Evolution of Music in IslamImam Sikander Hashmi

Primary Sources

Qur’anRevealed by God to

Muhammad over 23 years

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

HadithRecorded sayings & teachings of

Prophet Muhammad ___

Music in Islamic Jurisprudence

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Majority disallowed use of most

instruments

Limited singing to certain categories

Reasoning behind Restrictions - I

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

“And from among people, there is he who buys the lahw al-hadith, so that he, being devoid of knowledge may mislead (people) from the Way of God and make a mockery of it. Such people are the ones for whom there is a disgraceful punishment.” (Qur’an, 31:6)

Lahw al-hadith: “distracting amusement of things”

Music (vocal or instrumental)

Buying singer/songs and other things that cause heedlessness in remembrance of God

Reasoning behind Restrictions - II

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

“From among my followers there will be

some people who will consider… the use

of musical instruments as lawful.”

“God has forbidden wine, gambling, drum,

and sarangi (Indian fiddle).”

40 narrations from Prophet Muhammad

indicating disallowance of musical

instruments

Exceptions & Allowances

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Duff: Tambourine without jingles

Drums: Sometimes

Cantillation Encouraged Singing/Chanting Permitted

Qur’an Praising God or Prophet

Adhan (call to prayer) Poetry with noble themes

Weddings

Occupational music

Military band music

Other Views

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Allowance of instruments (some or all)

Other types of songs

Some Sufis: Use of flute & other

instruments

Means of attaining closeness to God

Sheikh Ahmed Al Tuni

Recitation of Qur’an

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

“...and recite the Qur'an in slow,

measured rhythmic tones.” (Qur’an, 73:4)

Science of Qira’ah

Tajweed: Rules of phonetics, diction &

rendition

Colour-Coded Qur’an

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Recitation of Qur’an

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Qari Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad

Sheikh Abdur Rahman Al-Sudais

Sheikh Mishari Rashid Al-`Alafasi

Adhan – Call to Prayer

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Given before each prayer at every

mosque

Same words, different tunes

BBC reporter experiences Adhan

Adhan from Singapore Radio

Singing Praises

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Hamd: Praising of God

Na’at: Praising/remembering Prophet

South Asian classic

Malaysian group performing the Qasidat al-

Burdah

Growth in Islamic Music

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Growing acceptance of minority opinions

Critique of original stances

Lesser of two evils argument

Technology: Greater creativity & blurring

of lines of acceptability

Current Segments

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

No duff, no instruments, no enhanced vocals (duff only allowed in weddings)

Duff & vocals (original or enhanced)

Percussion instruments & vocals (original or enhanced)

All instruments & sounds

Examples - I

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Muhammad Nabeena

Al-Habib by Talib al-Habib

You’re Not Alone by Asif Choudhary

Mountains of Makkah by Zain Bhikha

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) performing Tala

`al Badru `Alayna

Junaid Jamshed before & after

Raihan in Malay

Aashiq al-Rasul: qawwali & debut video

Examples - II

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

Native Deen: Small Deeds

Modern na’at (Burdah)

Mesut Kurtis concert in Saudi Arabia

Sami Yusuf concert: Hasbi Rabbi

Kareem Salama – country

Thank You!

Evolution

of Music in

Islam

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