Prohibition of Ghina' and Music in Qur'an and Hadith

Question

Are there any explicit verses or authentic hadiths prohibiting ghina' and music?

It is halal to listen to songs with appropriate lyrics and music that is not suitable for corrupted gatherings. On the other hand, haram songs are ecstatic songs that are suitable for “debauchery” gatherings and stimulate the sensuality in humans. According to hadiths, this type of ghina' is forbidden. There are words in the Qur'an that some commentators have interpreted as forbidden ghina'. The expression “Qawl al-Zur” (false speech) in verse 30 of Surah al-Hajj has been interpreted as ghina', from which Muslims are ordered to stay away. Moreover, ghina' has been considered as one of the incidents of “lahw al-hadith” (diversionary talk) in verse 6 of Surah Luqman.

Definition and Negative Consequences of Haram Ghina'

Main entry: Ghina'

Haram ghina' has been defined as songs that are esctatic and false. Haram ghina' is suitable for debauchery gatherings, and also stimulates the sensuality in humans.

Some of the negative consequences of ghina' are:

• Encouraging moral corruption: ghina' gatherings are usually associated with all kinds of corruptions and debauchery.
• Neglecting the remembrance of God: In the explanation of ghina', it is mentioned that it makes the human being to involve in the worldly matters and pleasures in a way that people forget God. Scholars have considered the word "lahw" in the interpretation of "ghina'" as a reference to this fact.

Prohibited Ghina' in Hadiths

Muslim scholars have considered it halal to listen to music and songs that have appropriate lyrics and do not match or resemble the instruments or songs of debauchery gatherings. There are, however, many hadiths about prohibited ghina'. Imam al-Sadiq (a) said that God does not look at the people who are in a gathering where there is ghina'. In another hadith, the Imam considered ghina' to be the cause of hypocrisy.

• Ibn Mas'ud has narrated from the Prophet (s) that ghina' breeds hypocrisy in the heart just as water breeds plants.
• Imam al-Sadiq (a): “A house in which there is ghina' is not safe from death and painful calamities, prayers are not answered in it, and angels do not enter it.”

Arguments Based on Verses of the Qur'an

Some exegetes have considered words from the Qur'an to refer to "ghina'" and music:

• “So avoid the abomination of idols, and avoid false speech.” (22:30) After that Abu Basir asked Imam al-Sadiq (a) about this verse, the Imam interpreted that as “ghina'”. Zayd al-Shahham also says, “I asked Imam al-Sadiq (a) about the interpretation of the phrase “qawl al-zur” (false speech), and he said, ‘what is meant by “qawl al-sur” is ghina'.'”

• “Among the people is he who buys diversionary talk that he may lead [people] astray from Allah's way without any knowledge, and he takes it in derision. For such there is a humiliating punishment.” (31:6)

In a hadith, Imam al-Sadiq (a) considered "ghina'" to be one of the issues that God has promised punishment for, and then he recited this verse. The phrase “lahw al-hadith” (diversionary talk) in this verse has a broad meaning that include any kind of saying or music that leads to heedlessness which cause deviation and futility for human beings.