How can it be said that singing is forbidden, given that singing is not unlawful unless it leads to corruption and deviation from obedience, and given the saying, "Hearts, if they tire, become bored, and if they become bored, they become blind"?

Recreation in Islam is permissible and even encouraged, within the bounds of Islamic law. It helps a Muslim endure the hardships of life, provided it does not contradict Islamic injunctions or distract from an obligatory act of worship. The Sunnah (definition) has indicated the principle of "an hour for this, and an hour for that" in refreshing hearts.

Recreation can have a devotional dimension if it is intended as an act of nearness to Allah or to strengthen one's ability to obey Him. However, linking recreation with prohibited acts is astonishing, as musical instruments and musical entertainment are forbidden by the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the consensus of scholars. Therefore, playing them or listening to them is not permissible. This prohibition is not out of rigidity, but rather it is what the Qur'an and Sunnah have indicated.

The criterion for distinguishing between what is permissible and what is forbidden is to refer back to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him), and to consult trustworthy scholars.