Is It Haram to Listen to Music While Studying? Must Read Article
C.J Ahmed-03.04.2023
Listening to music or studying are two different worldy activities and one is for relaxation and enjoyment and the other is related to education. As far as Islam is concerned there is nothing wrong in listening to music while studying or engaging in any other worldy activity.
There is much debate on the subject of music in Islam
Allah (swt) says in the Quran:
“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk (Lahw Al-Hadith) to mislead from the path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery"
(Al Quran-31:6)
The word "Lahw al hadith" which means idle talk is interpreted to mean that music is a form of idle talk. The word "Lahw al hadith" is given various interpretation by various scholars but those who are against music will only find the interpretation of one scholar because it is more convenient to them. In Tafsir ibn Kathir two scholars gave two varying interpretations They are,
Ibn Masud-"This -- by Allah -- refers to singing.''
Qatadah- "By Allah, he may not spend money on it, but his purchasing it means he likes it, and the more misguided he is, the more he likes it and the more he prefers falsehood to the truth and harmful things over beneficial things.''
If you look above, the interpretations of this verse is differing from one scholar to another. Further in tafsir ibn kathir the above verse from the word "Lahu Al-Hadith"(idle talk) was interpreted by ibn Abbas (rali) as singing. What is meant from this verse is that Allah rebukes those who engage in idle talk as mockery and this is what is apparently mentioned. It is the intention that matters and giving blanket fatwas stating that music is haram is only done by those who are foolish and dogmatic. If music is haram, then the prophet(sal) would not have listened to singing as recorded in various authentic narrations which I have mentioned below in this article to prove why music is halal in Islam.
It was narrated that Aisha (Rali) said: “Abu Bakr (Rali) entered upon me and there were two of the young girls of the Ansar with me who were singing the verses that the Ansar had recited on the day of Bu’ath.”She said: “But they were known to be singers. “Abu Bakr (RA) said: “Wind instruments of the shaitan in the house of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)? That was the day of Eid. Allah’s Messenger (Sal) said: “O Abu Bakr! Every people have their Eid and this is our Eid. “In another narration it is said that Allah’s Messenger (Sal) said: “Let them be O’ Abu Bakr, for these are the days of Eid.”
(Narrated in Sahih Muslim)
The above hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim clearly debunks this argument. This very hadith proves that you can play any musical instrument including wind instruments and the prophet (sal) listened to them.
Listening to music or studying are two different worldy activities and one is for relaxation and enjoyment and the other is related to education. As far as Islam is concerned there is nothing wrong in listening to music while studying or engaging in any other worldy activity.
There is much debate on the subject of music in Islam
Allah (swt) says in the Quran:
“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk (Lahw Al-Hadith) to mislead from the path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery"
(Al Quran-31:6)
The word "Lahw al hadith" which means idle talk is interpreted to mean that music is a form of idle talk. The word "Lahw al hadith" is given various interpretation by various scholars but those who are against music will only find the interpretation of one scholar because it is more convenient to them. In Tafsir ibn Kathir two scholars gave two varying interpretations They are,
Ibn Masud-"This -- by Allah -- refers to singing.''
Qatadah- "By Allah, he may not spend money on it, but his purchasing it means he likes it, and the more misguided he is, the more he likes it and the more he prefers falsehood to the truth and harmful things over beneficial things.''
If you look above, the interpretations of this verse is differing from one scholar to another. Further in tafsir ibn kathir the above verse from the word "Lahu Al-Hadith"(idle talk) was interpreted by ibn Abbas (rali) as singing. What is meant from this verse is that Allah rebukes those who engage in idle talk as mockery and this is what is apparently mentioned. It is the intention that matters and giving blanket fatwas stating that music is haram is only done by those who are foolish and dogmatic. If music is haram, then the prophet(sal) would not have listened to singing as recorded in various authentic narrations which I have mentioned below in this article to prove why music is halal in Islam.
It was narrated that Aisha (Rali) said: “Abu Bakr (Rali) entered upon me and there were two of the young girls of the Ansar with me who were singing the verses that the Ansar had recited on the day of Bu’ath.”She said: “But they were known to be singers. “Abu Bakr (RA) said: “Wind instruments of the shaitan in the house of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)? That was the day of Eid. Allah’s Messenger (Sal) said: “O Abu Bakr! Every people have their Eid and this is our Eid. “In another narration it is said that Allah’s Messenger (Sal) said: “Let them be O’ Abu Bakr, for these are the days of Eid.”
(Narrated in Sahih Muslim)
The above hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim clearly debunks this argument. This very hadith proves that you can play any musical instrument including wind instruments and the prophet (sal) listened to them.