Is music and musical instruments Haram? This is a question that sparks much debate within the Muslim community to this day. Indeed, several events have taken place concerning certain instruments, which raise many questions among practitioners. Here, we discuss the piano: is it forbidden by Islam? Find the answers by browsing our guide.
The piano: Is it Haram or not?
According to Islamic teachings, playing or even learning the piano is haram. Whether you are alone at home or with others, playing this instrument is haram. But why this prohibition?
As declared by the prophet Muhammad, the use of all musical instruments (including the piano) in Islam is Haram. And as it is said, listening to instrumental music stimulates negative emotions and distracts practitioners from the worship of Allah. Moreover, some Muslim scholars believe that playing a musical instrument is a display of ostentation and therefore haram.
Subject of debate to this day
The debate concerning music or even musical instruments is still heard in the Muslim world. Indeed, the spread of fundamentalist thinking among the public has sparked certain scandals, such as the dismantling of instruments by Daesh or the Taliban. For instance, one can mention the Bataclan attack and its music during the “celebration of depravity” in the Daesh claim. Today, this critical current contributes to the construction of a collective fundamentalist unity.
In the Sunni world, music is subjected to prohibitions whether for religious music or secular music, which is also one of the reasons why people wonder if it is Haram or Halal to celebrate the New Year. Muslims consider musical instruments as an anti-religious art. As a result, instruments are not used within the framework of Sunni religious music.
This debate still stands today; moreover, some music takes on dimensions of a criterion of religious affiliation for certain European Muslims. It can also be used for missionary purposes.
Which music is forbidden in Islam?
As mentioned in the preamble, the majority of Muslims, particularly Sunnis, prohibit certain musical instruments. However, some music, such as singing for example, can be excluded from the prohibition, according to Imam Mohammed Hassan: “Singing is a word as long as it is not accompanied by instruments for entertainment and music.”
According to Luis Velasco-Pufleau, quoting a Wahhabi imam:
“Regarding music, there is much evidence showing that it is haram. But today, Al-Hamdoulillah, we no longer need music even at weddings, thanks to anasheed. In the anasheed, voices have replaced the instruments that are haram, including: the piano or the flute. You no longer need musical instruments, since there are also many sounds you can make with your computer.”
For Sunnis, this music is not music in the Western sense of the term, but a mode of enunciation of the word. They are only permitted during the call to prayer, the cantillation of the Quran, and hamd, nasheeds, and na’t.
