Music in Islamic Law

In this module we will explore the subject of singing, music and musical instruments in Islam to help young Muslims navigate the issue better. The lessons will cover the history of how music as a discipline entered the Muslim world, and in particular focus on the discourse that occurred in the Abbasid era over singing and music as reflected in the Shi’i hadith tradition. A number of narrations condemning singing and music will be analyzed and opinions of scholars who contributed in this area in the Islamic civilization will be summarized. Opinions of a few contemporary jurists will be explained and certain examples will be used as case studies to determine if and how the criterion for impermissibility applies to them.