Types of Music
Question :

Are all types of music are prohibited?

Answer :

It is unlawful to listen to music which usually causes ‘tarab’. ‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Lamentation
Question :

Is listening to poetry about the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) accompanied with music permissible?

Answer :

If the music causes ‘tarab’ then it is not permissible to listen to it. ‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Opera
Question :

Is Opera halal to listen to?

Answer :

Since it involves songs and music which usually causes ‘tarab’ then it is prohibited to listen to it. ‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Playing the Organ
Question :

Are we allowed to listen to a musician who plays the organ?

Answer :

If the music by its nature involves ‘tarab’ or enjoyment, then it is prohibited to listen to it whether it is from this particular instrument or any other ones. <br>‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Listening at Home
Question :

If a person is sitting at home, listening to such music that can cause enjoyment and ‘tarab’ but he is just listening without dancing, is this permissible?

Answer :

No, it is not permissible.

Tarab
Question :

You mentioned that music that involves ‘tarab’ is not permissible. What do you mean by the term ‘tarab’?

Answer :

‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Music
Question : Is it permissible to play the piano for relaxation and destressing purposes?
Answer : It is not permissible.
Sounds of Nature
Question :

Is it permissible to listen to the sounds of nature such as running rivers, or birds chirping?

Answer :

It is permissible to listen to such sounds.

Revolutionary Music
Question :

Are war or revolutionary songs and music permissible?

Answer :

If such music and singing is of the type that can arouse ‘tarab’, then it is prohibited to listen to; otherwise it is allowed.
‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Love Songs
Question :

Are songs about love and the like, without music, permissible?

Answer :

It is permissible to recite love poetry without song rhythms. It is not permissible to recite them in song rhythms that involves “tarab”.
‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Family Matter
Question :

Some members of my family listen to music and they won’t stop. Now, I heard a narration from Imam Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) saying that a house where there is music the angels do not enter and therefore my good deeds do not get recorded. What can I do?

Answer :

You should try to advise them, and their bad actions do not affect you. Almighty Allah said: "And whosoever does an atom's weight of good will see it” (7:99).

Sitting in Ceremonies
Question :

Is it permissible to sit in ceremonies were forbidden songs are played?

Answer :

It is not permissible to listen to songs if such songs usually cause ‘tarab’.
‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion. Even if this is not the case, attending such ceremonies is prohibited if it encourages and propagates prohibited acts and evil.

Islamic History Film
Question :

A film is being produced about Islamic history; we are using certain background music to add tension, emotion as well as beauty to the incidents of the film. Such a thing makes a huge difference on the viewer. Is what we are doing permissible in this situation?

Answer :

It is prohibited to listen to music that causes rapture. If it does not do so because of its short period of time or the way that it is played, like the military music, then it is not prohibited to listen to it.

Military Music
Question :

When it is said that military music is permitted, what does this mean?

Answer :

What is meant by this is the music that is not for entertainment and does not cause ‘tarab’, i.e. psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Music
Question : His Eminence has stated that music which causes rapture or enjoyment is prohibited. However what about sad music that doesn't bring about enjoyment, but instead sheds tears?
Answer : What we mean by rapture is the effect of the music on the soul and its reaction to it whether it result in happiness, enjoyment or sorrow.
Muslim Wedding
Question :

Can we be present at an Islamic wedding, where people are performing Islamic songs?

Answer :

All kinds of songs are prohibited except ones performed by women for women in weddings without the presence of men and without music.
It is permissible to recite nasheeds which would not cause ‘tarab’ in religious ceremonies or social happy gatherings. ‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion.

Wife Sings in Wedding Ceremony
Question :

Is it permissible for a wife to sing in a wedding ceremony in front of many people, men and women, without her husband’s permission?

Answer :

This is not permissible even if the husband allows it, since it is impermissible to do so in the presence of men. If the audience comprises of only women, then it is permissible for woman to sing during wedding ceremonies, without music.

Music in Wedding Ceremony
Question :

I am having my wedding, and my brothers do not want to attend due to the fact that there will be music played. My family and I never listen to music, but my fiancé and his family do listen to music. Is it permissible to listen to music in the said case

Answer :

It is unlawful to listen to music which usually causes ‘tarab’. ‘Tarab’ means the psychological interaction with the music or singing, whether it leads to joy, sadness, pride or any other emotion. The mentioned situation does not justify playing music in the wedding and breaking the religious rulings.

Music & Songs
Question : Is learning to play a musical instrument forbidden?
Answer : Learning music without practicing it is permissible, but such a thing is merely a theoretical assumption since learning music is associated with listening to it and playing it.
It is prohibited to learn or play music that causes rapture.
Sufi Music
Question :

Is the Sufi music called qawwali permissible, considering that it contains the dhikr of the Prophet and the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them all)?

Answer :

If it involves “Tarab”, then it is not permissible to listen to it even if it includes praising the Prophet and the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them all).