What Ed Husain wants his readers to believe is that Muslim opposition to music is only to be found among the “Islamic State, the Taliban, and other hardliners.” That’s not true. He leaves out any mention of the belief, among many Muslims, that Muhammad himself condemned musical instruments when he said: “There will be among my Ummah people who will regard as permissible adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments.” (Buhkhari, 5590). And all of these things he’s listed are, of course, prohibited. Many prominent Islamic scholars of the past who agreed that musical instruments were haram include Abu Hanifa, Al-Shafi’i, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Al-Tabari, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Al-Bukhari, Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Nawawi, Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Tahawi, and Al-Qurtubi.
Not all Muslim scholars agree with this view. Some who argue that music is in some cases halal (permitted) claim that this hadith relates only to the use of instruments in the mosques. At the time when Muhammad spoke about the matter, the polytheists — Unbelievers, whether Christians or pagans — used music and musical instruments as part of their worship. These scholars claim that Muhammad’s prohibition was meant to apply only to music that might be similarly used in Muslim worship; it was another way to distinguish the new faith of Islam from the practice of the “polytheists.”
However, the Hadith from Bukhari 5590 unambiguously condemns “musical instruments” — no matter where they are used — as being on the same level as ‘’adultery” and “alcohol.” It says nothing about allowing, in certain limited circumstances, the use of musical instruments. It is a flat prohibition.
The curators do a fantastic job of tackling modern shibboleths with intelligence and subtlety. The Taleban detonated the ancient Bamiyan Buddhas and Islamic State exploded parts of Palmyra because the statues and figurative art offended the sensitivities of today’s literalist monotheists. A centuries-long collection of tiles and jugs and other objects shows us that figurative art was normal in the Islamic world. Umayyad coins from the 7th century, decades after the passing of the Prophet, carry the image of the caliph Abd al-Malik (r.685–705). Verses of the Quran appeared on tiles with peacocks as late as 1308; Persian dishes from the 1600s, possibly from Muslim hunting lodges, were decorated with pheasants.
Ed Husain claims that the Taliban blew up the Bamiyan Buddhas, and the Islamic State blew up what it could of the Roman buildings in Palmyra “because the statues and figurative art offended the sensitivities of today’s literalist monotheists.” That claim misleads. It was not the sensitivities only of “today’s literalist monotheists” that were offended. Husain seems to think only the “extremists” — the Taliban and the Islamic State — are “literalist monotheists.” But devout Muslims have been “literalist monotheists” since Islam began. The Bamiyan Buddhas would have been blown up long ago, by mainstream Muslims, if only they had possessed the technical wherewithal. These Buddhas offended Muslim sensibilities in two ways. First, they were representations of living creatures, which are forbidden in Islam. Second, they belonged to another, non-Muslim religion, and consequently were especially offensive. Similarly, the Roman buildings in Palmyra were blown up because they were from the pre-Islamic Time of Ignorance, or Jahiliyya, and consequently worthless. Roman statuary would also have violated the Islamic proscription on images of living creatures.
Ed Husain wants you to think that the recent destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas and of Roman statuary and buildings in Palmyra are a new phenomenon, the result of today’s brain-addled extremists (“literalist monotheists”), who do not represent the true Islam. But Muslims have been destroying artworks that showed living creatures — statues, frescoes, paintings — for 1,400 years. Ed Husain knows why, but he’s not about to mention the hadiths in which Muhammad makes clear that all “pictures” (of living creatures) are haram.
Here are just two of those hadith:
1. Narrated Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) I bought a cushion having on it pictures (of animals). When Allah’s Apostle saw it, he stood at the door and did not enter. I noticed the sign of disapproval on his face and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I repent to Allah and His Apostle. What sin have I committed?’ Allah’s Apostle said. “What is this cushion?” I said, “I have bought it for you so that you may sit on it and recline on it.” Allah’s Apostle said, “The makers of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, ‘Give life to what you have created (i.e., these pictures).’ ” The Prophet added, “The Angels of (Mercy) do not enter a house in which there are pictures (of animals).” — Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari
2. Narrated Salim’s father: Once Gabriel promised to visit the Prophet but he delayed and the Prophet got worried about that. At last he came out and found Gabriel and complained to him of his grief (for his delay). Gabriel said to him, “We do not enter a place in which there is a picture or a dog.” — Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari
Ed Husain ought to have admitted that there is strong textual authority for a ban on “pictures” of living creatures — figurative art, whether two or three dimensions, paintings or statues — and he ought to have provided the supporting hadith. He might then have argued that the most fanatical enforcers of this ban — though hardly the only ones — have recently been the Taliban and the Islamic State. But leaving out these hadith altogether, and hoping you won’t find out about them, shows Ed Husain’s bad faith or rather, his taqiyya.
mortimer says
The whitewashing of Islam by Ed Husain will not wash.
