Nowadays, music isn’t considered haram. In fact, many Muslims can’t stop listening to music even for a day.
This has taken the form of an addiction. And it doesn’t affect individuals alone, it affects societies.
It might sound harsh that we’re criticizing music when it makes you feel so good. But if you see it from a Muslim’s eyes, you will know quitting it is an act of submission and obedience to Allah.
However, we’re putting religious prohibition aside for a moment. In this post, we’re more concerned about the logical aspects of music addiction.
Myth: Music is a Mood-Lifter
Let’s see whether music does any good for your long-term mental health.
Music is food for the soul.
Arthur Schopenhauer, to whom the above statement is attributed, was also known as the philosopher of pessimism. A bit ironic, right?
Anyway, let’s focus on the statement and not the person.
So, generally, what is the function of food? To provide nutrition and fill your stomach when you’re hungry.
Here are some scenarios where your soul needs some ‘food’. We’ve also mentioned how music feels at such moments.
Examples to Bust the Myth
Scenario 1: You’re sitting in a room depressed, and you hear rock music blaring out of the speakers nearby. Now, will that change your mood for the better? Unlikely. You probably feel like a headache coming on.
Scenario 2: You’re sitting in a room depressed, and soft, classical music plays next door. Would you feel happier or even worse than before? Maybe just indifferent at best. You don’t mind, but it also doesn’t help.
By these examples, music doesn’t remedy a soul. It doesn’t help when you’re depressed. It probably makes matters worse.
The purpose of using different genres in both examples is to dispel the notion that certain music caters to a particular mood. This is also mere hearsay.
Addressing Arguments in Favor of Music
Now that we’ve highlighted the uselessness of music in severe mental health issues, let’s talk about normal scenarios. You may argue that the above scenarios were extraordinary hence music did not seem pleasant.
There’s no denying that the effect of music on the listeners is similar to a trance. It numbs the pain momentarily. And it replaces your real feelings with some alien, far-off sentiments that may not even apply to your situation.
Difficult to grasp, but that’s what happens. Otherwise, you wouldn’t relate to every new music piece you hear, that too from various artists. It makes you transcend the boundaries of real life. Kind of the opposite of attentiveness.
That numbing agent might help in the short run but has adverse effects on mental health in the long run. That’s what alcohol does too. It intoxicates you. And intoxicants are haram in Islam.
But even if we ignore that for a second, all the characteristics of an addiction are present in music listening. Just the idea of someone talking against it irks addicts.
Ask yourself: do you want an artificially created happiness? Or, do you want genuine, long-lasting contentment? For the latter, you must find halal forms of entertainment.
Understanding the Consequences
In the long run, music acts as an aspirin, at best. It will cure the symptoms but never eliminate the root cause. It’s not an antibiotic.
For the kind of stressful environment we live in, you need something stronger. Something that soothes and has a bigger purpose.
Meaningful Lyrics vs Pure Noise
This may seem a little weird. But hear us out.
People who focus on deep, meaningful lyrics and slow melodies will find it easier to stop listening to music. That’s because adrenaline is not the problem here. It is just a matter of replacing the current content consumption with something more intelligent.
On the other hand, if drum beats and rock vocals attract you to a song, you’ll have more trouble breaking free from the addiction. It will take some time for you to embrace silence and ask some difficult questions.
Religious Aspect: Music-Listening Habit in Muslims
As Muslims, we’ll be held accountable for each moment spent on Earth. And that day, we’ll have no justification for the immoral content consumed.
Most lyrics these days are either vulgar or normalize haram deeds. And the effect of these instruments of satan is so strong that it makes you negligent about religious obligations. It weakens your faith.
Is Music Really Haram?
That’s a question many Muslims can’t stop asking. The short answer is, yes. Music is haram and there’s beating about the bush regarding this issue.
As believers, we hear and we obey Allah’s commands no matter how hard it gets. That’s the test.
How Can I Stop Listening to Music?
If it has already occurred to you to stop listening to music, congratulations. You’re one step closer to transforming your life and moving towards halal entertainment.
The First Step
Speaking of that, a temporary solution is to search for songs without musical instruments. There are often vocal-only versions available on YouTube.
Gradually, start paying attention to the lyrics. Be more mindful of the message they convey.
Listening to something controversial for a long time corrupts your brain. So start questioning your music choices.
What Happens When You Start Trying
Do you know what happens when you take a step towards Allah? Even if it is the smallest, most insignificant one?
To answer that, we’re quoting a part of a Hadith Qudsi:
And if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.
How beautiful is that? This should reassure you that as long as keep trying, Allah will make the next step easier for you.
The Second Step: Level Up
The next step is to get familiar with nasheeds. These are instrument-free poems or inspirational songs in line with Islamic values. For example, they could talk about faith, hope, gratitude, and more.
Build a playlist of nasheeds that appeal to you the most. Here are some recommendations of nasheed artists you could search:
English Language: Yusuf Islam, David Wharnsby
Arabic Language: Ahmed Bukhatir, Muhammad Al Muqit
Urdu/Hindi: Junaid Jamshed, Aqib Farid
If you don’t understand any of these languages, you could search for nasheeds in your language. Or, you could enjoy these with subtitles so that you understand the meaning.
Meanwhile…
While you build a playlist of your favorite nasheeds, try to understand the meaning of the Quran. Start with the opening Surah, since we repeat this several times a day. Go deeper into the meaning and ponder over it.
You could use Quran translation or tafseer, a video lecture, or consult someone with religious knowledge. Just absorb each verse and its meanings.
The Third Step: Switch to Quran Recitation
After knowing the meanings, you’ll feel different whenever you listen to (or recite) Surah Fatiha. So, search for Quranic recitations and choose the reciter you better understand.
That’s it. Do this for every Surah until you finally stop listening to music. And trust us, that’ll happen soon enough.
Remember…
When the Quran is played, you must give it your undivided attention. And this might not be possible all the time for example when you’re in a car with a group of friends.
On such occasions, you can still play nasheeds or listen to an Islamic podcast. When you have a pure intention to stop listening to music, many options are available. It’s the first step that is the hardest, that is to make a firm decision.
Are There Any Exceptions?
The only instrument allowed is the duff, that too on Eid and wedding functions. Otherwise, musical instruments are strictly prohibited in Islam.
The Best Approach
Ideally, you shouldn’t need a stepwise approach to stop listening to music. Once you realize it is haram, you should quit cold turkey. Because when an order comes, the believers say we hear and we obey.
But after years of conditioning, some may find it hard to believe that music is haram, let alone stop listening to it. Nonetheless, it’s important to start somewhere. Even if you’re just researching to prove someone wrong, research!
In the end, we want to say, don’t give up. If you end up sinning again and again, repent and try to get back on track. Whether you want to stop listening to music and quit another sin, Allah sees your efforts and He’ll reward you soon.