What is the ruling on music?

There are different types of singing, and each type has a ruling: 1. Singing accompanied by musical instruments and amusement (music): Listening to it is unanimously forbidden for both men and women. A group of scholars have related the consensus on its prohibition. It is the emblem of drinkers and the immoral, and it incites desires. The Qur'an and Sunnah indicate its prohibition. From the Sunnah is the Hadith: "There will be people from my Ummah who will legitimize Khamr (intoxicants), Al-Hir (illicit sexual intercourse), silk, and Al-Ma'azif (musical instruments)." And Allah (the Most High) said: "And among the people is he who buys Lahw Al-Hadith (amusing talk) to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment." As for playing the Daff (tambourine), it is permissible for women on Eids and at weddings, provided that the accompanying words have a good meaning, are not obscene, and are restricted to women.

2. Singing without instruments: If it is a woman singing to men: It is undoubtedly forbidden. However, if she sings to women with good words on an occasion like a wedding, that is permissible. If it is a man singing: One considers the type of words. If they are good, inviting to virtue and goodness, a group of scholars have permitted it. If they are bad, inviting to vice, or describe women or intoxicants, then it is forbidden. The ruling on listening is based on the ruling of the singing itself.