Ruling on working in an Islamic nasheed group

Q) I have been offered a job in an Islamic nasheed group (performing at weddings and so on). What should I do? I am desperately in need of work.

A) Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible to work in an Islamic nasheed group, if the work is free of anything that is contrary to sharee’ah and adheres to the following guidelines:

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The anaasheed should be performed in front of men only; it is not permissible to perform in the presence of women, because of the prohibition on mixing, and because of the evil and corruption to which that may lead.

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The songs should contain permissible words only, free from any shameless or licentious content.

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The anaasheed should not be accompanied by any musical instruments or tablah drums or daffs, because of the prohibition on using musical instruments and the prohibition on using the daff for men, according to the more correct opinion. See question no. 5000, 5011, 20406 and 9290.

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The anaasheed should not be accompanied by any sound effects that resemble musical instruments, whether they are done on the computer or otherwise.

Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There may be another sin involved in that [i.e., nasheeds], which is that they may be performed in the manner of immoral songs and performed according to the rules of eastern or western music which makes the listeners enjoy it and makes them dance and behave in a foolish manner. So the aim becomes the tune and the enjoyment thereof, and not nasheed per se. This is a new error, and it is an imitation of the kuffaar and immoral people. That may lead to a further error, which is imitating them in turning away from the Qur’aan and forsaking it, and being included in the general meaning of the complaint of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will say: ‘O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’aan (neither listened to it nor acted on its laws and teachings)’” [al-Furqaan 25:30]. End quote from Tahreem Alaat al-Tarb (p. 181).

It is well known that Islam forbids listening to musical instruments because of the effect that musical instruments have on the heart, which may be affected by hypocrisy and forsaking the word of Allaah, so that it finds no pleasure except in these songs. It is well known that some of these sound effects have a worse effect than musical instruments, and their effect on the listener, even if it is no greater than the effect of musical instruments, is no less either. It is impossible that Islam would forbid anything because of its corrupting effects then permit something that is similar to it or worse than it.

If the sound effects have a sound that is similar to that of musical instruments, then the ruling on them is the same as the ruling on musical instruments, i.e., they are haraam.

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Pictures of the munshids (“singers”) should not be put on the covers of their tapes, in an imitation of the evildoing of pop singers.

See the answer to question no. 91142.

If the work of this group is free of these haraam issues, then there is nothing wrong with you working with them.

You should remember that there are many ways of earning provision, but the matter needs effort and hard work. Seek the help of Allaah and do not feel helpless, and do not let the desire to hasten provision make you seek it by disobeying Allaah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Holy Spirit (Jibreel) has inspired to me that no soul will die until it has completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear Allaah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you should be temped to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow in coming to him, for that which is with Allaah can only be attained by obeying Him.” Narrated by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 2085.

We ask Allaah to make things easy for you and to bless you with good provision.

And Allaah knows best.


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