What is the ruling on a tambourine made of glass or plastic, while retaining its original shape?
The duff (tambourine) is a musical instrument explicitly exempted from the prohibited instruments of amusement. It is circular in shape, made of a wooden frame over which a thin skin is stretched, and it produces a sound when struck. Its ruling does not change if the skin is replaced with glass, as long as the sound produced is the same. The evidence for its permissibility is what Al-Rabi' bint Mu'awwidh narrated: that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, entered upon her while young girls were playing the duff and lamenting the martyrs of Badr. And also his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "The distinction between lawful and unlawful is the duff and the voice."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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