The Hanafi School’s Perspective on Music: A Summary

 This article provides a summary of a lecture by Asrar Rashid, a Muslim scholar, on the topic of music in Islamic jurisprudence, specifically from the perspective of the Hanafi school.

The Hanafi School’s Stance on Music

The Hanafi school of thought has varying opinions on music. While some scholars adopt a lenient view, others hold a stricter stance. It is universally agreed upon that string instruments and the harp are prohibited. However, the duff, a type of drum, is permitted.

Sadd al-Dhara’i and Its Application to Music

Sadd al-dhara’i is a legal principle in Islamic jurisprudence that prohibits permissible actions if they lead to impermissible outcomes. This principle is applied to music, particularly music with impermissible lyrics, vulgarity, lewdness, or associations with alcohol and drugs. Such music is deemed prohibited. However, music that is not explicitly declared haram (forbidden) by Sharia law falls into a gray area.

Anomalous Opinions on Music

There are some anomalous opinions among scholars regarding music. Some scholars permit all musical instruments, while others attempt to weaken the hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) that prohibit music. These opinions are considered divergent and anomalous.

The Ruling on Listening to Music

Listening to music is considered a minor sin, not a major one. Therefore, Muslims who listen to music cannot be declared fasiq (transgressive).

In conclusion, the Hanafi school’s perspective on music is nuanced and varies among scholars. It is important to understand these nuances when discussing the topic of music in Islamic jurisprudence.