Asc!
What are happening these days are that some of my favourite munasheden (1) such Dawud Wharnsby Ali and Yusuf Islam began to use musical instruments in their anasheeds (2). Yusuf Islam or Cat Stevens was a famous singer before he came to Islam in 60’s and 70’s. Yusuf Islam is number one Islamic-singer or munashed in the English speaking world and many non English-speakings. He is well- known for his songs “A is for Allah “and “Where are you going?”.

Dawud is a talented artist. He converted to Islam in 1993 and he made breakthrough with his album “A Whisper of Peace” followed by “Road to Medina” “The Prophet’s Hands” , my favorurite songs like ‘Don’t talk me about Muhammed and the Veil.


Artist who started his art line with musical-instrument and still is much respected among the Islamic society is the munashed, Sami Yusuf, who uses musical- instrument. Sami Yusuf made his breakthrough with his album ’ Al-Mu’allim’ (3) and special the song ’ Al-Mu’allim’ which is about Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him].

I am very sad that they use musical-instrument, because it keeps me away from listening to their anasheed. But I still think that they are amazing and incredible munasheden, and I do respect them a lot!

There are discusions about music in Islam whether it is ‘harram’ forbidden or not. Inside me, I feel that music is haram, and I should listen to my heart, since the profet salallahu aleihi wasalam said: ”Istafti qalbak” or ”Ask your heart”.

But for you who like to get knowledge and be wiser in that part, here is Kamal Badr’s defi’nition of Music:

The argument of those who oppose music is that
it’s a form of laghw (idle talk). Meaning that it normally distracts believers
from observing religious duties, and it corrupts the mind. So what they are
saying is that a Muslim should not lend his ears to what will distract him from
observing his religious duties and should not listen to what will corrupt his
mind or distort his heart. This is exactly the same condition stipulated by
scholars, who maintain that music is permissible. They never say that a Muslim
should indulge himself or herself to any form of entertainment, which would take
him as far as neglecting his religious duties. Let me cite the renowned
scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in his remarkable statements on the permissibility of music:


      1. Not all sorts of singing are permissible. Rather, the permissible song should comply with the Islamic teachings and ethics. Therefore, the songs praising the tyrants and corrupt rulers collide with Islamic teachings. In fact, Islam stands against transgressors and their allies, and those who show indifference to their transgression. So, the same goes for those songs that imply giving praises to such attitude!
      2. Also, the way the song is performed weighs so much. The theme of the song may be good, but the performance of the singer – through intending excitement and arousing others’ lusts and desires, along with trying to seduce them – may move it to the area of prohibition, suspicion or even detested things. The Glorious Qur’an addresses the wives of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, saying:
      O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (God), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just.
      Surah 33 Verse 32
      So, one has to show caution to music when there is softness of speech accompanied with rhyme, melody, and special effects!
      3. Singing should not be accompanied with something that is prohibited such as alcohol, nakedness, mixing of men with women, like that is common in pubs and nightclubs.
      4. Islam has declared excessiveness prohibited in everything, even in acts of worship. The same goes for excessiveness in leisure and recreation even though these things are permissible! This indicates that the emptiness of mind and heart has to be identified and tackled during man’s short-term life. One should know that Allah Almighty will ask every one of us about his life and his youth in particular, how he spends it.

Read more: Q & A on Islamonline.net

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1) Munashed is arabic word for a person who sings about / for islam
2) anasheed is Arabic and means Islamic-song
3) Al-Mu’allim means teacher in Arabic.

Photo nummber: 1. Yusuf Islam, 2. Dawud Wharnsby, 3. is Sami Yusuf