What is music, and what is its position among the sources of Islamic legislation? What is singing? What is the ruling on listening to musical pieces that are devoid of words or accompanied by respectful words? Is playing a musical instrument absolutely forbidden, or are there specific cases? Are there musical instruments that Islam has forbidden and others that it has permitted?

Many people confuse musical instruments (ma'azif) with singing (ghina'), and the reason for this is the lack of a precise definition of both terms in the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the statements of the Salaf. Additionally, some scholars use the term ma'azif to refer to singing, and singing nowadays is often accompanied by musical instruments. There is a distinction between ma'azif and music; ma'azif is an Arabic term referring to instruments of amusement that are played, while music is a Greek term applied to the arts of playing musical instruments.

The texts have differentiated between ma'azif and singing. Singing is raising the voice and chanting. Among its types are the singing of travelers and huda' (camel-driving chants), which is permissible as long as it is not accompanied by anything that necessitates its prohibition. As for ma'azif, they are instruments of amusement, and the four Imams have agreed on their prohibition, with the only exception being the tambourine (duff) in certain specific situations.

Singing is originally permissible as long as it is not accompanied by instruments of amusement (ma'azif), or if its lyrics are obscene or objectionable, or if it leads to imitating the dissolute, or to extravagance, or if it is performed by a woman in front of non-mahram men, or if it contains corrupt beliefs or ugliness, or if it is taken as a profession.

Musical instruments (ma'azif) have a negative effect on souls; they can arouse desires and lead to immoral acts.