The sin of listening to music and the evil consequences

Q: Is there any hadith in which Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that if a person dies while listening music then don't go to his or her funeral?

Also send me the authentic hadith reference if it exists.

A: Music is prohibited in Islam. The prohibition of music is established through many authentic Ahaadith. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I was sent to destroy all musical instruments”.

In the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala says:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَـئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ

“And from among the people there are those who purchase things of amusement so that they may mislead (men) from the path of Allah and make a mockery of it. For such people there is a disgraceful punishment.”

It is reported in a narration of Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood, Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas and Hazrat Jaabir (Radiallahu Anhum) that the word لهو الحديث “things of amusement” mentioned in the verse refers to music and musical instruments.

In one Hadith, Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “There will be a group in my ummat who will regard zinaa (fornication), the use of silk (for men), consuming liquor and the use of musical instruments as permissible. The divine punishment of Allah Ta’ala will rain upon them from the skies, which will transform them into apes and swines."

From the above Ahaadith, one understands the severity of getting involved in the sin of music and the evil consequences that will follow in this world and the next. Hence, a believer should refrain from the company of people who are involved in the sin of listening to music.

However, we have not come across any hadith stating if a person dies while listening to music, then you should not attend his/her funeral.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)