Music and Ghinā’: What’s the Ruling on Joyful or Vulgar Music, and Public Exposure to It?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Music and Ghinā’: What’s the Ruling on Joyful or Vulgar Music, and Public Exposure to It?

English:

Question #1148:

If the criterion for ruling that a music is ḥarām is its being lahwī and suitable for gatherings of lahw and sin, what is the ruling in the matter of tunes and chanting which may cause some people to move their body with joy, even the non-discriminating child? Is it permissible to listen to vulgar cassettes in which women sing in the form of ghinā’ if it is not enrapturing? And what should passengers, who use public buses whose drivers play such cassettes, do?

Answer #1148:

With due consideration to the status of the musician or the singer during playing music or singing, the content, and the nature of music or song, any lahwī type of music or vocalisation with a rise and fall in voice that deviates people from the way of Allah and is suitable for the gatherings of lahw and sin is ḥarām, even if it does not lead to stimulation in the listener. The users of vehicles and buses must not listen attentively to what is being played of ḥarām lahwī music and ghinā’ songs; they should also practice forbidding the evil.

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