Chapter Seven: Singing without instruments

Someone may ask, “Now that we have learned the ruling on singing accompanied by musical instruments—that it is forbidden except for the duff on occasions of weddings and the two Eids—what, then, is the ruling on singing without any instrument?”

In response I say: It is not sound to issue a blanket verdict of prohibition, for no evidence supports such an absolute stance. By the same token, it is equally unsound to declare it unconditionally lawful, as certain Sufis and other people of whims—past and present—have done. Singing is usually performed in the form of poetry, and poetry is not intrinsically forbidden. How could that be the case when the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “Indeed, some poetry contains wisdom,” a report recorded by al-Bukhari and listed in al-Saḥīḥah 2851?

The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—would in fact occasionally cite verses himself, such as the line by ʿAbd Allah ibn Rawāḥah—may Allah be pleased with him—

“News will be brought to you by one whom you did not provision,”

which appears in al-Saḥīḥah 2057; see the annotation in my new book Ṣaḥīḥ Adab al-Mufrad, p. 322. Accordingly, when he—peace and blessings be upon him—was asked about poetry, he replied, “It is speech: what is good in it is good, and what is bad in it is bad,” a report also found in al-Saḥīḥah 447.

Similarly, Lady ʿĀ’ishah—may Allah be pleased with her—said: