A similar kind of verse appears in Surah Al-Mum’inūn...

A similar kind of verse appears in Surah Al-Mum’inūn, as well: “And who keep aloof from what is vain.” (Surah Al-Mum’inūn 23:3) Both the above verses describe the qualities of a believer. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and later Imam Riďa (a.s.), have both explained the term “vain words” as follows: “Vain words imply music and singing and the true worshipers of Allah refrain from these.” ^2 5.

Singing and hypocrisy The sixth Holy Imam, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Listening to music, songs and useless words cultivate hypocrisy in the heart, in the same way as algae grows in water.” ^3 The same book, al-Kāfi mentions a tradition of Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) that, “Singing and music is a nest for the bird called hypocrisy.” 6.Singing programme The venue of a singing programme is a place where descends divine retribution.

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says: “Do not even enter houses, the inhabitants of which are deprived of divine mercy.” He (a.s.) is reported to have also said, “The house where music is played is not safe from sudden disasters. Supplications at such a place are not answered. Angels do not enter this place.”[^4] It has been established in the preceding chapter that when the divine punishment descends, it does not discriminate.

The excuse, “Though we go to places where there is music and song, but we dislike it in our hearts”, seems unlikely to be acceptable. Dislike needs to be expressed by ones action, also. Songs and music should be discouraged. 7. Singing causes poverty Amir ul-Mu’minīn ‘Ali (a.s.) says, “Singing creates hypocrisy and causes poverty.”[^5] 8.

Punishment for Singing The Holy Prophet (S) has explicitly stated, “When the singer shall rise from his grave on the Day of Judgement, he will be blind, deaf and dumb.” ^6 The traditions also state that the singer will be recognised by these very signs, i.e., blindness, deafness etc.

In another tradition Holy Prophet (S) is quoted to have said: “Molten lead shall be poured into the ears of one who listens to songs, intently.”[^7] Deprived of Divine Mercy Qutub al-Rawandi has recorded from the Holy Prophet (S), “The singer is from that group of people, who would not be looked upon with mercy by Allah on the Day of judgement.” A fan of a singer Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says: “One who respects a speaker, becomes his slave.