Two questions submitted to His Eminence, Sheikh `Abdul`Aziz ibn Baz with regard to the ruling on singing.
Q 1: What is the ruling on songs? Are they Haram (prohibited) or not? Note that I only listen to them for amusement. And what is the ruling on playing the instrument of Rababa and listening to old songs? Is playing the drums at weddings Haram although I heard that there is nothing wrong with that? May Allah reward you and lead you to the right path!
The answer: Listening to songs is Haram and a Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). It is a cause of heartlessness that ultimately diverts man from Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) and performing Salah (Prayer). Many scholars explain Allah's saying: And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mean singing. `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) used to swear that the idle talk here refers to singing. Yet, it is even more detestable if singing is accompanied with a musical instrument, such as rababah i.e. Arab fiddle, lute, violin, and drums. Some scholars state that singing accompanied with musical instruments is unanimously forbidden. Hence, it is obligatory to beware of that.
"Verily, among my Ummah (nation) there will be people who will deem as lawful: AlHir, wearing silk [for men], Khamr (alcohol), and musical instruments."
AlHir refers to adultry.
I advise you and everyone else to listen to the Holy Qur'an radio station and Nur `Ala AlDarb (Light on the way) program. They present great benefit instead of listening to songs and musical instruments.
As for wedding parties, it is permissible to strike tambourines in them accompanied with respectful singing free from calling to unlawful acts or praising impermissible matters for the gatherings of women in order to announce marriage and distinguish it from illegitimate relations, as reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). As for drums, it is not permissible to use them in weddings. Only a tambourine is permissible. Furthermore, loud speakers are not permitted in weddings and so are the prohibited songs usually played, because they entail great Fitnah (temptation) and bad consequences as well as harming Muslims. It should be noted that a short time is enough for declaring marriage. Indeed, wasting a lot of time in weddings leads to missing Fajr (Dawn) Prayer, which is one of the worst abominations and acts of hypocrites.