1- Clarification of the meaning of music (in fiqhi terms):

“Music” is originally a Greek word which is synonymous to “Ghina” in dictionaries, but in fiqhi terms, there is a difference between the two. Ghina refers to the singing voice in which comes from the larynx and is turned up and down in the throat [like the chirping of birds] that somewhat ecstasizes the listener and brings him joy and is suitable for gatherings of amusement and vanity. As for music, it refers to the sound made by musical instruments. On this basis, it is correct to say that not all things considered music scientifically are considered music according to fiqh.[1]

2- The reason for the impermissibility of music and ghina:

After studying Quranic verses, hadiths and the observations of psychologists, the following can be considered the reasons for why music (some types) and ghina are haram:

a) They lead to moral corruption:

In a hadith by the prophet (pbuh), he is narrated saying: “Ghina is the ladder to adultery.”[2] Experience shows that many have left taqwa for corruption as a result of listening to ghina. Gatherings in which ghina plays a role in are usually centers of corruption.[3]

b) They deprive one of the remembrance of Allah (swt):

The Quran says: “Among the people is he who buys Lahwal-Hadith that he may lead [people] astray from Allah's way without any knowledge, and he takes it in derision. For such there is a belittling punishment”[4]. This verse looks at Lahwal-hadith as one of the means of straying from the path of Allah (swt). Lahw refers to anything that makes one busy to the extent that it disallows him from engaging in more important affairs and according to hadiths, this term is said to refer to ghina in the verse.[5]

c) Their negative impacts on the mind and nerves:

Taking a look at the biographies of famous musicians shows us that many of them suffered from mental problems and eventually had nervous breakdowns. Some had mental illnesses while others lost their mind completely. Some became paralyzed while others had strokes while playing music as a result of high blood pressures.[6]

d) Music is one of the expansionists’ tools:

Expansionists have always been wary and afraid of the alertness of the people, especially the youth of society. This is why one of their many strategies for the success of their sinister plans and continuation of their rule is to distract and keep them busy through spiritually unhealthy entertainment and amusement. Making centers for corruption, bars and clubs for gambling, etc., and investing in music and ghina, are some of the most important policies they have undertaken in order to keep the people busy and possess their minds.[7]

3- The reasons stated above are only some of the reasons that we have come up with and cannot be considered the sole reason for their impermissibility, therefore, even in the case of music and ghina having none of these negative impacts on a person, they will still be haram (if all other conditions of their impermissibility are met).

4- The main reason behind why ghina and certain music is haram, are Quranic verses and hadiths by the prophet (pbuh) and imams that are analyzed in fiqh. This short article doesn’t bear the capacity for jurisprudential discussions, but what we can say in brief is:

a) Although Quranic verses don’t directly mention the ruling on ghina and like many other rulings, only speak about it generally, nevertheless, there are some verses that when combined with the prophet and imam’s interpretations, apply to ghina. Some of those verses are as follows:

i) Regarding the verses “Those who do not give false testimony, and when they come upon vain talk, pass by nobly”[8] and “So avoid the abomination of idols, and avoid false speech”[9], Imam Sadiq (as) says: “What is meant are gatherings of amusement and vanity and ghina”.[10]

ii) Regarding the verse “And those who avoid vain talk”[11]the imam (as) says: “What is meant by “vain” in this verse is ghina and malahi.”[12]

iii) Regarding the verse “Among the people is he who buys vain talk that he may lead [people] astray from Allah's way without any knowledge, and he takes it in derision. For such there is a humiliating punishment”[13], Imams Baqir (as) and Sadiq (as) say: “What is meant by “vain” is ghina.”[14]

It must be noted that although these hadiths interpret vain as ghina, there are other hadiths that apply these verses to music as well[15] and Islamic jurists have also applied them to music.[16]

b) The main reason for the impermissibility of music and ghina are the hadiths that directly and explicitly state it. Here are a few:

Imam Baqir (as): “Ghina is something that Allah (swt) has made Hell the punishment of.”[17]

Imam Sadiq (as): “Refrain from and avoid ghina.”[18]

c) There are also hadiths regarding the impermissibility of music:

Imam Sadiq (as): “Musical instruments are from Sheytan; so everything of this type in the world is from him.”[19]

The prophet (pbuh): “I forbid you to use mizmar and kubat (musical instruments).”[20]

d) Since ghina literally refers to the stretching of the voice and any form of singing[21], as Sheikh Ansari puts it: “Clearly none of these things (stretching of the voice and any form of singing) are absolutely haram.[22] (It is clear that when hadiths say that ghina is haram, they don’t mean the word’s literal meaning, because in that case, all forms of singing will become haram, which is surely not true, rather they are referring to a certain genre of the word’s meaning). This is why Islamic jurists have added that the singing be lahwi for it to be haram.[23] As they define it, the term ‘lahw’ means to forget Allah (swt) and be distracted of His remembrance and falling into corruption[24], thus making haram ghina or singing, one that is suitable to be employed in gatherings of amusement, vanity, corruption and entertainment.[25]

Some faqihs have added another condition as well, and that is for the ghina to be ‘mutrib’ (which derives from ‘tarab’).[26] ‘Tarab’ means for the head to become ‘light’, and this is caused by listening to music or singing and takes a person out of his/her normal state. All of what was said above about ghina applies to music as well; some jurists have added the condition of being ‘lahwi’ while others add the other condition of ‘tarab’.[27]

One final point: As was stressed before, precise analysis of these discussions is the responsibility of fiqh and those who don’t possess the expertise (ijtihad) to do so must practice taqlid and follow those who possess it.