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What is the ruling on using music in radio or television programs as an interlude or as background for a documentary, and is this considered among the types of hearing music, not listening to it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Scholars differentiate between samāʿ (hearing) and istimāʿ (listening). Samāʿ refers to what reaches the ear unintentionally, such as music in public transport or from neighbors. There is no need to block one's ears from it unless it causes religious harm. As for istimāʿ, it is intentional and from devices under one's control; it is forbidden and must be stopped. The hadith of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) indicates the permissibility of samāʿ without istimāʿ. Therefore, it is permissible to benefit from useful programs that include music, provided one turns off the radio when the music begins.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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