Is listening to songs and music - including the music in news broadcasts and animated cartoons - forbidden, and what is the evidence for that?

It is not permissible to listen to singing from the radio or television, because it is the voice of Satan and incites the lust for sin. Mujahid interpreted Allah's saying: "And incite [to evil] whoever you can among them with your voice" (Quran 17:64) as referring to amusement and singing. Ibn Mas'ud swore that "idle talk" in Allah's saying: "And among the people is he who buys idle talk" (Quran 31:6) refers to singing. Imam Ahmad said: "I do not like singing, because it cultivates hypocrisy in the heart." Listening to it from television may be even more dangerous if it is accompanied by looking at forbidden images. Listening to music is forbidden because it involves musical instruments and instruments of amusement, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "There will be among my Ummah people who will consider unlawful sexual intercourse, silk, intoxicants, and musical instruments as lawful." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, mentioned that "Two voices are cursed: the voice of a pipe (musical instrument) at a blessing, and the voice of wailing at a calamity." Al-Hasan said: "Two voices are wicked and abominable: a voice at a blessing and a voice at a calamity."