Yaqeen Blog

In 2026, the global landscape of Muslim-majority countries is undergoing a massive "Culture Shift." As nations scramble to diversify their economies away from oil, many are moving away from the "Standard Script" of strict prohibition and toward a "Managed Choice" model of tourism. This involves a calculated liberalization of what were once considered "vices"—gambling, alcohol, and high-end escort services—to attract the "Main Character" high-net-worth travelers of the world.

The following ranking is based on 2026 regulatory reports, legislative shifts, and the "Real Power" of economic necessity.

1. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE has officially taken the top spot in 2026. The establishment of the GCGRA (General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority) has turned the "Invisible Empire" of underground betting into a licensed reality.

• The Mega-Casino: The Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is on track for its 2027 opening, but 2026 has seen the rollout of the first national lottery licenses and a surge in "Integrated Resort" construction in Dubai.

• Vice Profile: Alcohol is now widely available for non-Muslims in most Emirates (except Sharjah), and the high-end escort and companionship sector in Dubai has professionalized into a multi-billion dollar luxury hospitality niche.

2. Turkey

Turkey remains a unique "Diagnostic" for secularism in a Muslim-majority state. While many Gulf nations are just starting to liberalize, Turkey has a long-standing history of regulated vice.

• Legal Framework: State-sanctioned brothels (Genelevleri) and a massive national lottery (Milli Piyango) are standard.

• Vice Profile: Alcohol is fully legal and produced locally (Rakı). While land-based casinos were banned in the 90s, the online gambling market and "gray market" betting shops are among the most active in the world in 2026.

3. Lebanon

Beirut has long been the "Main Character" of Middle Eastern nightlife. Despite economic "Glitches," its vice industry is a critical pillar of its survival.

• The Casino du Liban: This remains the most famous legal gambling house in the Arab world.

• Vice Profile: Lebanon has a highly visible "Super Nightclub" and "Cabaret" culture. Prostitution is technically regulated via "artiste" visas, making it a hub for regional adult entertainment.

4. Morocco

Morocco uses a "Managed Choice" system to balance its Islamic identity with its status as a top-tier European tourist destination.

• Gaming Hubs: Cities like Marrakesh and Agadir host over a dozen legal casinos, including the famous Casino de Marrakech.

• Vice Profile: Alcohol production (especially wine) is a major industry. In 2026, the "red light" districts in major cities are tacitly ignored by authorities to maintain the flow of foreign currency.

5. Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has created "Invisible Empires" of gambling in dedicated zones like Kapchagay and Borovoye, specifically to prevent vice from "glitching" the social order of its main cities.

• The Las Vegas of the Steppes: These zones are filled with high-stakes casinos catering to Chinese and Russian whales.

• Vice Profile: Vodka consumption remains high, and the "companionship" industry is a major part of the business-traveler economy in Almaty and Astana.

6. Egypt

Egypt’s approach is strictly "Transactional." Gambling and certain vices are permitted, but almost exclusively for "foreign passport holders."

• Economic Defense: Casinos are located inside 5-star hotels in Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh. They serve as "Real Power" tools to extract hard currency from tourists.

• Vice Profile: While society is conservative, the belly-dancing clubs and "escort" services in Giza and Zamalek are world-renowned.

7. Tunisia

Tunisia is the "Diagnostic" for Mediterranean-style liberalization. It has long permitted alcohol and has several casinos in tourist zones like Djerba and Sousse.

• Regulation: Like Turkey, Tunisia has state-regulated prostitution, though it is a shrinking industry under pressure from conservative groups.

• Vice Profile: It is one of the few Muslim countries where you can find locally brewed beer (Celtia) in almost any supermarket.

8. Bahrain

Bahrain acts as the "Relief Valve" for the more conservative parts of the Gulf.

• The Weekend Rush: It has historically been the primary destination for "vice tourism" from neighboring Saudi Arabia.

• Vice Profile: It has a high density of bars, nightclubs, and a very active (though technically illegal) escort industry centered in Juffair.

9. Malaysia

Malaysia operates a "Dual Script" system. It is home to Genting Highlands, one of the world's largest casino resorts, but it is strictly haram for the local Muslim majority to enter.

• The Exception: The government allows vice to exist for the Chinese/Indian minorities and international tourists.

• Vice Profile: Alcohol is expensive due to taxes but widely available. The country has a massive "massage parlor" industry that serves as a front for other services.

10. Saudi Arabia (The 2026 Newcomer)

Saudi Arabia has jumped into the Top 10 due to the sheer velocity of its Vision 2030 "Vibe Shift."

• The Alcohol Shift: In 2026, the Kingdom has opened its first licensed alcohol stores for non-Muslim diplomats and high-earning expats, and high-end resorts along the Red Sea are now rumored to be testing "dry" casino-style gaming lounges.

• Vice Profile: While still the most conservative on this list, the "Moral Theater" of absolute prohibition is cracking in favor of "Strategic Liberalism" to compete with Dubai.

The Verdict: The Globalization of Vice

In 2026, the "Standard Script" of the Islamic world is shifting toward a pragmatic, revenue-first model. Governments have realized that if they don't provide a "Managed Choice" for vice, their citizens and tourists will simply take their "Real Power" (money) to a neighboring country. The "Mega-Casino" era in the Gulf isn't just about gambling; it's about the final transition of these states into globalized, post-religious economic hubs.

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.