Hello.
I am quite confused about the position of music in Islam. The majority opinion seems to be that it is forbidden.
But what about Sufism?
Maybe you have heard of people like Richard Thompson, Junoon, Art Blakey and others. They play jazz, rock, folk and other 'western' styles of music while considering themselves Muslims (or Sufi).
How do you view these people?
I'm asking because, as an amateur musician myself, and someone who finds Islam increasingly truthful, I have this obvious dilemma.
I'd like to hear your opinions please.
Thanks.

Matt

Hi Matt

firstly Sufism is part of Islam not something sperate, it is the heart or soul of Islam. Take out someones heart you have robots following books of Rules which they dont really understand.

Islam is somethine natural and moves with the times thus the Sufi is called 'Sufi ibn al waqihi the Son of the Time or Moment'.

Meaning understand the time you live in and the social parameters you can work within Islamic rules.

As for your Question now
Sama-Mystical Music
Sama falls into that legal classification of acts which are technically called 'Mubah', which mean that they are Permitted by the Shariah, but have no religious value or significance. For a good purpose it is legally permissible, but if it is used for an undesirable or an evil purpose, then it becomes forbidden.

In other words, Sama or Qawwali falls under the neutral category. There are four situations of sama:

please see the link

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Also Matt are you in the UK or not..? --does this help you answer your Question also i have Muslim friends that are musicians and others i know Good Convert Muslims that are musicians too..! i'm sure you have heard of Cat Stevens and maybe not Dawud (David) Wharnsby Ali

Dawud (David) Wharnsby Ali

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Idris Phillips

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SAMA . . .LISTENING TO MUSIC

....Know then, that whoever is overcome by the love of God and who yearns to see Him, finds that listening to music is a stimulant that excites his holy desire and further serves to strengthen his love and ardent yearning by bringing it out into the open. Listening brings out the hidden fire from his breast and makes it visible in elevated states, through clear manifestation and mutual enlightenment.

This cannot take place within an obstructed heart itself. Know that if anyone is destined to experience His grace, and to have these blessings showered upon him, then in the language of the Sufis, these exalted states are referred to as ecstatic outpourings.

At this stage, listening to music is not only lawful but desirable! Some even say that it is necessary for this step to be taken, because although something may be fanciful in this world, when it reaches the stage of hearing God Himself, it becomes something truly wonderful. How greatly a person can be transformed in his very essence! Whatever comes to him then will also be transformed.....

please read full text see link

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Is Qawwali considered to be music?

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Sufi Music and Dance

The practice of music and dance in Sufism, is rather contentious. It is by no means universally accepted by all Sufis as some Sufi orders frown upon it. Others [may] rejoice in the recitation of mystical poetry, accompanied by musical instruments and performed as part of their prayers and devotions. Some Sufis consider such music conducive to "mystical ecstasy." These Sufis maintain that music can arouse passion - either sensual or spiritual. It is spiritual passion (longing for God) which is the Sufi's goal. Hence musical concerts are a regular feature of some Sufi orders.

The Sufi dance that is much talked about in the West, belongs to one Sufi order, founded by a Sufi master JALALUDDIN RUMI who lived around 1100 AD. This dance is known in the West as the dance of the "whirling dervishes." Actually, the dance is performed by the Sufis from that order under strict and controlled conditions, led by a Sufi master. The "steps" and "motions" symbolically depict the "cosmos in motion."

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Many Music instruments were made by Muslims, the great Sufi master Mawlana Rumi made of them and so did the Great Sufi School of the Chistiyyah Tariqah and they were strict within islamic Code.

Music by the Sufis of the Chishti Order
...The Sufis have used music not as an amusement, but as purification, as prayer to God. The Chishti Order of Sufis especially uses music. This Order exists chiefly in India, and has come from Russia. Chishti in Russian means pure, and Sufi - sara - means pure. There are different means of purification. It is according to our view that all seems good, or that all seems bad. The old Greek motto says: 'Evil is to him who thinks evil'. What may seem an amusement, something light, is prayer to God. There are different ways of praying to God. In times when the world was most interested in music, art, science, and in amusement, these were used to bring before people the idea of something higher...

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see this Finally
Recent Interview With Pop Star Cat Stevens Yusuf Islam

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Yusuf Islam in his latest TV interview with the ex-BBC Director Alan Yentob. Aired in June 2006. They Discuss Yusuf's Life and how he came from being Cat Steven World Famous Popstar to him finding Islam.

Matt, Salaams..

You do was you feel is right. We all choose our own choices when it comes to expresing oneself. For some this is music, for some this is peotry or espressive arts.

In my opnion (which is my own) music is soul soothing (as long as its not 50 cent or modern rap!) I do not see the problem.

Music has been in mankind since the beginning of time..