the harsh voice, saying, exalted is He:

‘Indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.’ [Surah Luqmān 19]”

I say: The fact that something is a blessing does not mean that one may use it for whatever sinful purpose one wishes. It calls only for its proper use. Rather, those who use blessings in obedience to Allah are praised for doing so. This constitutes gratitude to Allah, which brings an increase in His bounty. Thus, a beautiful voice should be put to good use in reciting the Quran, as Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī used to do. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would listen to his recitation and said, “I passed by you last night while you were reciting, and I stopped to listen to your recitation.” He replied, “Had I known that you were listening, I would have made it still more beautiful for you.” The Prophet also said, “This man has been given one of the flutes of the family of David.”

As for using blessings for something merely permissible, this does not constitute an act of obedience. How, then, could using them for something disliked or forbidden do so? Even if such use were permissible, it would not be an act of drawing near to Allah or of obedience to Him unless He had authorized it. And whoever