Who doesn’t know Dr Zakir Naik? Yes, he is a public speaker for Indian Muslims, and author of articles on Islam and comparative religion. By profession, he is a medical doctor, having earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from Maharashtra, but since 1991 he has been a scholar involved in Islamic preaching and comparative religion. He stated that his goal was to revive the important foundations of Islam that most young Muslims are either not aware of or have little understanding of in the context of modernity.
This well-known Muslim figure has received a prestigious award from the Saudi Arabian government for his services to Islam. The award was immediately given by King Salman at an event at a star hotel in Riyadh. The King Faisal International Prize (KFIP) awards outstanding works from individuals and institutions in five categories namely Islamic Da’wah, Islamic Studies, Arabic Language and Literature, Medicine and Science.
In an event broadcast by Peace Tv, DR Zakir Naik answered questions that have been bothering and confusing the Muslim community about the legality of music in Islam based on the Koran and Hadith. In fact, not a few who use music as a means or medium of propaganda.
The following is a conversation from the Peace Tv television broadcast:
Master of Ceremony:
“Regarding the law of music, many Muslims allow music. Can you discuss how Prophet Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam explained about music?”
Dr. Zakir Naik:
There are many opinions about the law about music, whether it is allowed or not. In the Qur’an there is no verse that strictly forbids music, but there are hints.
Allah Subhanau Wa Ta’la says in Surat Lukman [31] verse 6:
“And among the people (there are) people who use useless words to mislead (people) from the path of God without knowledge and make the path of God a mockery. They will have a humiliating punishment.”
Based on this verse, many commentators, including the interpretation of Ibn Mas’ud’s friend, say that this useless word (Lahwal hadith) means singing and musical instruments.
Regarding the prohibition of the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, regarding music, we can find it in several hadiths. If it is clear that there is a prohibition from the Messenger of Allah, then there is no doubt about its prohibition.
The Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Indeed there will be among my ummah a group of people who justify adultery, silk, intoxicants and musical instruments.” (Sahih Al Bukhari volume 7 Book of Drinks Hadith 5590)
This hadith mentions that someday there will be lawful things. And we already know that khamr is haram, we already know adultery is haram. Because musical instruments are mentioned together with these forbidden things, it means that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alahi wa sallam forbade them.
But there are some people who still allow it, we know there are some contemporary scholars who allow it. This hadith clearly says that musical instruments are forbidden.
But there are other authentic hadiths that allow certain musical instruments, namely the duff (tambourine).
When the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam attended a wedding, he came and gathered with his companions. Then came two little girls playing the tambourine. They mentioned the goodness of the companions who had died on the field of jihad (in the battle of Badr), when one of them praised the Prophet (saying that the Messenger of God knows about tomorrow) the Messenger of God said: “Leave that speech, just say what you said earlier.” (Sahih Al Bukhari volume 5 Book of Maghaazi Hadith 4001)
In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, did not prohibit them from playing the tambourine.
In another hadith (Sahih Al Bukhari volume 2 Book of ‘Eidain Hadith 987), reported by ‘Aishah radhiallaahu anha, Aishah said:
“There are two daughters who play the tambourine while singing. When Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, saw him, he told them to stop. The Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, said to Abu Bakr: “Let them do it, because indeed this is a holiday.”
In another hadith (Sahih Al Tirmidhi Book of Manaaqib Hadith 3690):
There was someone who said to the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace: “I have made a vow to God, if you (the Messenger of God) return safely, I promise to play the tambourine.” The Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, replied: “If you have vowed then do it, if not then don’t do it.”
From all these hadiths it indicates that musical instruments are generally forbidden, except tambourines, so the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam allowed them in certain situations.
Shaykh Utsaimin said: Beating duff on the days of the wedding reception is permissible or sunnah, if it is done in the context of I’lanunnikah (broadcasting a wedding).
Beating the duff in question is an instrument known as a tambourine, which is one that is covered with only one part, because the one that is covered with two parts (holes) is called a thablu (drum). This one is not permissible, because it is classified as a musical instrument, while all musical instruments are unlawful, unless there is an argument that excludes it, which is like tambourines for weddings.
(Al-Fatawa ASy-Syar’iyyah Fi Al-Masa’il Al-Ashriyyah Min Fatawa Ulama Al-Balad Al-Haram)
Via Abumushab Depangerbangalirsyad
(nahimunkar.com)