Is music, musical instruments, or singing used at all in Islamic worship?
Musical instruments are never employed in Islamic worship. Odes in glorification of the Almighty or in praise of prophets are, however, sung melodiously at Muslim gatherings as well as in mosques. Prophet Muhammad himself encouraged singing on festive occasions such as `Eid, wedding feasts, and the hosting of guests. Singing is thus not discouraged per se, provided that the content is not obscene, vulgar, irreligious, or promoting that which is false or forbidden. The highest expression of Islamic sonorous art is qiraa’ah (the art of Qur’anic recitation). Those not familiar with the Qur’an may experience its rendition in mosques during the morning or evening prayers and consider the recitation to be a form of singing. No form of singing is considered comparable to it, and its rendition in a melodious manner is an integral part of Islamic culture. In the words of the former pop star Cat Stevens, “There is no melody more beautiful than the Qur’an well-recited.
Musical instruments are never employed in Islamic worship. Odes in glorification of the Almighty or in praise of prophets are, however, sung melodiously at Muslim gatherings as well as in mosques. Prophet Muhammad himself encouraged singing on festive occasions such as `Eid, wedding feasts, and the hosting of guests. Singing is thus not discouraged per se, provided that the content is not obscene, vulgar, irreligious, or promoting that which is false or forbidden. The highest expression of Islamic sonorous art is qiraa’ah (the art of Qur’anic recitation). Those not familiar with the Qur’an may experience its rendition in mosques during the morning or evening prayers and consider the recitation to be a form of singing. No form of singing is considered comparable to it, and its rendition in a melodious manner is an integral part of Islamic culture.
