Listening to the Duff

Regarding music, the jurists have written that all forms of music are Haraam to such an extent that, if one produces a musical song by hitting a stick, then this too is impermissible.

Abdul Hay Al Hasani writes, “It is well known that in the four schools of thought Mazameer (wind instruments), Awtaar (stringed instruments), Kubah (drums) are all prohibited, thus playing with them or listening to them is Haraam according to all four Mazahib.” This covers almost all musical instruments, since based on the method of producing sound, musical instruments fall into 3 categories, wind instruments, stringed and percussion instruments (musical instruments hit by hand / stick) like the drum. There is consensus that all stand- alone musical instruments (i.e. instruments that can be used for entertainment by themselves in the absence of singing are Haraam. This also includes the Duff that contains rattles.

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Listening to music is disobedience of Allah Ta’ala, sitting in gatherings of music is Fisq (transgressing laws of Shariah) and taking enjoyment from music is Kufr.”