Understanding the Difference Between Major and Minor Mistakes in Islam

 MUSIC IS A MEANS OF MISGUIDANCE AND PUNISHMENT

Music is a means of misguidance and punishment. Its removal from society is possible through a Muslim's effort and struggle.

*Surah Luqman, Verse 6:*

*"And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead others from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment."*

Sayyid Abdullah bin Mas'ud Rad. swore three times and said that this refers to singing and music.

(Tabrani, 39/21)

Imam Hasan Basri Rh. said:

This verse was revealed concerning singing and musical instruments.

The same tafsir is reported from Sayyidna Ibn Abbas Rd., Hazrat Jabir Rd., Hazrat Ikrimah Rd., Hazrat Sa'eed bin Jubair Rd., Hazrat Amr bin Shu'aib Rd., and Hazrat Ali bin Huzayma Rh.

(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 6/331)

Singing and music is a severe type of amusement. It is more harmful than the talks of kings and rulers. 

Because it is a ladder to zina and a tent of sin. Hypocrisy grows from it, and Shaitan becomes a partner in it. 

It creates intoxication in the intellect. Music is among the most severe of false matters that prevent and stop from the Quran. 

Because the self inclines toward it very strongly and desires it.

*SINGING AND MUSIC IS THE VOICE OF SHAITAN*

*Surah Al-Isra, Verse 64:*

*"And incite whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your cavalry and infantry and become a partner in their wealth and children and promise them. But Shaitan does not promise them except delusion."*

In this verse, the satanic voice means singing and music.

Imam Mujahid Reh. said: Its meaning is:

"O Iblees, overcome them with games, amusements, and singing and music."

Hazrat Ibn Abbas Rd. said:

In this verse, every voice is meant that calls toward disobedience to Allah.

This is also the statement of Hazrat Qatada Rd. And Hazrat Ibn Jarir Rh. adopted the same view.

*AVOIDING MUSIC IS A SIGN OF A BELIEVER*

*Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 72:*

*"And those who do not witness falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity."*

Imam Mujahid Rh. said that its meaning is: They do not listen to singing and music.

(Tafsir Tabari, 19/313)

The most correct view is to say: "They [the servants of Ar-Rahman] do not participate in any kind of falsehood. 

Neither in shirk, nor in singing and music, nor in lying, nor in any other act to which the word 'zur' applies, meaning vain deeds."

(Tafsir Ibn Jarir, 19/29)

*MUSIC IS A TACTIC OF THE POLYTHEISTS*

*Surah An-Najm, Verse 59:*

*"Then at this statement do you wonder?"*

*Surah An-Najm, Verse 60:*

*"And you laugh and do not weep"*

*Surah An-Najm, Verse 61:*

*"While you are amusing yourselves."*

Hazrat Ibn Abbas Rd. said: "Samidoon" means singing and music. 

When they [the polytheists] heard the Quran, they would start singing. Then this verse was revealed.

(Tafsir Tabari, 22/559)