Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim
As Salaamu ‘aleykum
Thank you for “the six million dollar question...” as brother Hasin writes.
It is a very good question that you have asked brother Mahdi, but I think I answered the very question earlier if you look at the answers properly.
Ghinã: means –
Haraam Music. (Music that is suitable for
entertainment and
amusement places or
gatherings).
Answers from my previous post:
536. Music that is
permissible is the music that does
not entail entertainment in gatherings held for
that purpose.
Forbidden music is the music that is
suitable for
entertainment and
amusement gatherings (
Ghinã).
537. The expression “the music or the song that is suitable for entertainment and amusement gatherings” does not mean that the music or the song’s tune amuses the heart or changes the mental state because there is nothing wrong in it. The
expression actually
means that the person
listening to the music or the song’s
tune —especially if he is
an expert in these matters— can
distinguish that this tune is used in the
entertainment and
amusement gatherings or that it is similar to the tunes
used therein.
The following question and answer was taken from Sistani’s website –
http://www.sistani.org
“548. Question: Is it permissible to listen to religious songs in praise of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) that are accompanied with music?
Answer: Songs (al-ghinã’) are harãm absolutely. However, singing praise [of the Prophet or the Ahlul Bayt] that is sung with a
good tune but is not in ghinã’ form is without problem.
As for the music, it would be allowed, if it is
not suitable for
entertainment and
amusement gatherings.”
Let me add another question and answer which explains the meaning of Ghinã.
Question : What is your ruling on Ghina or song?
Answer : Singing (al-ghinã’) is harãm: doing it, listening to it, or living of it. By “singing — al-ghinã’,” I mean an
amusing statement expressed in the
tunes that are
suitable for those who provide
entertainment and
amusement.
Question : Some people recite salaams on the tune of some songs. Is it haram or halal ?
Answer : If the recitation is not in a
Lahvi manner, it is not haram. (
Lahvi means something that is
provocative and
suitable for
revelry).
In simple words, if you can identify the type of music used in
discos, pubs and bars, by the first moment you listen to Music and the first thing that comes to your mind is the
same type of music used in those places, then the music is of a
Haraam type and therefore it becomes Haraam for you to listen to.
Using the same method, if you listen to music and it
doesn’t give you a
corrupt feeling in your
head, it is then
permissible for you to listen.
This is the best way to identify the type of the Music played. I had the same problem of identifying the haraam/ Halaal music until one of my friends in Hawza (Qum) explained it to me, and since I use the same method to identify the music (
Halaal Music)
I listen to.
If you are still having problems with these questions, I recommend you to buy books on Music which you will definitely find them at the Tabligh Center opposite the Shia Masjid.
One of the recent published book that I find it useful is
“180 Questions (Enquiries about Islam Vol. 1: The Practical Laws” Complied by a group of Muslim. Scholars Under the Supervision of Ayatullah al-‘Uzma Hajj Shaykh Nasir Makarim Shirazi. Translated by Shahnawaz Mahdavi. You can as well purchase this book from the World Federation website –
http://www.world-federation.org
There are many books on Music that you may find useful. Try some research and you will find many answers to all your questions. In that way you will be able to share more with us from what you came across.
Anyway, please let me know if this was any useful to you.
Thank you.
“And those who do not give false evidence; and when they pass by what is vain, they pass with dignity.” (25:72)