OFFICIAL, COMPULSORY Sharia law commands the destruction of musical instruments:
SHARIA LAW MANUAL: RELIANCE OF THE TRAVELLER ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
K2.3: Usefulness
It is invalid to transact something which is not useful (O: whether the reason for invalidity is the article’s baseness or the smallness of the amount being dealt with,) such as vermin, a single grain of wheat, or unlawful musical instruments (dis: r40) (O: such as the mandolin or flute, since there is no lawful benefit in them).
K19.2
It is permissible to lend anything that can be benefited from while the article itself still remains
(O: such that B gets some use out the article, as is usually the case, or else he materially gains from it, as when he borrows a sheep for its milk or its expected offspring, or borrows a tree for its fruit. It is not valid to lend something of no lawful benefit such as a musical instrument (dis: r40), or such things as edibles, which do not themselves exist after use, since their use consists solely in their consumption).
Q2.3: Having the Caliph’s Permission
Some scholars stipulate that the person delivering the censure must have permission to do so from the caliph (def: o25) or his regional appointee, and do not grant that private individuals may censure others. This is untrue, for the Koranic verses and hadiths all indicate that whoever sees something wrong and does nothing has sinned. Stipulating that there must be permission from the caliph is mere arbitrary opinion. … there are five levels of censure: explaining the wrong nature of the act, admonishing the person politely, reviling him and harshness, forcibly stopping the act (such as by breaking musical instruments or pouring out wine), and finally, intimidation and threatening to strike the person or actually hitting him to stop what he is doing.
Q5.2: Knowledge of the Wrong Act
The first degree consists of knowing the wrong act. One should not eavesdrop at another’s house in order to hear the sounds of musical instruments, or try to catch the scent of wine, or feel for an object concealed beneath someone’s shirt to see if it is a flute
Q5.6: Fighting the Wrong By Hand
-2- and to break the instruments, for example, just enough to obviate their being used for disobedience and no more, or to be careful not to break the bottles when pouring out wine. If one cannot manage except by throwing rocks at the bottles or the like, then one may do so and is not obliged to cover the damages.
Chapter R40.0: MUSIC, SONG, AND DANCE
@R40.1: Musical-2- “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress.”
-3- “Song makes hypocrisy grow in the heart as water does herbage
-4- “This Community will experience the swallowing up of some people by the earth, metamorphosis of some into animals, and being rained upon with stones.” Someone asked, “When will this be, O messenger of Allah?” and he said, “When songstresses and musical instruments appear and wine is held to be lawful.”
-5- “There will be peoples of my Community who will hold fornication, silk, wine, and musical instruments to be lawful….”
All of this is explicit and compelling textual evidence that musical instruments of all types are unlawful (Kaff al-ra`a’ `an muharramat al-lahw wa al-sama` (y49), 2.269-70).
Instruments
(Ibn Hajar Haytami:) As for the condemnation of musical instruments, flutes, strings, and the like by the Truthful and Trustworthy (Allah bless him and give him peace), who
“does not speak from personal caprice: it is nothing besides a revelation inspired” (Koran 53:3-4),
R40.2
(Nawawi:) It is unlawful to use musical instruments-such as those which drinkers are known for, like the mandolin, lute, cymbals and flute-or to listen to them. It is permissible to play the tambourine at weddings, circumcisions, and other times, even if it has bells on its sides. Beating the kuba, a long drum with a narrow middle, is unlawful (Mughni al-muhtaj ila ma`rifa ma`ani alfaz al-Minhaj (y73) m, 4.429-30).
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
You can learn a lot by reading Islamic scripture. E.g., “It is permissible to play the tambourine at weddings, circumcisions, and other times, even if it has bells on its sides.” (Even if *what* has bells on its sides?)
Before I read this, I never knew that musical accompaniment for a circumcision is halal. And a visit to YouTube finds this jaunty klezmer bris ditty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr2tIIIj2FE
Walter Sieruk says
“The true face of Islam” may be seen in the jihad-minded Muslims attempted infiltration of and subversion and outright violence of the Western nations.
For many jihadist /Muslims have the Islamic agenda and quest to conquer the nations of the West for Islam. Either “by hook or by crook” as in by engaging in the stealth jihad or in the violent and deadly “jihad of the sword” As seen in this recent jihad attack in Germany which harmed twelve people. Likewise part of all this in is by the Muslim infiltration of the Western countries which is being accomplished by the great number of Muslim migrants who are entering the Western nations.
