In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…
From the unique writings of the late scholar, Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd (may Allaah have Mercy on him), is a beneficial 700-page dictionary of “bad language” called “Mu’jam al-Manaahee al-Lafthiyyah” in which he identified and refuted incorrect, inappropriate, and/or impermissible words and phrases that some people use.
In this book (p.117), he included how some people refer to the Quran as “music” or “musical”, or having musical tones or rhythms, and commented:
These are unacceptable descriptions because of three issues:
[1] This is claiming a likeness between Quranic Verses and impermissible musical instruments.
[2] Music is an art form that draws people into disobedience and wickedness, so how could it resemble the Magnificent Quran, the Speech of the Lord of all the worlds, that which guides to eemaan (statements, actions, and beliefs of faith) and the Straight Path?!
[3] Allaah the Exalted has refuted the idea of the Quran being poetry and exonerated it above that (claim), so how could it (the Quran) then resemble the voices and instruments of musicians?! (something far worse)
As the Arabs who have picked up these kinds of repugnant phrases from books that the scholars have been warning against (like Sayyid Qutb’s “Thilaal” for example), it is also hoped that those who have lent their ears to certain ignorant and reckless preachers in the English language would also abandon the use of these kinds of phrases and distinguish themselves as people who speak about Allaah and His Book with respect.
And Allaah knows best.
Translation and commentary by Moosaa Richardson
As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaah,
May Allah bless you, the article is informative.
Is there anything on beat-boxing? Many many Muslims think it’s permissible and unfortunately it has become an instrument to their singing.
Jazaakumullaahu khayr.
As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh,
Ramadaan Mubaarak, akhee Moosaa. This was a good article, al-Hamdulillaah.
Sister Umm Sufyaan has posed an interesting question, and I’d like to pose a more general version of it. What’s the ruling on using the human voice to make (sounds resembling) music? Examples may include humming tunes, beat-boxing, scatting, etc. I don’t know what Islam considers the human voice to be, but the kuffaar pride themselves in believing that the human voice is one of the most versatile of musical instruments, wa Allaahul Musta’aan. This was precisely what I was taught when I took music courses before subscribing to the Salafee da’wah.
Baarak Allaahu feekum,
Rofi Syedul Islam
Subuhanullah, this was on the “ISLAM CHANNEL” in 2007 […] when Yusuf Estes was doing live Q&As: http://safeshare.tv/w/hNGJSvXYBV
[Message abridged by admin.]
asSalaamu ´aleykum wa rahmatullaah wa baraaktuh,
Mayy Allaah increase you in Knowlendge of His Deen. I was wondering if it was the same Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd who has been refuted by Shaykh Rabee´ hafidhahullaah?
jazaakAllaahu khair
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.
Yes, it is the same one – may Allaah have Mercy on him. Refutations transpired between these two great scholars regarding Sayyid Qutb and issues related to academic criticism.
Assalaamaleykum warahmathuhloahi wabarakaatuhu
I would like to know Is poetry haram in islam? Even Islamic poems that are written? And other kinds of poems like calling towards Deen with Motivational words in poems and different kinds of poems which there aren’t any harm like entertaining funny poems?
wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Poetry without music is permissible.
Asslamu alaikum, may Allah, the most High bless you and your family with the highest level of Paradise. I would like to seek some guidance regarding the following questions inshaaAllah:
Are hadiths meant to be recited like the Qur’an?
And is this recitation of hadith (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=568SD2_oQFE&list=PL506FB382D9290E31&index=5&t=0s)
utilising the tajweed rule of the Quran?
Jazakallhu khair for all your assistance in answering the many questions on this site!
Wa ‘alaykum as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Our scholars generally forbid the application of Tajweed rules to other than the texts of the Quran, however a few of them have allowed reading hadeeths in a mildly melodious tone, without going overboard. The example you have provided seems to be the kind of going overboard which even those who would allow a melodious reading of hadeeth would not allow. And Allah knows best.
Alhamdulillah, my instincts guide me to the truth, I always felt from my own understanding that it is an insult to put Qur’an recitation in the same category as music and it turns out that is exactly correct!
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Moosaa,
Can I listen to Qur`aan recitations while I’m at work? I ask because I’m confident there would be times where I wouldn’t be focusing on the recitation, but rather on my work. I would be back and forth in my focus. Is this ok?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Try to listen to the Quran when it is playing. When a phone call comes, or detailed interactions and focus on something else is needed, turn off the Quran. May Allaah bless your work.
As Salam wa alaikum Moosaa.
I’ve recently learned something about a well-known Qur’an reciter, Mishary Rashid Afasy, that he does things that are Sufi related. I am aware that Afasy affiliates himself with Green Lane Masjid, which I’ve recently learned have some aqidah of the Ikwani Muslimeen. My question is, is it permissible to listen to recitations of the Qur’an that Afasy recites?
Barak Allahu Feek.
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. A Muslim will undoubtedly love his Quran teacher, so I advise you to learn the Quran from an upright teacher from Ahlus-Sunnah who is not known for any deviation himself or any support for falsehood, even if he is not well known or as qualified as the more famous ones, who tend to be more of a trial for the people than a benefit. To be clear about the one you are asking about, Al-Afaasy, then NO, I do not recommend that you listen to or learn from him. May Allah bless you, and Allah knows best.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
someone says Quran is Musical but they argue they saying that only due to fact that it is something ‘Mesmerising’.
So I reply saying , yes the meaning you said is correct but your terminology usage (of ‘musical’) is wrong because in reality it carries a wrong meaning as mentioned in the article . is this correct ?
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
What you have described sounds like good advice. May Allah bless you. And Allah knows best.
[Comment abridged significantly by admin] …You rose significant suspicion when you posted the english translation audio of the shaykh speech on spreaker but this time with a correct title saying ” The Obligation of social distancing during these times” making us think you actually acknowledge that you made error in the first article title due to which in second one you decided to subtly change it (removing “obligation from Allah”) to the one that is correct but without correcting the first title…
After careful review of that topic, it is clear there has been no error in the translation or the title of any of those translations. I love to correct my errors, and there is no reason for me to avoid that, if it were the case. The attempt to claim that I was partially retracting some error is just a figment of someone’s imagination. The article called, “Social Distancing During These Times is an Obligation From Allah; It Only Increases Our Love for One Another” remains available here. I am 100% capable -by Allah’s Permission- of changing that title or any content of the article if there were an error in it. You are invited to review the words of Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan carefully without bias, and the many statements of the scholars on this issue, and return the matter to them, seeking safety for yourself and those around you. May Allah give you success.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Moosaa Richardson,
May Allaah preserve you. Sometimes we would like to do some indoor sports, like bowling, rock climbing, mini-golf, etc. These are available, but we find they have music playing in the background. Sometimes loud.
Is it permissible to attend places where music is played in the background? Jazaak Allaahu Khayrun.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. The dangers of music are serious, and so these places should be avoided whenever possible. Muslim communities can reserve some places for beneficial recreation, for the entire day for the community, like on ‘Eid days, as many communities do, and they can have the staff disable the music, wal-hamdu lillaah.