In many Muslim quarters, especially in the Masjid, music is considered haraam. Period.

Despite many objections, the uelma point to the methodology that helps them derive all rules in Islam. To their credit, they are being honest and following the methods of Shari’ah. And, not behaving like politicians. So, at least that is some good.

Here is the traditional ruling on music. Any aalim will take you through Qur’an and Hadeeth, and then expound on these two divine sources.

Problems With This Verdict

► We note that the Qur’an is silent on the issue. However, ulema use the interpretations of the Salaf.

– Sayings of the Salaf (athaar) risks the problems of authenticity if they not backed by Qur’an or Hadeeth. No work was done by early ulema to elucidate the authenticity of the athaar, unlike the great work on hadeeth.

► Note, the Ahadeeth are contradictory on the subject: some allow, others don’t.

– Had there be no contradictory ahadeeth, the issue would have been not complicated.

► During the times of al-Ghazali, who reconciled Sufism with Islam, music was quite widespread in Muslim lands. While he allowed music, the Salafi-inspired ulema protest that he “did not have knowledge about ahadeeth”.

– That does not sound like a convincing counter-argument.

Why Music Is Not Haraam

Since Qur’an is silent and ahadeeth are not consistent, one needs to define music before banning it, just as one has to define a thief, a zaani, etc.

– A hundred year back, no one could have defined music. Today we know how music is produced, just as we know the reason for rain, floods, earthquakes or tsunami. Science has had a huge impact on the way we live, how we treat our illness, how we see things around us.

– Music is like the words you are reading, which can have a range of emotions – from neutral to extreme. Heard bad music? It is just as awful as bad writing or bad painting? It is a simple physical phenomenon. The complexity is man-made.

But There Could Be A Chance The Ahadeeth Can Be True?

All things in nature are halaal, unless they have been declared haraam. Since the ahadeeth are not consistent, and now we can define music as a physical phenomenon, we cannot ban music.

Ahadeeth do not have the promise of Allah for authenticity. This is a very basic concept in Islam. Their authenticity was derived by the hard work of muhadiththoon. When contradictions exist, ahadeeth can be over-ruled. I believe that is what Imam Ghazali did.

Regulate Music?

At times one wants to regulate music due to obscenity and violence associated with it. Hence, the eager willingness to ban the whole package. However unlike any human activity that ‘crosses the line’, music on its own remains too vague even to regulate.

Though, it’s excesses can be regulated within the realm of general advice on extravagance. However, if we begin to regulate everything, then, we risk following the current-day Israeli government.

Methodology for deriving the rule on “Music”