As a Former Muslim had revealed in his book when he wrote that “there has been large –scale immigration into the West, from Islamic nations…of Muslims who are implacably hostile to the West, have no desire to learn why the West became so rich and tolerant , and certainly have no desire to assimilate. They feel no gratitude of allegiance to their Western host nations; their only obligations are to fellow Muslims.”
The author further clarifies by adding. “The mere presence of so many Muslims in the West had affected the domestic and international behavior of governments, whose foreign policy is dominated by fear of offending their Muslim population ready to riot on the slightest pretext. Those unassimilated Muslims are committed to introducing Islamic laws in the West. , and they are able to do so cleverly exploiting the freedoms created over the centuries by the infidels.” [1]
As for that above statement that the “Muslim population [is] ready to riot on the slightest pretext…” This is valid evidence that the old saying is true .Which is that “Evil is always looking for an excuse.”
On this very important subject another scholar in his book informs the reader that “Islamic involvement in the political process is much more advanced in Europe than in the United States.” and he further makes it known that “Of all the continents of the world, Europe is probably the number one target by Muslim strategists who are seeking world dominance.” [2]
[1] THE ISLAM IN ISLAMIC TERRORISM by Ibn Warraq, page 354
[2] HOW ISLAM PLANS TO CHANCE THE WORLD by William Wagner , pages 176, 195.
thebigW says
“For many jihadist /Muslims have the Islamic agenda and quest to conquer the nations of the West for Islam.”
All Muslims do, ’cause you ain’t a Muslim if you don’t.
eduardo odraude says
Excellent installment in this excellent series.
gravenimage says
+1
FYI says
muslims need to wake up and face the music… there may be trouble ahead
{so,for us infidels}..”While there is moonlight and music and love and romance..let’s face the music ..and dance”.
It would be great if we could be without the moon god cult,humming our different tune..
allah’s hatred of female singers:-
“On the day of resurrection,
allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever
sits listening to a songstress”
Reliance of the traveller
umdat al salik
section r40.1
FOR LISTENING TO A WOMAN SINGING?THAT’S INSANE!
So you can’t listen to a women’s Baptist choir,Maria Callas,Nana Mouskouri,Barbara Streisand{definitely not:she’s Jewish….}or Karen Carpenter{ the Woman with the Pitch Perfect Voice}?
{If you are a muslim …..go listen to Karen Carpenter on You-Tube.And make sure you sit listening to it….}
Seriously ,you cannot listen to a songstress?Of course you can.
Besides in Luke 1 we see “Mary’s Song of Praise”:so by allah’s warped logic,any muslim caught listening to her singing would be tortured.allah also hates musical instruments{WAIT!…Didn’t David play the Lute…?}
The author of that islamic teaching can best be described as being Clinically INSANE.
Either LEAVE islam or…. STAY AWAY from islam..it’s the smart choice.
eduardo odraude says
Among the ancient Jews, iconoclasm proved to be only a stage necessary for what would eventually become the rebirth of images in a new form: personal imagination. With Muhammad, however, iconoclasm was not merely a stage necessary for the later birth of personal imagination. Islamic iconoclasm is one of Muhammad’s ways of controlling and stopping imagination.
Terry Gain says
Obama had a black dog. All the evil in Islam can be whitewashed so long as Muslims control the media and they are prepared to be somewhat flexible. And they do and are. But who knew that so many Muslim men would commit murder for raisins. Raisins? Yes raisins with swelling breasts. Just ask Mangi.
gravenimage says
The curators do a fantastic job of tackling modern shibboleths with intelligence and subtlety. The Taleban detonated the ancient Bamiyan Buddhas and Islamic State exploded parts of Palmyra because the statues and figurative art offended the sensitivities of today’s literalist monotheists. A centuries-long collection of tiles and jugs and other objects shows us that figurative art was normal in the Islamic world…
…………………..,
I have mentioned before that figurative art as a rule only existed in places with strong pre-Islamic figurative traditions, such as Anatolia, Persia, and India. And these traditions seldom survived long after the Islamic conquest.
Moreover, most of this *was not* public art. These were things like illustrated books and jugs and other items made for the personal use of converts to Islam or other more lax Muslims. *Very* little figurative public art survives in Dar-al-Islam, and even less in the most orthodox stretches of the Muslim world. All I can think of are a couple of arches in the former Soviet Asia.
Barbara says
The GOD of ISRAEL says of singing: there are 102 verses
(1Ch 16:9) Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
(1Ch 16:10) Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
(1Ch 16:23) Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
Also a few verses about Musical Instruments:
“(1Ch 16:42) And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.”
(Neh 12:36) “And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.”
(Ecc 2:8) “I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.”
Allah has a forgetful memory: Allah is schizophrenic!!!