Music & Art
The Quran does not prohibit music, art, or other forms of entertainment as long as they remain moral and do not promote indecency or lead people away from Allah’s guidance.
The scholar’s interpretation of the term "theatrics" in 31:6 is incorrect and not supported by the Arabic text.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِى لَهْوَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍۢ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ
Wa mina al-nāsi man yashtarī lahwa al-hadīthi li-yuḍilla ʿan sabīli Allāhi bi-ghayri ʿilmin wa-yattakhidhahā huzuwan; ulāʾika lahum ʿadhābun muhīn.
And among the people is he who trades in frivolous hadith and thus leads others away from the path of God without knowledge, and he makes a mockery of it. Those will have a humiliating punishment.
(31:6)
Meaning of "Lahw al-Hadīth"
The term lahw al-hadīth translates to idle, frivolous, or baseless talk. It refers to speech or activities that are:
- Harmful, misleading, or without substance.
- Used to mock or distract people from God’s way.
This does not equate to music, art, or theater by default. Associating lahw al-hadīth with all forms of music or entertai
The Quran Does Not Prohibit Music or Art
There is no explicit or implicit prohibition of music or art in the Quran. Prohibitions in Islam must come directly from Allah. Declaring music or art harām without Quranic evidence constitutes fabricating lies against God, which the Quran condemns:
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَـٰذَا حَلَـٰلٌۭ وَهَـٰذَا حَرَامٌۭ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
Wa-lā taqūlū limā tasifu alsinatukum al-kadhiba hādhā ḥalālun wa-hādhā ḥarāmun li-taftaru ʿalā Allāhi al-kadhiba; inna alladhīna yaftarūna ʿalā Allāhi al-kadhiba lā yuf'liḥūn.
Do not utter lies that are portrayed by your tongues: "This is lawful, and that is unlawful," to fabricate lies and attribute them to God. Those who fabricate lies and attribute them to God will not succeed.
(16:116)
Music and Art: A Blessing if Used Properly
The Quran repeatedly mentions the beauty and blessings God has created for humanity. Music, art, and entertainment can be part of those blessings if they inspire goodness, gratitude, and moral values.
David’s Psalms (Zabūr)
Prophet David (Dāwūd) was known for his beautiful voice and recitation. God gifted him the ability to glorify Him with songs and melodies:
وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۚ
Wa sakhkharna maʿa Dāwūda al-jibāla yusabbiḥna wa-al-ṭayra.
We subjected the mountains to glorify with him in the evening and at sunrise.
(38:18)
Adornment and Enjoyment
قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ مِنَ ٱلرِّزْقِ
Qul man ḥarrama zīnata Allāhi allatī akhraja li-ʿibādihi wa-l-ṭayyibāti mina al-rizqi.
Say, "Who prohibited the zinat of God which He has produced for His servants and the good provisions?"
(7:32)
This verse confirms that no one has the authority to forbid blessings that God has made lawful.
Proper Use of Music and Art
Music and art are not harām by nature but depend on how they are used. If they:
- Promote immorality or distractions from God, they are discouraged.
- Encourage positive emotions, reflection, or gratitude, they align with Quranic principles.
The deciding factor is intention and content, not the medium itself.
Conclusion
- No Quranic Basis for Declaring Music Harām: The Quran does not prohibit music or art. Claims against them are fabrications and misinterpretations.
- Meaning of 31:6: The verse addresses frivolous talk (lahw al-hadīth) and does not mention music or art.
- Beware of False Prohibitions: Declaring something harām without Quranic evidence is a sin (16:116).
- Celebrate God’s Blessings: Music and art, when used positively and morally, are among the many blessings of God’s creation.