the first three generations, had vast multitudes gather in his assembly and was the foremost of the shaykhs of Islam at that time. He would warn against al-Jumhiyya and al-Mughīra: the former practised speculative theology contrary to the Book and the Sunnah, while the latter practised newly introduced listening contrary to the Book and the Sunnah.

For this reason, none of those who recommend and approve of this newly introduced listening has been able to support it with a report from the predecessors or a basis in the Book and the Sunnah.

Abū al-Qāsim said: “Reports have been transmitted from Ibn ‘Umar permitting listening, and likewise from ‘Abd Allāh ibn Ja‘far ibn Abī Tālib.”

The reply is that the report attributed to Ibn ‘Umar is false. Rather, what is reliably transmitted from Ibn ‘Umar is his condemnation of singing and his prohibition of it. The same is transmitted from the other leading Companions, such as Ibn Mas‘ūd, Ibn ‘Abbās, Jābir, and others whom Muslims have followed in their religion.

As for the account of ‘Abd Allāh ibn Ja‘far having a slave girl whose singing he would listen to in his home, ‘Abd Allāh ibn Ja‘far is not someone whose opinion concerning