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A Statement on the Grave Sin and Crime of Mixing the Quran with Music
Author : The General Iftaa' Department
Date Added : 17-09-2024

A Statement on the Grave Sin and Crime of Mixing the Quran with Music

 

The General Iftaa` Department clarifies that mixing the recitation of the Quran with melodies, music, and rhythmic beats accompanied by musical instruments, singing, and dancing is one of the greatest sins and is strictly prohibited. This is a grave mockery and a contemptuous act towards the Quran. It is a futile attempt to distort the meanings of the Quranic verses and to diminish its significance in the hearts of believers. Allah Says (What means): "And when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and mocked, do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hellfire altogether." [An-Nisa'/140].   

Muslims are obligated to believe in the Quran, to honor it, and to hold it in the highest esteem, whether in speech, writing, or calligraphy. Allah Says (What means): "And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts." [Al-Hajj/32]. Muslims must avoid any word, action, or belief that contradicts the respect and reverence due to the Quran.

Allah, The Exalted, has clearly stated in His Book, addressing the Prophet and his nation, the importance of preserving the recitation of the Quran as it was revealed. Allah Says (What means): "Do not move your tongue with it to hasten through it. Indeed, upon Us is its collection and [the responsibility for] its recitation. So when We have recited it, then follow its recitation. Then it is upon Us to explain it." [Al-Qiyamah/16-19]. These verses clearly indicate that the Quran is to be recited as it was revealed, and no deviation is permissible, even due to haste in recitation.

The recitation of the Quran is a fixed and continuous Islamic tradition that has been transmitted from generation to generation, from our time to the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them; from them to the Prophet, peace be upon him; from him to Gabriel, peace be upon him, and from him to the Almighty Lord. Exactly as Allah intended for this great Book to be recited.

Therefore, it is forbidden for any believer in Allah, His Messenger, and His Book to spread anything that is unbecoming of the Quran or to contribute to its promotion, preparation, presentation, or financing. This is because it is a deviation from the path of Allah, a disregard for sacred things, and a violation of prohibitions. Rather, every Muslim must preserve the Quran, teach it to others as it was revealed to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and as it has been transmitted by the nation. Our enemies will not succeed in their plots and their evil intentions, for Allah, The Exalted, Says (What means): "Indeed, it is We who have sent down the reminder, and indeed, We will be its guardian." [Al-Hijr/9].

We ask Allah, the Exalted, to enable us to fulfill this great honor by honoring His Book, preserving it, reciting it, and acting upon it in the correct manner. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on using the *subḥah* (prayer beads) to count during *tasbīḥ* and *dhikr*?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is recommended to use the ordinary or electronic subḥah (prayer beads or counter) to count tasbīḥ, dhikr, and istighfār, because it helps one to remember Allah. Many reports have been transmitted from the Companions and the Followers (tābiʿūn) showing that they continued to use strings of date pits as an aid to dhikr and tasbīḥ.
It is one of the lawful means of worship. Indeed, what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), namely that he counted tasbīḥ on his right hand, shows that it is permissible to count tasbīḥ with whatever helps a Muslim keep track of the number. There is therefore no basis for calling it an innovation (bidʿah), and we know of no jurist who said so.
Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote a dedicated treatise on the subject titled al-Minḥah fī al-Subḥah, printed within al-Ḥāwī li’l-Fatāwī (vol. 4–6).
Shaykh al-Islām Imam Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Does the subḥah have a basis in the Sunnah? He replied: “Yes, and al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī wrote on this. Among the evidence is what is authentically reported from Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both): ‘I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) counting tasbīḥ on his hand.’ Ibn Abī Shaybah, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Tirmidhī also narrated: ‘Hold fast to tasbīḥ, tahlīl, and taqdīs, and do not be heedless, lest you forget the affirmation of Allah’s oneness (tawḥīd). Count them on the fingertips, for they will be questioned and made to speak.’ Counting tasbīḥ with pebbles, date pits, and a knotted string has also been reported from a group of the Companions and those after them. Some scholars held that counting on the fingertips is better than the subḥah, based on the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿUmar. Others distinguished, saying: if the one reciting is safe from miscounting, counting on the fingertips is better; otherwise the subḥah is better.” [al-Fatāwā al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubrā, Vol.1/p.152]. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Which holds greater virtue: The Udhiyah (Sacrificial Offering) or giving its value in Charity (Sadaqah)?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) holds greater virtue than donating its monetary value to the poor and needy. This is because the sacrifice is a prominent, manifest ritual among the sacred symbols of Islam. Allah Almighty says: "That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts." (Al-Hajj: 32)
 
Furthermore, there are numerous authentic and explicit Hadiths highlighting its immense reward. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) consistently offered this sacrifice, as did the Righteous Caliphs after him. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.
 

What is the ruling on omitting the prostration of recitation?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The prostration of recitation (Sajdat al-Tilawah) is a Sunnah for both the reader and the listener. There is no sin in omitting it, though doing so results in missing a great reward. Muslim narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, Shaytan withdraws weeping, saying: "Woe to him! (and in the narration of Abu Kuraib: "Woe to me!") The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate and he prostrated, so Paradise is his; and I was commanded to prostrate and I refused, so the Fire is mine."'
 
Sheikh al-Islam Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: 'It is recommended to prostrate immediately after reciting or hearing a verse of prostration. If one delays it but the interval is short, he may still prostrate. However, if the interval is long, the opportunity is missed.' [Rawdat al-Talibin Vol.1/P.323].
 
Furthermore, the prostration of recitation becomes obligatory (Wajib) in congregational prayer if the Imam prostrates, out of the necessity of following him. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on doubting whether one or two prostrations were performed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If a worshiper is in doubt regarding the number of units (rak'ahs) or prostrations (sajdahs) performed, he must build upon the minimum (i.e., assume the lower number) and perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sujud al-Sahw) before the Salam at the end of the prayer. This is based on the report from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When anyone of you is in doubt about his Salat (prayer) and does not know how many he has prayed, three or four (Rak'at) he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of. Then, he should perform two prostrations before Taslim (salutation). If he has prayed five Rak'at, they will make his Salat (prayer) an even number for him and if he has prayed exactly four, they (i.e. two prostrations) will be humiliation for the devil..' (Narrated by Abu Dawud).
 
It is stated in Al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah: 'If one doubts [whether he performed] a bowing (ruku’), a prostration, or a rak'ah, he must perform it and prostrate [for forgetfulness], even if the doubt is removed before the Salam—unless the doubt is removed before he performs what would potentially be an addition. Thus, if he doubts whether he prayed three or four, he is obligated to build upon the minimum.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.