Are songs forbidden, even Prophetic eulogies?
Songs that include something forbidden, or are accompanied by something forbidden like musical instruments (other than the duff), are forbidden by the agreement of jurists. Even if they are devoid of forbidden meanings, this is the well-known position in the four madhhabs, based on the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "There will certainly be people among my nation who will consider unlawful sexual intercourse, silk, intoxicants, and musical instruments to be lawful."
However, if songs are free of forbidden words and meanings, and are not accompanied by anything forbidden, jurists have differed concerning them, holding three opinions: absolute prohibition, dislike (karaha), and permissibility. The most preponderant view is permissibility. This is because the Prophet, peace be upon him, permitted them on Eid, and they are recommended for announcing marriage. Nevertheless, Muwaffaq Ibn Qudamah transmitted the prohibition of adopting singing as a profession, and refraining from it is preferable and safeguards one's religion and time.
Prophetic eulogies (madaih nabawiyya) are permissible if their meaning is sound, they do not contain shirk or exaggeration, and they are not accompanied by forbidden instruments, or if the intention behind their performance is not to create a path that rivals legitimate Shariah paths.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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