He said: “Abū Ya‘qūb al-Nahrajūrī was asked about listening and replied: ‘It is a state that manifests a return to the inner secrets through burning.’”

I say: This describes the inward states that follow listening, with their intense heat, burning, and felt experiences. These are things a person senses, experiences, and tastes. Yet this in itself warrants neither praise nor blame, for the like occurs among worshippers of Christ and the cross, worshippers of the calf, and worshippers of false gods. It also occurs among passionate lovers and others. Unless these states are among those that Allah and His Messenger love, they are neither praiseworthy nor deserving of commendation.

Abū al-Qāsim said: “It has been said that listening is a subtle nourishment for the souls of those endowed with knowledge.” He did not name the person who said this. There is no doubt that listening provides nourishment. Indeed, it has been said that singing is called ghinā’ because it enriches the soul. But nourishment and food may be wholesome or unwholesome. Not everything a person finds pleasurable because of its appeal is wholesome: someone who eats pork enjoys eating it, and someone who drinks wine enjoys drinking it.