Is it permissible to assume leadership of Hadith and knowledge councils, to hold judicial office, and to accept the testimony of those who issue fatwas permitting singing and practice it, such as Imam Ibrahim bin Sa’d and Malik bin Anas, considering that some scholars deem singing forbidden and its practitioner sinful?

The answer can be summarized in two points:

1. The story of Ibrahim ibn Sa'd with Al-Rashid is unsound: This story is fabricated and has defects in its chain of transmission, and it is not permissible to use it as evidence. What is mentioned in his biography about his permissibility of singing with the oud is a slip of a scholar that should not be adopted. The scholars of various regions have unanimously agreed on the reprehensibility of singing, except for Ibrahim ibn Sa'd and Ubayd Allah al-Anbari, which is considered a departure from the consensus of the community. Furthermore, the type of singing they permitted differs from the commonly known singing that excites souls.

2. The uprightness of the interpreter (mutawwil) is not invalidated: The uprightness of the interpreter is not invalidated in such matters because he does not believe it to be forbidden, and his action is not considered a sin in his view. Therefore, the uprightness of one whose error stems from interpretation, such as a non-excommunicated innovator (mubtadi') due to his innovation, or an interpreter who is not defiant, or one who drinks nabidh according to a certain madhhab, is not invalidated. This is because their engagement in such acts is due to ignorance or interpretation, while they still hold the sanctity of the religion in high regard and are mindful of Allah, which gives reassurance that they do not intentionally lie.