Yaqeen Blog

In the modern "connected generation," music is ubiquitous. From TikTok trends to the background score of daily life, it is arguably the most dominant cultural force in 2026. However, within Sunni Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), the status of music and musical instruments remains a subject of intense scholarly scrutiny.

Drawing from the primary sources of the Quran and Sunnah, here is a detailed breakdown of the classical and contemporary Sunni perspectives on music.

1. The Quranic Context: "Idle Talk" (Lahw al-Hadith)

The primary Quranic verse cited regarding music is Surah Luqman (31:6). While the word "music" is not explicitly used, the interpretation hinges on the term Lahw al-Hadith (idle talk/frivolous speech).

"And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (Lahw al-Hadith) to mislead from the path of Allah without knowledge..."

• Classical Interpretation: Senior companions of the Prophet ﷺ, such as Abdullah ibn Mas’ud and Abdullah ibn Abbas, swore by Allah that this verse referred specifically to singing and musical instruments.

• The Logic: Scholars argue that music which distracts the heart from the remembrance of Allah and the Quran falls under this prohibition.

2. The Hadith Evidence (The Prophetic Tradition)

The Sunni view is heavily influenced by specific narrations in the Sahih al-Bukhari, the most authentic collection of Hadith after the Quran.

• The "Four Prohibitions" Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk (for men), the drinking of alcoholic drinks, and the use of musical instruments (al-Ma’azif), as lawful." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5590).

• The String Instruments (Ma’azif): Most classical jurists from the four main schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali) interpret al-Ma’azif as stringed and wind instruments, marking them as impermissible (Haraam).

3. The "Duff" Exception: The Permissibility of Percussion

Sunni tradition distinguishes between "Ma’azif" (string/wind) and the Duff (a one-sided frame drum).

• The Exception: There are authentic narrations where the Prophet ﷺ permitted the playing of the Duff during Eid celebrations and weddings (Nikah).

• The Logic: This establishes a precedent for "socially beneficial" or "permissible celebration" that does not include intoxicating melodies or prohibited instruments.

4. The Four Schools of Thought (Al-Madhahib al-Arba'a)

While there are nuances, the classical consensus (Ijma) among the four major imams is largely restrictive:

5. Contemporary Nuance: The Nature of the Content

In 2026, many contemporary scholars differentiate between the instrument and the message. This view, though a minority in classical Fiqh, is gaining traction in modern discourse:

• Vocal-Only (Anasheed): Almost all scholars agree that rhythmic poetry and singing (without instruments) are permissible, provided the lyrics are pure and do not promote vice.

• Purpose-Driven Media: Some modern scholars allow certain background scores for educational or news media, provided it does not lead to "frivolity."

📚 Verified Scholarly Resources

IslamWeb (Sunni Fatwa Center): The Ruling on Music and Songs according to the Four Imams

Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah: Detailed Research on Musical Instruments in Islam

Sunnah.com: Search Results for 'Ma'azif' in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim

Yaqubi Institute: The Spiritual Impact of Sound and Music in the Prophetic Tradition

IslamQA (General Sunni View): Detailed Evidence for the Prohibition of Music

The Final Verdict

The predominant Sunni view based on the Quran and Sunnah remains that musical instruments (specifically strings and wind) are impermissible, while the Duff is permitted for specific celebrations. The focus of the believer should be the "Music of the Quran"—the spiritual resonance of the Divine Word—which is seen as the ultimate nourishment for the soul.

From the barren deserts of the Hijaz emerged a force that would rewrite the history of the world. At a time when the globe was dominated by the colossal Byzantine and Sassanid superpowers, a "disunited, uneducated, and resource-poor" people rose to build an awe-inspiring civilization that spanned three continents.

In his seminal lecture, "Against All Odds: The Miraculous Rise of Islam," Ustadh Wahaj Tarin dissects how this phenomenon was not a result of gold or gunpowder, but of a profound internal revolution.

1. The Starting Line: "Unimagined Odds"

To understand the success, we must look at the "insignificance" of the Arabs in the 7th century. Sandwiched between the Roman (Byzantine) and Persian (Sassanid) Empires, the Arabian Peninsula had:

• Zero Political Stability: No central government; just scattered, warring tribes.

• No Natural Resources: A hot, harsh desert with limited water and food.

• No Intellectual Capital: A largely illiterate population with no formal education systems.

"Allah didn’t intervene with gold... the only thing He gave them was a Prophet. A messenger carrying a message. That message changed the hearts, the minds, and the conduct." — Ustadh Wahaj Tarin

2. The Secrets of Success: The "Organic" Transformation

Wahaj Tarin identifies three core shifts that turned a desert people into world leaders:

I. The Shift of the Heart (Tawheed)

The proclamation of La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah) removed the "Hocus Pocus" of 360 idols. It granted the common human being direct access to the Majesty of the Creator, removing fear of any worldly power.

