who were singing in Ā’isha’s house the verses exchanged by the Ansār on the day of Bu‘āth. Abū Bakr said, “Satan’s pipe!” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Leave them be, Abū Bakr, for every people has a festival, and this day is our festival.”

It has already been explained that allowing women and children to sing on festive occasions is established by the Sunnah, just as they are permitted other forms of play. A specific permission, however, must not be made general. Thus, when Abū Bakr said, “Satan’s pipe in the house of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him?” the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not object to this description. Nor did the Companions favour any such thing. Rather, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, identified a particular circumstance by saying, “Every people has a festival, and this is our festival.”

Similar to this is his statement to Umar, “Were he to see you taking one path, he would take a different path,” when the women feared Umar because of what they had been doing in the presence of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It is thus understood that, although this was from Satan, these people were permitted it lest he lead them to