānic verse clarifies its religious
status.
i. Rhyme and
Rhythm in Qur’ānic Verses
The Holy
Qur’ān contains unparalleled aural beauty and the best stylistic expression.
Though a literary masterpiece, it cannot be identified with the well-known
literary genres like poetry, prose or oration. Yet, the element of rhyme in its
verses exhibit that the Author has given special attention to it in order to
give it a tint of rhythm. The rhyme element in the Qur’ān creates an enchanting
effect on the listeners - commoners or scholars, Muslims or non-Muslims alike.
It was only this aspect of the Qur’ānic discourse because of which the Quraysh
were able to say that the Holy Prophet (sws) was a poet and the Qur’ān, a poetic
composition. Since the Almighty has beautified the Qur’ān with rhyme and rhythm,
we can conclude that He loves rhyme and rhythm in words, and beauty in their
sounds. Music no doubt is a form of this assonance created by a certain order of
words and their sounds. For that account, the Holy Prophet (sws) encouraged the
believers to recite the Qur’ān with a beautiful and pleasing sound. He is
reported to have said:
He who does
not recite the Qur’ānic verses in a beautiful tone does not belong to us. (Bukhārī,
No: 7089)
Beautify your
recitation of the Qur’ān with your beautiful recitation. (Ibn Khuzaymah, No:
1556)
ii. The
Prophet David (sws) and his Psalms
When the
Prophet David (sws) would sing God’s praises, the birds and mountains would join
him. This has been referred to in Surahs Anbīyā, Sabā and S*uād of the Holy
Qur’ān.
…and We caused
the mountains and the birds to join with David. They would praise God with him.
(21:79)
In the verse,
the verb ‘sakhr’ has been employed, which means to subject something, subdue it,
and bring it in conformity with something else. Though it is not clear from
different usages of the word in the Qur’ān that the Prophet David (sws) would
sing his hymns, yet if seen in the light of the Biblical texts, it becomes clear
that he certainly did. The Bible clearly mentions that the Prophet David (sws)
would beautifully sing his psalms on a harp.
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful
noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with
thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. (Psalms 95:1-2)
Oh sing to the
Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His
name; show forth His salvation from day to day. (Psalms 96:1-2)
I will sing a
new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You.
(Psalms 144:9)
The famous
Muslims scholar, Abu’l Kalām Azād has taken the referred to Qur’ānic verse to
mean that David (sws) would sing his psalms in praise of God. He writes:
The Prophet David (sws) had a very sweet sound. He is the
first to compile Hebrew music and he developed the Egyptian and Babylonian harps
into more sophisticated musical instruments. A study of the Torah and Jewish
tradition reveals that when he would climb the mountain tops and sing the praise
of his Lord on his harp, the trees and stones would join him enraptured.
Exegetical narratives also corroborate this fact. ‘Subjecting the birds to David
(sws)’ can signify either that all kinds of birds would flock to his palace or
his songs would enrapture them. The book of Psalms comprises a wonderful
collection of songs that David (sws) composed with Divine inspiration.
Renowned
Qur’ānic exegete, Amīn Ah*san Islāh*ī too has explained the verse of Sūrah
Anbīyā in the light of the Biblical narrative. He writes:
David (sws) cherished a deep communion with God. At
nights, He would set out for the mountains and sing the praises of God. The
pleasing sound of his songs would echo through the mountains and the birds would
join him. It is noteworthy that the Torah clearly mentions that David (sws) not
only had a very sweet voice but his voice revealed strong passion. Furthermore,
all these hymns are in the form of songs and poems inspired by God. These
inspired hymns cast such deep effect on the listeners that even successive
translations have left only little poetical element in them, they still fully
captivate the audience. The heart leaps for joy upon hearing them. Imagine a
person with so sweet a sound as David (sws) singing the praises of God amid the
serene mountains in the stillness of early dawn. You would no longer doubt that
the mountains would echo and the birds would respond to his utterances. One
should not entertain the thought that it is only a poetical reverie. Nay, it
stands an irrevocable fact. The Holy Qur’ān makes it clear that everything in
this universe exalts the Lord. It is our lack of understanding, due to which, we
cannot comprehend these thanksgivings. Their yearning to praise God is inflamed
when someone else starts singing their heart’s voice. They feel enraptured by
such a song in the surroundings and join the singer in his utterances. Our
inability to comprehend the thanksgiving offered by each and every creation
should not lead us to conclude that none else could understand it. All such
people as have molten hearts can. Mawlana Rūm has beautifully expressed the
thought in the following verses:
The philosopher belies the incident of H*anānah. He is not familiar with the
(extraordinary) senses of the Prophets.
