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Ruling on organizing festivals that involve music and singing

14-02-2008

Question 106604

What is the ruling on establishing festivals in which actors, singers and poets are invited to come from the country of the festival or abroad.  Please clarify the ruling on the following: 
Firstly: What is the ruling on arranging such parties, knowing that they are about singing and music all or most of the time?
  Secondly: what is the ruling on inviting, encouraging and spending on such festivals? And what is the ruling on bringing non-Muslim singers, spending on them, welcoming them, feeling happy for their attendance and listening to them?
Thirdly: what is the ruling on those who attend such festivals and listen to them?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

It is haraam for the Muslim to organize parties or festivals that include haraam things, such as singing and music, mixing of men and women, and bringing charlatan magicians, because there is a great deal of shar’i evidence that indicates that such things are haraam and they are causes of people falling into that which Allaah has forbidden of immoral and evil actions. Allaah warns those who want immorality to be spread among the believers and promote that, and He has prepared a painful punishment for them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter” [al-Noor 24:18]. Once it is established that these parties and festivals are haraam, it is also haraam to attend them, because they are a waste of time and money in things that are not pleasing to Allaah, and they are cooperating in sin and transgression, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]. And in a hadeeth the authenticity of which is agreed upon, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade wasting money. 

And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

Condemnation of Singing and Musical Instruments
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