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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Moral Stories Where Music Leads To Alamgheer was one of the past Moghul kings in India. It is said he was a devout muslim and staunch upholder of Islamic tenets. He banned all luxury items in his kingdom including the listening to music. No one dared do so even privately in his home. Those engaged in musical provision for their earnings, got together to discuss what to do. They decided to take out a procession on the streets of Delhi in protest.

So one day they staged a grand procession taking out a big JANAZA (coffin) and marched on the streets of the capital. They passed in front of the king's palace. They raised their voice as well as the JANAZA to make their amusing protest march conspicuous before the king who was then sitting on the front terrace. The king became curious and wanted to know which eminent personality had died as to be given such a grand funeral.

Some leaders from the procession approached the king and in a lamenting and wailing tone told him that the coffin was in fact that of 'Music'. Since it was strictly banned in the country, they were suffering loss of daily income. On hearing this, the king smiled and said: "Very good!

Dig the grave so deep as to ensure that the dead MUSIC does not rise again for hundreds of years to come." Let us ponder over the reasons why Islam has forbidden the playing, hearing and even the handling of musical instruments. The Islamic philosoply of life dictates that this worldly life is transtional and a quick passing one, whereas the life hereafter is eternal and more important.

Therefore Islam has forbidden those things which distract our attention from this fact and which lead us towards loose character and overlooking of the moral duties of our life. A number of these forbidden things in Islam are not only morally but physically and mentally harmful as proved by a number of modern scientists. Professor Horst Hecheck of Vienna reports: "The disharmonies of modern music freguently cause severe psychological and physical damage to musicians.

Doctors and music experts say complaints range from nervousness, depression and headaches to ulcers and impotence" The toxic effect of the musical sound cannot be denied. Some years before, it was reported in a local newspaper in Daressalaam that a pregnant Hindu woman was much mentally engrossed in listening to a moving musical program in a cinema that she delivered a baby on the spot without realizing what was happening.