Today, Amanat Ali’s New Naat Video appeared on the internet. It was recorded from PTV channel and it might be released for this month of Aashura – Muharram – as he can also be watched wearing black clothes (which Muslims wear for mourn).
Soon after it uploaded, people started watching and opposing it, reason being The NAAT included various musical instruments and sounds. Within a few hours the video started getting so many comments that contained both positive and negative views about the video. We also left our point of view in front of the fans , we were of the view that It could be “more appropriate” If Amanat had read it, not SUNG it with Musical Instruments and sounds.
Usually, in Pakistan, Naat and Hamds are made without Music, not SUNG with MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.To support this argument lets check out some Hamds & Naats done by Pakistani Musicians:
1. Ali Hamza – Madeenay Mein (Naat)
2. Zain-ul-Abideen – Teri Hai Zameen (Dua/Hamd)
3. Ali Haider – Maula Dil Badal Day (Hamd)
Our question is Why didn’t they include Music into it ?
The trend of including music into these holy things perhaps got fame from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Hamd “Wohi Khuda Hai”. After that we have listened so many Religious stuff being done with Music.
In Islam, If new things are introduced as part of religion, it is referred to as “Biddat” which means bringing a new thing into the religion, which is strictly not allowed in Islam.
We didn’t declare any Fatwa against the musician or that the MUSIC is HARAM and its listeners will go to hell. But ! It doesn’t mean that Music is widely accepted in Islam and permissible. There are various school of thoughts in Islam who oppose Music. Some religious scholars consider Music as totally Haraam however some moderate scholars allow it, but mostly for Patriotic reasons or Celebrations.
Reason Why Music is not allowed in Islam
The major reason that Music is not allowed in Islam is because it takes you to fantasy and away from the real world, makes you lazy and distracts your attention which results in under-performance. Still, Music is not explicitly declared Haraam  BUT “Na Pasandeeda” (not liked) in Islam.
Now there are various logics presented by the people who defends Music. Some of the arguments and our counter-arguments are produced below:
Argument no 1 :
HAZRAT DAUD (DAVID) PEACE BE UPON HIM HAS THE MIRACLE OF MUSIC ,HE WAS PHILHARMONIC , HE KNOWS THE EVERY POTPOURRI , HE HAS THE UNMATCHLESS TUNE ,
HE HAS THE BEST INTONATION ,HE HAS A LOT OF CHORD ,WHENEVER HE STARTS THERE CHORAL MUSIC THE HUMANS , MOUNTAINS , ANIMALS , BIRDS AND EACH AND EVERYTHING ATTRACTS TO LISTEN HIM .
IF THE MUSIC (MOSEEQI) IS HARAM ?? SO WHY ALLAH GAVE HIM THOSE MIRACLE WHICH IS HARAM ??? AFTER ALL HE WAS THE MESSENGER (PROPHET) AND HIS NAME WAS ADDED IN THE BEST FOUR PROPHET , WHY ???
Counter-Argument :
Most respectfully, You must be aware of the fact that Sharab(wine, alcohol)Â once was allowed in Islam and was considered as cure for some diseases, but later on, It was declared Haram ! Why ?
because there is some good in alcohol but the bad outweighs the good.
Similary, Music may have some benefits but ultimately it outweighs the benefits and considered as distracting thing in Islam.
Lets take some practical scenarios:
Scenario 1:
You are listening to a song in Hi-volume in your room and suddenly “Azaan” reaches to your ears from nearby Masjid, Will you enjoy the Azaan with “Your Music” Â and keep the speakers turn on ?
or just turn your speakers off as soon as possible to avoid unpleasantness ?
Scenario 2:
We are just hoping that sometimes you go for Pray in Masjid, do you keep your ringtone as rocking one and don’t mind when a call comes while praying and the ringtone’s sound gets louder than Imam’s Qirrat ?
If you feel unpleasant or sorry for your act then you should understand that Music is not compatible with OUR RELIGION, culture and Ethics as well and thus not accepted in Islam.
If you are still following the Shariyah of Hazrat Daud (A.S), you are perfectly right in claiming that Music is the best gift by God. However, here the discussion is being done in the post-Islam context and its one of the fundamental pillars of Islam to believe in Muhammad (SAW), His Miracle – The Qur’an – and his wordings – Ahadeeths. It is also Muslim’s Belief that No revelation will come into this world after Him(S.A.W).  So the commandments given by one previous Pious Prophet (A.S) can also be nullified by the Last Prophet (S.A.W) with the order of Allah.
Some common problems,cons and disadvantages of Music are listed below:
- it takes you to fantasy and away from the real world
- it distracts & diverts your attention
- Today’s music and songs promote violence, sex, rape and abusive languages rather than Peace, harmony, love and respect.
- it is non-productive leisure & waste of the time mostly (one do not learn something from Music)
- Listening loud music while driving causes accidents
- Music today, is only being made by Musicians solely to MAKE MONEY and not to bring the positive changes in the society.
- Music & its lyrics are used to promote hidden agendas of different groups, people and schools of thoughts.
Argument no 2 :
Sami yusuf has music in all his naats, how come no one ever criticized that? In fact he’s probably the most famous hamd/naat khwan.
Counter Argument
No-one ever criticized ? Keep your facts straight. Yvonne Ridly – the famous British journalist and activist – who converted to Islam – wrote and criticized Sami Yusuf, please read here:
http://yvonneridley.org/yvonne-ridley/articles/pop-culture-in-the-name-of-islam-4.html
Apart from this, many Muslim scholars have raised questions on “his way of Music”. It should also be noted that Sami Yusuf – a British Nasheed Artist who now lives in Egypt – has no such huge fan following in Pakistan.
There is a lot more to write about and to give heat to this burning and debatable issue, but due to time constraint , we keep that to some other time. We firmly believe that this should be discussed more to disseminate proper knowledge about this serious issue i.e “Music In Islam” as our youth is rapidly attracting towards this new trend (just for fame and money and not for Cause & betterment of society) and without knowing its consequences & demerits.
For those who are defending Music, we respect your views & thoughts and expect the same response from you. Everyone is entitled to express his views, but it should also be cared that your views should not be Offensive & contain abusive,  foul and slang language. Thanks.
