Does Music Break Your Fast? The Islamic Ruling You Must Know! | Belal Assaad

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the permissibility of listening to music in Islam, particularly during Ramadan. He explains that while the majority of scholars consider music to be Haram, a minority permits it under strict conditions. However, the speaker advises avoiding music altogether, especially during Ramadan, as it may diminish the rewards of fasting. Instead, he encourages focusing on acts of worship like listening to the Quran and Nasheed. The core message is to aim for spiritual growth during Ramadan by avoiding distractions, including minor sins, and striving to get closer to Allah.

Takeaways

• 😀 The majority of scholars in Islam believe that music is haram (forbidden), except in specific situations like weddings where instruments like the duff (one-tone tambourine) are allowed.
• 😀 A minority of scholars, such as Ibn Taymiyyah, argue that certain types of music may be permissible if they meet 16 conditions, but these are rarely applicable to popular music.
• 😀 Listening to music does not break the fast during Ramadan, but it diminishes the reward of fasting, similar to how slacking off at work reduces the value of the day's pay.
• 😀 While minor sins like listening to music or looking at haram things don't break the fast, they lower its reward, making the fast less spiritually valuable.
• 😀 Fasting is compared to work: if you do it with distractions (sins), you’ll earn less reward, but if you stay focused and avoid sin, you’ll earn full rewards.
• 😀 The speaker advises avoiding music altogether, especially in Ramadan, and replacing it with beneficial activities like listening to the Qur'an or nasheeds without musical instruments.
• 😀 Ramadan should be a time of increased devotion and worship, and Muslims should aim to do more than just avoid haram actions, striving for higher spiritual closeness.
• 😀 Even actions that are not strictly haram but are disliked should be avoided during Ramadan to maximize the spiritual benefits of the month.
• 😀 The goal during Ramadan is not just to abstain from haram but to improve your worship and behavior, aiming for a closer relationship with Allah.
• 😀 The speaker uses the analogy of someone burned by a barbecue to illustrate the harm of sin, urging Muslims to take their spiritual journey seriously and avoid actions that reduce the value of their worship.

Q & A

What is the general Islamic ruling on listening to music?

The majority of scholars, both past and present, consider music to be Haram in general, with few exceptions, such as during weddings or special occasions where instruments like the Duff (a one-tone tambourine) are allowed.

What are some conditions under which certain types of music may be permissible according to some scholars?

A minority of scholars, including Ibn Hazm, argue that music can be permissible under certain conditions, such as if it doesn't distract from worship, doesn't include derogatory or sinful words, and doesn't promote a sinful lifestyle.

What is the ruling on listening to music during Ramadan?

Listening to music during Ramadan is considered a minor sin, not something that breaks the fast. However, it diminishes the rewards of fasting and reduces the spiritual benefit of the month.

Does listening to music break your fast in Ramadan?

No, listening to music does not break the fast in Ramadan. However, engaging in such actions can lower the reward of fasting, similar to how not working effectively can reduce a person's pay.

What does it mean that minor sins affect fasting?

Minor sins during fasting do not invalidate the fast, but they reduce the reward of the fast. It's comparable to going to work but not performing at your best, where you still worked but did not earn the full reward.

What is recommended for Muslims during Ramadan instead of listening to music?

It is highly recommended to focus on worship, particularly listening to the Quran, and engaging with Nasheeds (Islamic songs) without musical instruments. Ramadan should be a time for spiritual growth and avoiding distractions.

Why is it important to avoid music during Ramadan even if it's not unanimously considered Haram?

Even though the ruling on music isn't unanimous, avoiding it during Ramadan is recommended to ensure that the month is spent in the most beneficial way, drawing closer to Allah and increasing one's good deeds.

What is the significance of avoiding even disliked actions during Ramadan?

Ramadan is a time for self-discipline and striving for betterment. Avoiding not only Haram but also disliked actions (Makruh) can help a person elevate their spirituality and approach the month with sincerity and devotion.

How does the example of the Prophet's statement about the grave relate to Ramadan?

The Prophet's statement illustrates the importance of performing extra acts of worship, even those not obligatory, because in the afterlife, the opportunity to worship Allah will be greatly cherished. Ramadan is a time to do more than the bare minimum.

How should young people approach questions about what is Haram or Halal during Ramadan?

Instead of focusing on the technicalities of what is Haram or Halal, young people are encouraged to strive for better behavior during Ramadan, avoiding sinful actions, and trying to draw closer to Allah through worship and good deeds.