and silver, and letting garments trail, among other forms of extravagance and arrogance when enjoying blessings. He also condemned those who deem unlawful sexual intercourse, silk, wine, and musical instruments lawful, and declared that among them would be people swallowed by the earth and transformed.

Allah Most High has said:

“Indeed, Allah does not love those who are conceited and boastful.”

And He said concerning Qārūn:

“When his people said to him, ‘Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not love the exultant.’”

These three matters, together with patiently refraining from transgression in the pursuit of desire, encompass the essentials of this subject.

A person faces both what he loves and desires and what he hates and dislikes. He pursues the former through his love and desire, and repels the latter through his hatred and aversion. When he obtains the former or averts the latter, this brings him joy and happiness; when the latter befalls him or the former is lost, he experiences sorrow. Thus, when experiencing love and desire, he needs patiently to restrain the transgression they may cause; when experiencing anger and aversion, he needs patiently to restrain the transgression they may cause; when experiencing joy, he needs patiently to restrain its excesses; and when calamity strikes, he needs patiently to refrain from giving way to anguish.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, therefore mentioned the two foolish, sinful sounds: the sound that leads to excess in joy until a person becomes exultant and boastful, and the sound that provokes anguish.

As for sounds that stir anger for Allah’s sake, such as the poetry chanted during jihad, these were not accompanied by instruments. Likewise, regarding sounds of desire at times of joy, he permitted such forms as are established in the Sunnah, such as beating the frame drum