Anyone who is ignorant of these matters and deliberately listens to such words as referring to Allah, without making these distinctions, undoubtedly commits unbelief. Thus, gathering such words and listening to them as referring to Allah is impermissible, except for someone familiar with what I have described concerning the remembrance of Allah, His blessings, and His attributes, Mighty and Majestic, in which created beings share no quality or description. Even then, refraining from this is preferable and more prudent. Fundamentally, it is an innovation, and listening to singing carries a risk of temptation. “Quatrains,” too, are an innovation. This was condemned by al-Muttalibī, Mālik, al-Thawrī, Yazīd ibn Hārūn, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ishāq. Following their example is preferable to following people who are unknown in religion and have no standing among the elect.

I have heard that Bishr ibn al-Hārith was told, “Your companions have introduced something called poems.”

He asked, “Such as what?”

The reply was, “Such as these words:

Be patient, O my soul, until you dwell
In the abode of the Majestic One.”

He said, “Good. And where are these people who listen to this?”

The narrator said, “I replied, ‘In Baghdad.’”

He said, “They have lied! By Allah, besides whom there is no god, no one who listens to this lives in Baghdad.”

Abū ‘Abd Allāh said:

Among our teachings—which are also the teachings of our imams—is that a poor person who suffers need, remains patient, and does not beg until Allah grants him relief holds a higher rank. For someone unable to endure patiently, asking is more appropriate, in accordance with the Prophet’s words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“For one of you to take his rope”—to the end of the hadith.

We also maintain that abandoning the pursuit of a livelihood is impermissible except under specified conditions involving abstaining from begging and being independent