Music and Ghinā’: Is Singing in the Form of Ghinā’ Permissible on Radio or Cassettes?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Music and Ghinā’: Is Singing in the Form of Ghinā’ Permissible on Radio or Cassettes?

English:

Question #1136:

What is the ruling in the matter of men or women singing in the way of ghinā’ on radio or cassettes, and irrespective of whether or not such singing was done to the accompaniment of music?

Answer #1136:

Ghinā’ is ḥarām if it is lahwī and deviates people from the way of Allah. Thus, it is neither permissible to sing ghinā’ nor to listen to it, regardless of whether the singer is a man or a woman. Whether singing is broadcast live, or to listen to its cassettes, and whether it is accompanied by tunes from musical instruments or not, does not change the ruling in any way.

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