Is it permissible to attend mandatory music classes at school to avoid failure, with the intention of seeking forgiveness afterward?
Listening to music and musical instruments, except for the drum (duff), is prohibited. However, if absence from a music class leads to failure or a reduction in grades, then attendance is permissible, because what is prohibited as a preventative measure (sadd al-dhari'ah) is allowed out of necessity (hajah). If the student can distract himself or avoid listening, then he must do so. Ibn al-Qayyim and Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen mentioned that what is prohibited as a preventative measure is permissible out of necessity. Sheikh Sulaiman al-Majid issued a fatwa stating that if there are no schools free of music, then there is no harm in studying in schools that have a short weekly music class, provided that students are taught the prohibition of music, and that abandoning education is a greater harm.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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