Singing and dancing - The Islamic perspective

Today Muslims consider song and dance to be an integral part of their functions.  Especially on the occasions of marriage, song and dance has become the custom.  Muslims’ zeal about their faith and their sense of honor have abated so much that one shirks from the obligatory duties of Islam like Zakaat and Hajj, but spends money like anything in useless and prohibited acts.  Is it Islamic to sing and dance and organize such events on the occasion of marriage?  Is it permissible to invite orchestras and songstresses and rend the chador of modesty thereby?  Is it the mark of Muslims to disturb others by drinking wine and exploding crackers?   This cannot be the customs of Muslims.  These cannot be the mark of the believers.  The demand of the Islamic faith that Muslims should avoid such un-Islamic acts and events in their functions and refrain from all blameworthy attributes in all walks of life.   There is a Hadith in Imam Baihaqui’s Shu’ab Ul Iman about singing:   Translation:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Singing and using musical instruments cultivates hypocrisy in the heart, the way water cultivates crops.  (Shu’ab Ul Iman, Al Ghinau Yumbitun Nifaqa Fil Qalb, Hadith No. 4889)   When one indulges in singing even after its prohibition, it is a sign of hypocrisy in this person.  The result of this is that there is no taste in worship and no pleasure in remembrance of Allah.   Devils dance on the shoulders of those who sing and dance as given in “Tafseerat Ahmadiya” Pg. No. 400:   Translation:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever raises voice in singing, Almighty Allah imposes 2 devils on that person, one on one shoulder and the other on the other and they keep kicking this person dancing until he becomes silent.   All this when this person is the cream of all creation (i.e. a human being).  Moreover, this person believes in Almighty Allah whose open enemy is Satan, the accursed.  He/she accepts the faith which Satan tries to stop from.  Mercy has been promised for the believers whereas eternal condemnation is the lot of the devil.  Is this sanity that a Muslim sings and 2 devils kick him?   It is in Durre Mukhtaar, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 542:   Translation:  All kinds of useless things are Haraam (forbidden).   Singing and dancing – Whither the elders?   When the children do something wrong, the elders correct them.  But nowadays the situation is such that when the youngsters are busy in singing and dancing, the elders instead of restraining them show their appreciation by raining money on them.  This most condemnable custom ought to be changed.   Marriage is sacred.  It is a kind of worship as well.  That’s the reason a sermon has been decreed during it.  Decreeing a sermon in marriage demands that it be respected, that it creates fear and consciousness of Almighty Allah in our hearts and the life after marriage is spent with piety and devotion.  It is the responsibility of Muslims that singing, dancing and all such un-Islamic customs should be removed from marriage celebrations.   Islam is a religion of culture and refinement which instructs every Muslims to remain dignified and modest.  Thus, all our functions and celebrations should be free of sins and in accordance with the Sunnah.   Singing and dancing in functions of schools and colleges   In schools and college where the next generation acquires education, an annual function is held by the management of the school.  On occasions of Independence Day, Republic Day, functions take place.  Teachers make the students practice singing and dancing.  Those hallowed portals from where high morals and character had to be disseminated, if they themselves become centers of teaching sin, then what can be expected from them?   Students of schools and colleges are allowed to celebrate various special days like Teacher’s Day, Student’s Day, Fresher’s Day, Farewell day, etc.    We should really think about this.  Innocent students are in effect pleading before one and all that they should be spared from this oppression.   The management of the schools and college should organize functions which are free of song and dance and other indecencies.  If song and dance is included in some celebration, then parents and guardians shouldn’t attend it.   This way, the management and administration of the schools also will be reformed.  There is no harm in attending shows, demonstrations wherein there are no indecencies, song, dance, etc.  Instead, the parents/guardians should make it a point to attend such programs as their attendance and participation in such programs will encourage students all the more.

Dr. Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri

Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia; Founder - Director

Mufti Maulana Syed Zia Uddin Naqshbandi Quadri

Shaik-ul-Fiqh - Jamia Nizamia

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Singing and dancing - The Islamic perspective