Why intentional music listening is harmful
“Not only is it beautiful to listen to the Quran, but it's really important to ponder its meanings as well.”
The khutbah argues that intentionally listening to musical instruments is spiritually harmful and generally prohibited, while unavoidable hearing should be distinguished from deliberate listening and replaced with Quran, permissible nasheeds, and reflection on meaning.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Quranic and prophetic warnings are applied to the normalization of music and intoxicants.
- The speaker argues that music can intoxicate the mind, shape identity, and contribute to spiritual and psychological harm.
- He distinguishes intentional listening from merely hearing music in public spaces or media.
- He recommends Quran, music-free nasheeds, and the permitted duff in certain celebrations as alternatives.
- He urges listeners to ponder Quranic meaning, mentions an Arabic course, and closes with supplication and announcements.
In the khateeb's words
“There's a difference between listening, al-istima'a, and hearing, just sama'a, just hearing music.”
“Because if you want to replace something haram, you got to put something in its place as a permissible substitute.”
“Not only is it beautiful to listen to the Quran, but it's really important to ponder its meanings as well.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb warned against deliberately listening to songs and musical instruments, presenting their prohibition as the position of the major Islamic legal schools while noting some exceptions. He asked us to think about how what we listen to influences our thoughts, feelings, and habits. He also explained that hearing music around us is different from choosing to listen to it. He encouraged families to provide permissible alternatives, including Quran recitation and vocals without musical instruments, when helping someone change a habit. Above all, he urged us to fill our hearts with the Quran and reflect on its meaning, using a translation if we do not understand Arabic.
- What sounds or messages from your day tend to stay in your head?
- What could we choose to listen to together that would help us remember Allah?
- Which Quran verse would you like us to read and talk about together?
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