Buying and Selling: Singing (Ghinā) and Music
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Ayatullah Sistani
Ruling 2090
Singing (ghinā) is unlawful. The meaning of ‘singing’ here is void (bāṭil) speech that is articulated in a tune appropriate to gatherings of entertainment and amusement. Similarly, it is not permitted to recite the Qur’an, supplications (duʿāʾs), and the like in such a tune. And based on obligatory precaution, other forms of speech, apart from the ones already mentioned, must not be articulated in such a tune either. Similarly, listening to singing is unlawful, and taking a fee for singing is also unlawful, and the fee does not become the property of the person who took it. Learning and teaching to sing is also not permitted. Music, i.e. playing instruments that are specially designed for music, is also unlawful if it is in a way that is appropriate to gatherings of entertainment and amusement [and listening to such music is unlawful as well]; other than that, it is not unlawful. Taking a fee for playing unlawful music is unlawful, and the fee taken does not become the property of the person who took it. Teaching and learning it is also unlawful.
-Ayatullah Sistani, Practical Laws of Islam, Buying and Selling