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The Sin of Supporting Music

Have you ever stopped to consider the implications of engaging with content that contains musical instruments? Many Muslims unwittingly support this haram act through their online activities.

Allāh subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā says:

مَّن يَشۡفَعۡ شَفَٰعَةً حَسَنَةٗ يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٞ مِّنۡهَاۖ وَمَن يَشۡفَعۡ شَفَٰعَةٗ سَيِّئَةٗ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كِفۡلٞ مِّنۡهَاۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ مُّقِيتٗا.

"Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share of its reward, and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in its burden." Surah An-Nisā’ (4:85)

This verse teaches that if someone supports or promotes a good cause, they will share in its reward. But if they promote or support something evil, even indirectly, they will bear a portion of its sin.

On the authority of Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” Narrated by Muslim.

We can deduce from this hadith that forbidding evil actions is an obligation upon every Muslim without exception, and neglecting this duty attracts negative consequences.

Now that we know correcting evil acts is an obligation, and using musical instruments is one of those evil acts, then based on this hadith, one should correct it with his hand if he has the ability. A good example of this is cutting off all means that assist him or her in using these musical instruments.

If he is unable to do that, then he should correct it with his tongue, for example, by scolding the person, advising him, or enlightening him about the consequences of such an act.

The final option, which is the weakest level of faith, is to correct it with the heart, provided that one is genuinely incapable of using the hand or tongue. This means recognizing the wrong in your heart and affirming that if you had the ability to act or speak, you would certainly have done so.

So, having said all that, into which category of forbidding evil (which is compulsory upon every Muslim) would you place someone who likes a video that contains musical instruments?

It is truly disheartening to see what has become common among many of our fellow Muslims today. In the name of promoting their businesses, they post videos that include musical instruments — a clear violation of Islamic guidelines.

This is one of the many evils that have become widespread in our time.

May Allah guide our hearts, purify our intentions, and protect us from both open and hidden sins. May He grant us the strength to reject what displeases Him and help us follow the path of the Prophet ﷺ and the righteous who came before us.

اللهم ثبت قلوبنا على دينك، واهدنا لما تحبه وترضاه، ولا تزغ قلوبنا بعد إذ هديتنا.