Music and Ghinā’: Can Government-Sanctioned Music Override a Marjaʿ’s Fatwā?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Music and Ghinā’: Can Government-Sanctioned Music Override a Marjaʿ’s Fatwā?

English:

Question #1130:

Some youth, who recently became mature, follow in taqlīd some mujtahids who are of the opinion that music is absolutely ḥarām, even if it is broadcast from the official radio and television of the Islamic state.
What is the ruling in this matter? Is sanctioning, by the Jurist Leader, of certain ḥalāl types of music enough by itself, as a government ruling, to override the fatwā of the other mujtahids who espouse a different view? Or should those youth follow the fatwā of their respective marji‘s?

Answer #1130:

Passing a fatwā in favour of, or against, listening to music is not a hukm — governmental ruling — rather a shar‘ī jurisprudential one. It is the duty, therefore, of every mukallaf to adhere to the fatwā of his/her marji‘. However, should the music not be of the type which is suitable for the gatherings of sin and lahw which deviates people from the way of Allah and leads to bad consequences, there is no evidence for making it ḥarām.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Music and Ghinā’