The famous
Urdu poet Mirzā Ghālib says:
At your end is
the problem that you do not know the secrets being unveiled to you. Something
that seems a curtain before you is in fact the pardah from which the music flows.
Islāhi’s
commentary of the relevant verses of Sūrah S*uād reflects the fact that David (sws)
alone was able to comprehend the praises of the mountains and birds because it
was a special favour of God on him. He writes:
Each and
everything in this universe sings the praises of God. It is only the humans who
cannot understand their utterances. Our failure to understand their praises does
not necessitate that none could understand them. The Almighty had bestowed upon
David (sws) not only the sound sweet enough to enrapture the birds and the
mountains, but also the perceptive ears which could enable him to understand the
hymns of the mountains and birds.
2. Music in
the Bible
The Bible is a
collection of the Torah, Psalms, Gospels and other Divine scriptures. Basically,
it contains God’s Sharī‘ah and His wisdom. Although different followers of the
Book have lost many parts of this Divine book and altered some others because of
their mutual differences, yet it treasures invaluable assets of Divine guidance.
If seen in the light of the final revelation - the Holy Qur’ān - the contents of
the Bible afford us very precious guidance.
We find
numerous references to music and musical instruments in the Bible. This means
that in the religion brought by the Prophets of God, music and musical
instrument have never been disallowed. In the Bible, one finds many places where
music accompanies the praises of God. Besides, at many other places, the Bible
positively mentions the use of music in expressing delight, sorrow, as well as
in the context of war.
i. Worship
Rituals and Music
When the
Pharaoh and his people were destroyed in the sea by the command of God, as
mentioned in Exodus, and Moses (sws) successfully delivered his people from the
Egyptian captivity, all the Israelites embraced the faith and believed in God
and His Messenger. On that occasion, Moses (sws) and the believers accompanying
him praised their Lord:
Then the sons of Moses and Israel
sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying, ‘I will sing to the Lord, for He
has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider, He has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation’. (Exodus
15:1-2)
Who is like You, O Lord, among
the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing
wonders? (Exodus 15:11)
What follows
this is the reason that occasioned the singing. Maryam, the sister of Moses and
Aaron, it has been told, played a tambourine.
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and
with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea
upon them. But the sons of Israel went on dry land in the middle of the sea. And
Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel (a musical instrument
similar to tambourine) in her hand. And all the women went out after her with
timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing to the Lord, for He has
triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.
(Exodus 15: 19-21)
According to Chronicles, when the Prophet Solomon (sws)
got back the Ark of Covenant, the whole Israel stood before it and offered
sacrifices to express their delight and sang praises to their Lord.
And they were as one to the trumpeters and to the singers,
to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and as they
lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music,
and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy endures forever, the
house was filled with a cloud, the house of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 5:13)
As for the
book of Psalms, it comprises a wonderful variety of inspired pieces of music and
songs. There are numerous internal testimonies to the fact that the Prophet
David (sws) sang these songs with the help of musical instruments. Inscriptions
to many chapters of the book read, ‘To the Chief Musician, for stringed
instruments. A Psalm of David (sws).’ The contents of the Psalms also evidence
this fact.
Oh come, let
us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to
Him with psalms. (Psalms 95:1-2)
Oh sing to the
Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His
name; show forth His salvation from day to day. (Psalms 96:1-2)
I will sing a
new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You.
(Psalms 144:9)
ii. Music as
Expression of Gladness on the Most Joyous Occasion
We learn from
the Bible that the Israelites used music to celebrate joyous occasions.
According to the book of Kings, Solomon’s kingship was proclaimed with joyful
music and songs.
And all the people came up after him, and the people piped
with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth was torn with their
sound. (1 Kings 1:40)
iii. Music in
the Context of Wars
According to
the book of Numbers, the Almighty commanded Moses (sws) to make two silver
trumpets to call the assembly, and to signal instructions in regulating
movements of the troops in times of war.
And the Lord
spoke to Moses saying, ‘make two trumpets of silver for yourself. You shall make
them of beaten work. And they shall be used for the calling of the assembly and
for causing the camps to go forward.’ (Numbers 10:1-2)
(to be
continued)
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