Listening to English Islamic nasheeds

Q:

1. Are English Islamic nasheeds permissible?

2. If there are no musical instruments used but rather the "mouth" is used to imitate the musical instruments. Is this permissible?

A:

1. If any of the following elements are found then it will not be permissible:

a. The song (nasheed) is rendered only for entertainment whether for oneself or for others.
b. It is accompanied by musical instruments like flutes and drums.
c. The song creates such a level of heedlessness that it leads to the abandoning of one’s shar`ee duties or causes one to get involved in haraam.
d. The person singing is such that one cannot listen to e.g. a female or amrad (young boy with girlish features) singing to a male audience.
e. The person singing has made this his profession.

2. Imitating musical instruments is also impermissible.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)