Q: Is listening to songs on the radio and watching them on the TV Haram (prohibited) in Islam, if it is done sometimes at night or in the daytime? Please advise us.
A: Yes, listening to songs and musical instruments is Haram in Islam, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh without knowledge Most of the scholars are of the opinion that 'idle talk' refers to singing and they add to that the sounds of musical instruments, such as mandolins, lutes, violins, and the like. This is because they all mislead from the Path of Allah, harden the hearts, and distract people from listening to the Glorious Qur'an. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) told us that this leads to Dalalah (deviation from what is right) and misguidance of others, and is a cause of spreading pride and turning people away from listening to the Qur'an. If the heart becomes used to listening to music and watching singers it will harden and will be barred away from AlHaqq (the Truth), except those whom Allah protected. It also distracts from obedience to Allah and His Messenger and from listening to the Qur'an and useful speeches. 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Singing grows the seeds of hypocrisy in the heart as water grows the crops." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Verily, among my Ummah (nation based on one creed) there will be people who will deem as lawful: Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery), silk, Khamr (intoxicants) and musical instruments." (Related by AlBukhari in his "Sahih [Book of Authentic Hadith] as Hadith Mu'allaq [a Hadith missing link in the chain of narration, reported directly from the Prophet]) and he confirmed it.The above Hadith informs us that at the end of time there will be people who will deem musical instruments and songs as lawful, although they are Haram.