Is Music Haram in Islam? A Balanced Evidence-Based Answer

Understanding the Quranic Verses, Authentic Hadith, and Scholarly Opinions

Music has been a topic of intense debate among Muslims for centuries. Some scholars declare all music haram, while others permit certain types under specific conditions. As someone who struggled with this question for years, I've compiled this comprehensive guide to help you navigate this complex issue with clarity.

In this article, you'll discover:

Complete Quranic verses about music (with Arabic, transliteration & translations)
Authentic Hadith evidence from Sahih Bukhari and Muslim
4 major scholarly opinions from classical to contemporary scholars
Practical guidance for Muslims living in the digital age

1. Quranic Evidence About Music

Surah Luqman 31:6 - The Controversial Verse

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ

Wa minan-naasi man yashtaree lahwal-hadeethi liyudilla 'an sabeelil-laahi bighayri 'ilmin wa yattakhizahaa huzuwaa; ulaa'ika lahum 'azaabun muheen.

English: "And of the people is he who buys idle talk (lahw al-hadith) to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment."

Urdu: "اور بعض لوگ ایسے ہیں جو فضول باتوں کو مول لیتے ہیں تاکہ بغیر علم کے اللہ کی راہ سے بہکائیں اور اسے مذاق بنائیں، ان کے لیے ذلت کا عذاب ہے۔"

Key Interpretation Debate

Strict View: Ibn Abbas (RA) interpreted "lahw al-hadith" as musical instruments and singing.

Alternative View: Modern scholars like Dr. Zakir Naik argue it refers to false stories that distract from Islam.

2. Authentic Hadith Evidence

Hadith Prohibiting Musical Instruments

لَيَكُونَنَّ مِنْ أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ يَسْتَحِلُّونَ الْحِرَ وَالْحَرِيرَ وَالْخَمْرَ وَالْمَعَازِفَ

Layakoonanna min ummatee aqwamun yastahilloona al-hira wal-hareera wal-khamra wal-ma'azif.

English: "There will be people from my Ummah who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, silk (for men), alcohol, and musical instruments as lawful."

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5590

Hadith Permitting Singing

عن عائشة أن أبا بكر دخل عليها وعندها جاريتان في أيام منى تدففان وتغنيان

'An 'A'isha anna Aba Bakr dakhala 'alayha wa 'indaha jariyatani fi ayyami Mina taduffani wa tughanniyani.

English: "Aisha reported that Abu Bakr entered upon her while two young girls were beating the daff (hand drum) and singing on Eid days."

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 952

3. Scholarly Opinions Compared

Scholar	Opinion	Evidence Used
Ibn Taymiyyah	All instruments haram except daff at weddings	Quran 31:6 + Bukhari 5590
Imam Al-Ghazali	Permissible if lyrics are Islamic and doesn't lead to sin	Bukhari 952 + Cultural context
Yusuf Qaradawi	Nasheeds allowed, other music evaluated case-by-case	Principle of permissibility unless prohibited
Salafi View	All music forbidden	Literal reading of prohibitive texts

If you choose to avoid music:

Replace with Quran recitation
Islamic lectures
Nature sounds

If you listen moderately:

Avoid explicit or shirk-filled lyrics
Set time limits (e.g., 30 mins/day)
Prefer artists like Maher Zain, Mesut Kurtis

For parents:

Gradually introduce Islamic alternatives to children

Common Questions About Music in Islam

Is listening to Quran recitation with music permissible?

This is a complex issue with differing opinions:

"Whoever introduces an innovation in this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected." (Bukhari 2697)

Conservative view: Not permitted as it mixes Quran with invented musical arrangements
Moderate view: Allowed if the music doesn't overshadow the Quran and maintains reverence
Practical advice: Prefer plain recitations, but if using music, ensure it's very subtle and doesn't distract from the words of Allah

Can I listen to instrumental nasheeds without lyrics?

The permissibility depends on the instruments used:

Instrument	Scholarly View
Duff (hand drum)	Generally permitted for weddings/Eids
Piano/Flute	Disputed - some prohibit all, others allow if no sinful content
Electronic beats	Modern scholars often permit if used for halal purposes

Tip: The late Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz said: "If the heart finds comfort in it without sinful effects, it may be acceptable in moderation."

How can I quit music if I'm addicted?

Breaking music addiction requires a gradual approach:

Replace, don't just remove: Substitute music with Quran podcasts or Islamic lectures during commute/workouts

The 21-day detox: Challenge yourself to 3 weeks without music while tracking your spiritual state

Identify triggers: Notice when/why you crave music (stress? boredom?) and address the root cause

Seek alternatives: Try nature sounds, acoustic nasheeds, or silence for focus

"Allah says: 'If My servant comes closer to Me by a handspan, I come closer to him an arm's length...'" (Bukhari 7405)

Is Music Haram in Islam?