Fatwa ID: 01702

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

I have been a Musician since 14 years and an Audio Engineer since 5 years, I came to Canada to proceed with my studies. A little while after I came to Canada I have converted to Islam alhamdulillah.

I know Music is Haram in Islam and I am ready to give up all Music, listening and playing for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and it is not a problem for me. The problem is I came to Canada to study music, my studies require me to compose music and play guitar and also record music which are assignments required by the college so I can graduate.

I have been in this college since 1 month now with my tuition paid on time, I do not know what to do if I should withdraw from the college and go back to my country as I did not know it was forbidden until after I enrolled. it is a 1 Year course.

Is it ok to use my skills and music only for educational purposes just until I graduate? because if I don't I will fail. Inshalla I am planning to use my Audio Engineering skills to fix up Mosque sound systems back in my country and record Quran Recitation for the benefit of Muslim education and kids to learn.

I do not want to do anything that's against the will of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, I want to be only on the right path inshallah, please any expert advice would be much appreciated. May peace be Upon you.

 Answer:

Music is something which is strictly prohibited in Islam. 

Allah 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 (see Sunan Baihaqi p.223 v.1) and by Saaiduna Ibn Abbas (Sunan Baihaqi p.221 v.1)

Imran bin Hussain narrates that the Prophet of Allah 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 narrates that the Prophet of Allah 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)

After doing mashwarah (consultation) with my respected teachers they have said that firstly you should try your best to change the course which you are currently doing. The same way listening and playing music is unlawful, learning to compose and record music is also unlawful as well.

If that is not possible then you should withdraw from the course even though this will lead you to lose large amount of money which you have paid in the tuition fees, travel and accommodation. 

Finally, if it is not possible for you to withdraw from the course, for example, the college is demanding that you complete the year and are not willing to withdraw you from the course or because you don’t have the finance available to go back home, then it will be permissible for you to continue with the course. However, I would like to stress this is a special ruling for this particular situation and is not for every individual. Remember to fear Allah at all times and be conscious of His presence. Pray to Allah to save you from the mischief of the Nafs and Shaitan and help you in this trying and testing situation.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham