The meaning of ‘singing’ here is void (bāṭil) speech that is articulated in a tune appropriate to gatherings of entertainment and amusement. Similarly, it is not permitted to recite the Qur’an, supplications (duʿāʾs), and the like in such a tune. And based on obligatory precaution, other forms of speech, apart from the ones already mentioned, must not be articulated in such a tune either.
Similarly, listening to singing is unlawful, and taking a fee for singing is also unlawful, and the fee does not become the property of the person who took it. Learning and teaching to sing is also not permitted. Music, i.e. playing instruments that are specially designed for music, is also unlawful if it is in a way that is appropriate to gatherings of entertainment and amusement [and listening to such music is unlawful as well]; other than that, it is not unlawful.
Taking a fee for playing unlawful music is unlawful, and the fee taken does not become the property of the person who took it. Teaching and learning it is also unlawful. [1] See Ruling 2134, case 6. [2] That is, a transaction in which there is no lapse of time between the buyer paying for the item and receiving it. This is in contrast to credit (nasīʾah) and prepayment (salaf) transactions.
[3] As mentioned in Ruling 6, the term ‘problematic’ (maḥall al‑ishkāl) amounts to saying the ruling is based on obligatory precaution. CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SELLER AND THE BUYER DISAPPROVED (MAKRŪH) TRANSACTIONS العربية فارسی اردو English Azərbaycan Türkçe Français