Sufi Singing and “Islamic” Nasheeds

After we clarified the categories of forbidden singing—whether accompanied by instruments or performed without them—drawing on the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ, the reports of the early generations, and the statements of the leading imams, the time has now come to discuss Sufi singing and what is today called “Islamic” or “religious” nasheeds. I say, seeking Allah’s assistance:

There is no doubt that just as it is impermissible for us to worship anyone but Allah—thereby fulfilling the testimony that there is no god but Allah—it is likewise impermissible for us to worship Allah or seek closeness to Him except through what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has brought, thereby fulfilling the testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. When the believer recognizes this, he becomes one who loves Allah and follows His Messenger ﷺ; and whoever is loved by Allah finds Allah with him, supporting and aiding him.

I mentioned in the introduction to my commentary on al-‘Izz ibn ʿAbd al-Salam’s treatise Bidayat al-Sul fi Tafdil al-Rasul—after citing two well-known hadiths about loving Allah and His Messenger and about the sweetness of faith tasted by those who possess that love—the following passage:

Know, O Muslim brother, that no one can attain this station of loving Allah and His Messenger unless he singles out Allah, Exalted is He, in worship—worshiping none besides Him—and unless he singles out the Prophet ﷺ for imitation, following none of Allah’s servants in preference to him. Allah the Exalted says, “Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah” (4:80), and He also says, “Say, ‘If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you’” (3:31). The Prophet ﷺ said, “By Him in Whose hand is my soul, if Moses were alive, he would have no option but to follow me.” 1