Is it obligatory to answer a question about the ruling on music by prohibiting it with a fatwa that it is haram and that its listener is sinful, or is it sufficient to say that one refrains from issuing a fatwa? And is that considered concealing knowledge or a fatwa?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded the conveyance of knowledge and urged it, and he warned against concealing it. Among the proofs for this are his sayings: "Convey from me, even if it is a single verse," and "May Allah illuminate a person who heard something from us and conveyed it as he heard it," and "Whoever is asked about knowledge that he knows and then conceals it, will be bridled on the Day of Resurrection with a bridle of fire." Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) emphasized the necessity of conveying knowledge, citing verses from Surat Al-Baqarah that condemn those who conceal knowledge. Therefore, whoever is asked about a religious matter that he knows must convey it, unless he refers the questioner to someone more knowledgeable than himself. There are ranks of those who issue fatwas: mujtahids (independent jurists) and those who follow the sayings of the imams, and all of them must be wary of speaking about Allah without knowledge.