Can I still listen to music after becoming Muslim?
It depends on which scholars you follow. Many scholars, including the four classical schools, consider musical instruments forbidden, with exceptions like the hand drum (daf) at weddings and Eid. Other scholars, past and present, say music is allowed as long as its content and setting are clean. Everyone agrees that lyrics promoting sin should be avoided.
The stricter view
The main evidence is a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned: "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments as lawful" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5590).
Some companions, like Ibn Mas'ud, also explained "idle talk" in this verse as referring to singing:
The more lenient view
Other scholars, such as Ibn Hazm in the past and some contemporary scholars, question how the hadith should be understood. They point out that on an Eid day, two girls were singing in the Prophet's house. When Abu Bakr objected, the Prophet ﷺ said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid" (Sahih al-Bukhari 952). For these scholars, music is judged by its content and effect.
Common ground
- Avoid songs that glorify sex, drugs, violence or disbelief.
- Don't let music crowd out prayer and the Quran.
- Voice-only nasheeds are widely accepted.
- The daf at weddings and Eid is allowed by almost all scholars.
For new Muslims
You don't have to delete your whole playlist on day one. Many converts change gradually: they drop songs with bad lyrics first, then slowly replace more music with nasheeds, podcasts and Quran recitation. See Can I listen to the Quran while driving or doing chores?
Whichever view you follow, respect Muslims who follow the other one. This is a real scholarly difference, not a test of who's a "better" Muslim. If you're unsure, ask the imam at your local mosque which view they follow and why.
- Scholars differ on music and instruments.
- Most classical scholars forbid instruments, except the daf.
- Everyone agrees to avoid sinful lyrics.
- Change gradually, and respect other views.
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