There are some nasheed that use either music or computer generated sounds faintly on the background. Is it permissible to listen to these if the sound is turned down so that these sounds cannot be heard?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

Music is strictly prohibited in Islam.

Allah (SWA) in the Holy Qur’an has said ‘And there are among men, those that purchase idle tales, to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and through ridicule.  For such there will be a humiliating punishment. (Surah Luqman v.6)

The tafsir of the word Lahwal-Hadith (idle-tales means music as explained by Saaiduna Abdullah Ibn Masud Radiallahu Anhu (see Sunan Baihaqi p.223 v.1) and by Saaiduna Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhu (Sunan Baihaqi p.221 v.1)

Imran bin Hussain Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said ‘This ummah will experience the swallowing up of some people by the earth, metamorphosis of some into animals, and being rained upon with stones’.  A man amongst the Muslims asked: ‘O Prophet of Allah! When will this be?’ He said: ‘When female singers and musical instruments appear and alcohol will be consumed’ (Sunan Tirmizi p.44 v.2)

Saaiduna Ali Ibn Talib Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said ‘When my ummah begin doing fifteen things, they will be inflicted with tribulations. And (from those fifteen) he said: ‘When female singers and musical instruments become common’ (Sunan Tirmizi p.44 v.2)

With regards to your question as long as the music is not being heard from the nasheed it will be permissible to listen to the nasheed.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.