Fatwa ID: 04570

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

Assalaamu Alaykum.

My question is related to the new trend that is within our Muslim youth, and it has been going on for some time now. Islamic rapping. I have seen clips of young Muslims singing in the rap style but no music no dancing just simple lyrics that they have written themselves, about life in general, death, Allah, and the current issues related to youth.

Please can you tell me if such a practice is within Sharia boundaries and whether it is lawful? 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

According to my respected teacher Hadhrat Sufi Tahir Sahib (D.B), Islamic rapping will be permissible as long as the reciting person is not a woman, and the subject of the poetry recited is also not vulgar or indecent. (See Maariful Qur’an p.36 v.7)

If the rapping is accompanied by music then without a doubt it will be impermissible.

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, the 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 begins 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)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.