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.