Narrates ‘A’ishah (rta): The Messenger (sws) of God came to my residence while two female singers were singing the songs of Bu‘ath.1 The Holy Prophet (sws) lay down and turned his face to the other side. Meanwhile Abu Bakr (rta) entered and [seeing the singers] rebuked me thus: ‘Satanic musical instruments in the presence of the Holy Prophet (sws)?’ On hearing this God’s Messenger (sws) turned towards him and said: ‘Let them [sing and rejoice]’. When Abu Bakr was engaged in some other business, I signaled to the girls [to go out] and they left. It was on the ‘Id day.2 (Bukhari, No: 907)
We can conclude from this narrative the following points:
• The Mother of the believers, ‘A’ishah (rta), was listening to songs on ‘Id day.
• The songs were being sung in the residence of the Holy Prophet (sws).
• A professional singer was performing.3
• The song was not a hymn to God; rather a relic of a war fought before the advent of Islam.
• The mother of the believers did not stop listening to the song even after the Holy Prophet had arrived.
• The Holy Prophet (sws) did not forbid her from listening to the song.
• He did not stop the female singers either.
• He himself was not attracted to the performance but he must have heard the song as he could hear Abu Bakr’s comments.
• Abu Bakr (rta) condemned the practice at first sight and declared that these were satanic instruments.
• When he tried to stop the singers and censure the listeners, the Holy Prophet (sws) stopped him from doing so.
The report evidently proves that the Holy Prophet (sws) allowed singing music during religious festivals. This is evidenced by the fact that Holy Prophet’s (sws) wife enjoyed singing and music. Although Ab u Bakr (rta) tried to stop the function, the Holy Prophet (sws) did not interfere with it, and let the performers and the audience enjoy themselves. Therefore, in light of this evidence we can conclude that music can justifiably be considered allowable in Islam.
The following narrative also deals with the issue:
Umm-i-Salamah narrates: A slave girl belonging to Hassan Ibn Thabit (rta) came to us on ‘Id al Fitr. Her hair was unkempt and she carried a tambourine and was singing [some song]. Umm-i-Salamah rebuked her. But the Holy Prophet (sws) said to her: ‘Ummi-i-Salamah, let her [sing and rejoice]. Certainly every nation has an ‘Id and this day is our ‘Id’. (Mu‘jam Al-Kabir, No: 558)
We can conclude from this narrative the following points:
• The Mother of the believers, ‘A’ishah (rta), was listening to songs on ‘Id day.
• The songs were being sung in the residence of the Holy Prophet (sws).
• A professional singer was performing.3
• The song was not a hymn to God; rather a relic of a war fought before the advent of Islam.
• The mother of the believers did not stop listening to the song even after the Holy Prophet had arrived.
• The Holy Prophet (sws) did not forbid her from listening to the song.
• He did not stop the female singers either.
• He himself was not attracted to the performance but he must have heard the song as he could hear Abu Bakr’s comments.
• Abu Bakr (rta) condemned the practice at first sight and declared that these were satanic instruments.
• When he tried to stop the singers and censure the listeners, the Holy Prophet (sws) stopped him from doing so.
The report evidently proves that the Holy Prophet (sws) allowed singing music during religious festivals. This is evidenced by the fact that Holy Prophet’s (sws) wife enjoyed singing and music. Although Ab u Bakr (rta) tried to stop the function, the Holy Prophet (sws) did not interfere with it, and let the performers and the audience enjoy themselves. Therefore, in light of this evidence we can conclude that music can justifiably be considered allowable in Islam.
The following narrative also deals with the issue:
Umm-i-Salamah narrates: A slave girl belonging to Hassan Ibn Thabit (rta) came to us on ‘Id al Fitr. Her hair was unkempt and she carried a tambourine and was singing [some song]. Umm-i-Salamah rebuked her. But the Holy Prophet (sws) said to her: ‘Ummi-i-Salamah, let her [sing and rejoice]. Certainly every nation has an ‘Id and this day is our ‘Id’. (Mu‘jam Al-Kabir, No: 558)