II. The Shift of the Mind (Purpose)

Islam provided a "purposeless" people with a global mission. They weren't fighting for land; they were fighting to liberate people from the "worship of creation" to the "worship of the Creator."

III. The Shift of Conduct (Discipline)

The Prophet ﷺ implemented a system of competencies. He didn't just teach spirituality; he trained the Sahabah (Companions) to be the heads of industry, brilliant generals, and master administrators.

3. The Result: The Islamic Golden Age (750–1258 AD)

Once these internal changes were embodied, the external success became organic. This led to the Abbasid Golden Age, centered in Baghdad’s House of Wisdom (Baitul Hikmah).

4. Key Lessons for Our Lives Today

Ustadh Wahaj Tarin draws a direct parallel between the early Muslims and our modern challenges.

• Gratitude as a Productivity Hack: Psychology now confirms what the Prophet ﷺ taught 1,400 years ago—gratitude (Shukr) is the most productive emotion. Starting your day with Alhamdulillah sets a tone of success.

• Internal over External: We often wait for "resources" (money, status) to be successful. The early Muslims proved that opportunities and experiences come to those who have already transformed their inner character.

• Dajjalic Challenges: In a world of "superstitious Hocus Pocus" and modern distractions, the only shield is a return to the absolute clarity of the Islamic message.

📚 Verified Research & Sources

For those wishing to dive deeper into the historical and spiritual data mentioned:

• Full Lecture: Against All Odds: The Miraculous Rise of Islam || Ustadh Wahaj Tarin

• Scholarly Profile: Wahaj Tarin - Muslim Central Audio Archives

• Historical Analysis: The Transformation of Islamic Civilization (ResearchGate)

• UNESCO Digital Library: Factors Behind the Rise of Islamic Science

• Yaqeen Institute: The Most Powerful Man in Arabia: Thumama ibn Uthal (Case Study in Conduct)

The passing of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the 11th year of AH (June 632 CE) remains the most somber and pivotal moment in Islamic history. It was a day that tested the faith of the Companions (Sahaba) and marked the transition from the era of direct revelation to the era of the Caliphate.

This event was not just a religious milestone but a profound historical turning point that shaped the leadership and direction of the Muslim world for centuries to come.

The Final Moments in the Room of Aisha (RA)

The Prophet ﷺ spent his final days in the house of his wife, Aisha (RA), in Medina. Despite his intense fever and physical weakness, his final concern remained his Ummah (community).

• The Last Miswak: In his final moments, the Prophet ﷺ motioned for a Miswak (tooth-stick). Aisha (RA) softened it for him, and he used it, showcasing his commitment to purity and the Sunnah until his last breath.

• The Final Words: His last recorded words were: "Ar-Rafiq al-A’la" (The Most Exalted Companion), signaling his choice to return to the Divine Presence rather than remain in the world.

• The Silent Departure: He passed away peacefully while leaning against Aisha (RA). The news of his departure was so shocking that many in Medina initially refused to believe it.

The Reaction in Medina: A City in Shock

The immediate aftermath of his passing was characterized by a mixture of profound grief and total disbelief.

• Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Denial: Deeply traumatized, Umar (RA) famously stood in the mosque and threatened anyone who said the Prophet ﷺ was dead, believing he had merely gone to meet his Lord like Moses (AS) and would return.

• The Wisdom of Abu Bakr: It was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) who brought clarity to the community. He entered the house, kissed the Prophet’s ﷺ forehead, and then addressed the people with the now-immortal words:

  "Whosoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad has passed away. But whosoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die."

He then recited the Quranic verse: "Muhammad is no more than a messenger; other messengers have passed away before him..." (Surah Ali 'Imran, 3:144).

The Economic and Social Legacy Left Behind

Unlike the kings and emperors of the time, the Prophet ﷺ left no material wealth or dynasty. His "estate" was purely spiritual and communal.

1. Zero Personal Wealth: He did not leave behind a single Dinar or Dirham. His only possessions were his white mule, his weapons, and a piece of land that he had already designated as Sadaqah (charity) for the public.

2. A New Social Order: He left behind a unified Arabian Peninsula that had moved from tribal warfare to a cohesive society based on law, justice, and spiritual equality.

3. The Quran and Sunnah: His greatest contribution was the preservation of the Quran and the establishment of the Sunnah, which continue to guide over 2 billion people globally today.

Significance for the Modern World

The moment of the Prophet’s ﷺ passing serves as a reminder of the mortality of all human beings and the eternal nature of the Creator. For historians, it marks the birth of the Rashidun Caliphate, the first organized Islamic state structure that would soon spread from Spain to India.

Today, the Green Dome in Medina marks the spot where he was laid to rest, serving as a site of profound reverence and a reminder of the man who changed the course of human history.

Sources

◦ The Sealed Nectar (Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum) by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri

◦ Sahih al-Bukhari - Book of Funerals and the Sickness of the Prophet ﷺ

◦ The Life of Muhammad by Muhammad Husayn Haykal

◦ The First Muslim by Lesley Hazleton