From: rayes@Snake.mcs.kent.edu (Sandra Rayes)
Subject: Re: About vain words and music (was Re: MORE HUMOUR)
Organization: Kent State University
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 05:11:56 GMT

In article <37334@imag.imag.fr> oueichek@ngulu (Ibaa Oueichek) writes:
>ali@babar.inria.fr (Ali Atie) writes:
>: 
>: *************************************
>: Anwar Saleh writes:
>: > Umm Kulthoom career was singing and did go to Hajj (Mecca) in 
>: > Saudia Arabia (the very strict country). 
>: 
>: Nobody has the right to forbid a muslim (man or woman) to
>: go to Hajj, even if this muslim is a singer.
> Does it mean that a "singer" is a "sinner" ?.
>: 
>: ***************************************
>: H. Harmanani writes:
>: >I heard that songs and music are not allowed in Islam except for
>: >classical music.  The reason I was given was that it wastes people
>: >time.  Could that be the case here? 
>: 
>: Listening to vain words (lahu al-hadith) is not allowed. Must of songs 
>: (Umm Kulthum, Abdel haleem, Ragheb Alameh, Mickel Jackson, ...) are
>: vain words, so they are forbidden.
>
This sweeping statement is strictly a matter of opinion, NOT supported
by any SOUND hadith, according to Sheikh Qaradawi.

SOME scholars object to music based on the "idle tales" verse of the
Quran, Sura Luqman, verse 6 which says:
	And there is among men those who purchase idle tales without
	knowledge TO mislead men from the Path of Allah..."

Maududi says in his Tafsir that this refers to an "idle talk" designed
specifically to absorb the listener, and as was customary, these tales
applied evil.  Also, he makes references that money is better spent
elsewhere.  Keep in mind that the custom among arabs in those days
was to recite poetry, and Maududi mentions this in relation to this
ayah.  So does this mean you must stop reading any poetry...especially
the ancient and beloved, pre-Islamic Arabic poetry???  Well, it does
if you go for the above prohibition.

> If G-D's says that Umm Kulthum, Fairuz and such great artists are "forbidden"
>then excuse-me, i don't want such a G-D.
> Now more seriously, should i understand that if your "heros" (whoever they
>are) come to power in Lebanon they will ban Um Kulthum ?. Does Hizbullah
>candidats for futur elections have such a wish on their list ?.
>
>: In addition, anything that takes you away from the right path and
>: leads you to lose your conscience (even for a little time) is an evil 
>: work, so you should avoid it. This is the case of music that challenge you to
>: dance. Instead, the classical music is allowed and it could be indeed 
>: a remedy for nervousness. However, the best thing is to listen to 
>: Allah(SWT)'s words, the Quran:
>

Comment:  I just love some of my brethren, who forgo music on the "idle 
talk" vein, but have their TV sets on ALL day....you gotta love it!

Now, on to a sheikh most EVERYONE recognizes, Yusuf al-Qaradawi on the
subject of Music:

	Among the entertainments which may comfort the soul, please the
	heart, and refresh the ear is singing.  Islam PERMITS singing
	under the condition that it not be in any way obscene or
\	harmful to Islamic Morals.

He goes on to give the ahadith about A'ishah's singing with a couple of
girls, while the Prophet himself listened (yes!  Despite some people who
say the woman's voice is 'awra).  When Abu Bakr entered and scolded them,
the Prophet told Abu Bakr to leave the girls alone and let them sing!
There are other Ahadith that support singing  and dancing.  

Abu Bakr al-'Arabi says "No sound hadith is available concerning the
prohibition of singing"
Ibm Hazm says (concerning the prohibition): "All that is reported on
this subject is false and fabricated."

Bear in mind that there are limitations, and as Qaradawi said, if the
music advocate un-Islamic morals, then that is another story.  But I
don't think ANYONE could prove to me that music by Mozart is haramful,
or folk-singing of Palestine is haramful, or that Dhalal Medah on the
'ud is haramful...If people believe this, then they should read any
books, poetry (INCLUDING Arabic ones), recite poetry, watch TV, sit
and talk to friends (since it leads to idleness), or play a musical
instrument in your privacy!  Please.

Sandra.

>: 
>Sham(u) ya tha (s)seif(u) lam yaghib(i) | Ibaa Oueichek. ouicheck@imag.imag.fr
>    Ya jamal(al) majd(i) fi(l) kutub(i) | LABORATOIRE 	BULL-IMAG
>Kablak(i) (t)tareekh(u) fi thulmaten    | Grenoble. 
>    Baadak(i) staula ala (sh)shuhub(i)  |
>