The Qur’an does not prohibit music. Music was an integral part of Arab society for centuries before Islam and was explicitly permitted by the Prophet Muhammad.

Prophets Muhammad, peace be upon him, and David are found playing musical instruments in the Bible. While many conservative Muslims today will not listen to music, Islamic scholars agree that there is no basis for this prohibition in the Qur’an or the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

The Qur’an states that music is a means of allurement (al-nabt) and enjoyment. It does not say that it is forbidden in Islam. Musicians are allowed to play during sacred occasions such as the Eid celebrations and naats to honor the Prophet’s peace upon him.

Some choose to play Sufi music which focuses on love, beauty, peace, and spiritual enlightenment. Others focus on Medieval and early Renaissance-era music, especially with regard to vocal harmony and melody.

The Definition Of The Psalm Or Psalms

Psalms (also called Psalms of David or Book of Psalms) is a book in the third section of the Jewish Tanakh. In traditional Jewish and Christian belief, it is the first book of Psalms contained in the second section of their bibles (called the “Writings” by Christians).

The title is derived from the Greek translation, ψαλμοί psalm (“songs sung to stringed instruments”), though this was rendered as ψαλτήριον psalterium in early manuscripts. The Psalms are a collection of 150 hymns, songs, and prayers that form one of its oldest canonical books.

The Hebrew word for Psalm is teil. The Arabic word used to translate it is either sūra or suhūr. Some of the beliefs associated with Psalm are: It, in general, accepts the validity of the literal understanding of the text.

It does not, in general, take the allegorical interpretation of the text but does accept an allegorical interpretation when a clear meaning can be found from allusions to other Biblical texts.

Another belief regarding Psalms is that they are all part of a continuous whole. This suggests that they have been written over many centuries and not by one author or group of authors.

Does This Mean That Muslims Must Play Music While We Pray?

Muslim prayer is a communal activity meaning that congregational prayer is obligatory (al-taklif) for Muslims. Within the mosque, there are “ayat” (verses) recited or read from the Qur’an. The recitation of verses from the Qur’an, or other words of God addressed to the believers, is called athar.

Muslim scholars refute that a person must make music when they pray. The Qur’an states:

“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” Quran, Surah Ali ‘Imran 03:08. It is only one small part of a much larger prayer ritual.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, explicitly banned music during his lifetime. He said: “Whoever plays musical instruments in prayer will be cursed by Allah.” Some later scholars reinterpreted this to mean that he did not prohibit instruments used solely for entertainment but rather prohibited any musical instruments during prayer.

Did Allah Almighty Or Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him Prohibit Music?

Music was an integral part of Arab society for centuries before Islam and was explicitly permitted by the Prophet Muhammad.

There is no evidence providing a prohibition of music. The Qur’an does not prohibit music. The Prophet, peace be upon him, allowed music. In the Holy Qur’an, there is no specific mention of music being prohibited. The word for music in the Qur’anic text is al-nabt (النبط ). This word can be translated as “music” and “song.” 

For example, one translation reads: “They have taken their priests and rabbis as lords besides God, though they have been commanded to worship none but the One God. There is no deity except Him. All sovereignty belongs to Him, and to Him alone is worship due.

Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, Allowed Music

Prophet Muhammad peace to be upon him, allowed music. The majority of scholars say that there is no textual basis for saying that music of itself is prohibited. Still, rather it is the context in which it takes place that can make something halal or haram (permissible or prohibitive).

There are many hadiths in which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is found playing musical instruments in the Bible. While many conservative Muslims today will not listen to music, Islamic scholars agree that there is no basis for this prohibition.

The Bottom Line

Music was an integral part of Arab society for centuries before Islam and was explicitly permitted by the Prophet Muhammad. The majority of scholars say that there is no textual basis for saying that music of itself is prohibited.

Still, rather, it is the context in which it takes place that can make something halal or haram (permissible or prohibitive). Muslims are allowed to play music to enjoy and worship God, and Prophet Muhammad’s peace is upon him.