“Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie.”
But you don’t need John Milton to tell you that. Those intoxicating beats, the bass thundering down your eardrums, the weather vibing with the lyrics… who would want to pull away from something seemingly “harmless” and yet so pleasurable at the same time?
My music addiction began with Backstreet Boys’ “Larger than life” (that would tell you how aged I am). And it is an addiction because when you listen to music that moves you, it triggers the release of dopamine— the hormone responsible for making you feel happy. Dopamine is involved in both motivation and addiction.
This is how it works:
At first, music serves as motivation and helps make mundane tasks, like solving maths problems or cleaning the house, more bearable. But as time goes on, the boundaries begin to blur, and music starts crossing into the territory of addiction. Suddenly, you find yourself compulsively relying on music in the background at all times — during showers, while doing homework, during your daily commute, and even during moments of complete nothingness. This is when it transforms into a behavioural addiction, where you become irritable without it and experience withdrawal symptoms when deprived of your musical fix.
But whether or not it is an addiction, is not the question. The real question is— “Are the molvis right? Is music really haraam?”
Well, do you really care?
Then read on. Imagine waking up on the Day of Judgement with the people you love (because according to an authentic hadith, you’ll be resurrected with the ones you love). Yeah, the same people you’ve really felt connected with. Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Taylor Swift…. you know, your crowd that you used to drown out real life with. Imagine waking up with them.
You won’t feel the same dopamine rush then. No feeling of elation, no rhyme or reason, no good vibes from the billboard’s top 50 you used to follow with such devotion. So, the sooner you get out of this illusion that music has lulled you in, the better.
Coming back to the original question, YES, the molvis got it right. Music is haraam.
But before you dismiss this outright, let’s engage in an intellectual discussion and explore the topic further.
Where in the Quran does it say that?
“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah…”. [Quran 31:6]
The scholar of the ummah, Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) said: this means singing. Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) was not an ordinary scholar, but a true authority on Quranic tafsir. You know how we have to consult subject experts on matters we know little of? Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) was that person when it came to interpreting the Quranic verses.
Al-Hasan al-Basri (RA) said: this ayah was revealed concerning singing and musical instruments. Ibn al-Qayyim (RA) said: The interpretation of the Sahabah and Taabi’in, that ‘idle talk’ refers to singing, is sufficient.
“[Allah said to Iblees:] And befool them gradually those whom you can among them with your voice (i.e. songs, music, and any other call for Allah’s disobedience)”. [Quran, 17:64]
Here’s the final nail in the coffin—
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zina, silk, alcohol and musical instruments…” [Bukhaari – 5590]
So let’s not try to find loopholes anymore. Let’s just resolve to wipe our slate clean and try to start over.
I’m in too deep. Is there hope for me?
The struggle is real. It’s been two decades since I gave up listening to music. But that doesn’t mean it does not attract me anymore. The pull is weaker now, but it still exists. It sneaks up on me when I’m at a restaurant and they play catchy songs, or when I’m mindlessly swiping through reels and stumble upon an irresistible tune that makes me want to watch the entire video again. But I let it stop right there. I don’t keep a youtube playlist, a Spotify subscription or songs downloaded from the internet. I’ve deliberately chosen to stay away from that slippery slope, for I do not want to fall down that rabbit hole again.
So how did I break it off with music? I found something better.
The Quran had me on its first verse. Its text holds subtle nuances, evolving connotations, and an incredible ability to make perfect sense from any perspective. It isn’t just poetry or prose; it is something that shattered my preconceived notions and beliefs. Undoubtedly, it became the best thing that ever happened to me.
The void that I had been trying to fill with music instantly found solace in the Quran. I began to understand why people underwent a complete transformation, just by hearing a few verses, like the companions (Sahabah) did in the past. And by “understanding,” I don’t mean just a superficial reading. The translations we grew up with hardly do justice to the profound wisdom embedded in the Book. There’s an entire ocean of knowledge waiting to be explored.
So, if you’re someone who appreciates acoustics and profound lyrics, let me tell you, you have all the qualities of a potential Quran student. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Your life will gain immense depth and purpose like never before.
“Allâh has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Qur’ân), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allâh. That is the guidance of Allâh. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allâh sends astray, for him there is no guide.” [Quran 39:23]
How will I fit in?
Only dead fish go with the flow. The real trend-setters are those who stand out.
The Quran may be not what average cool kids listen to, but it’s a magnetic force that draws in those with a unique taste. It’s the ground truth that resonates with true intellectuals and artists. It speaks directly to your soul and stimulates all the right areas of your brain involved in decision making.
So you want to stand out from the crowd? It’s time to make a bold move—let go of your music. Trade your playlist for a shot at the ‘elite club’. Take the road less travelled. The journey will make you, not break you and it will be worth journaling about. The rewards will surpass your expectations, leaving you with wisdom worth sharing and a profound sense of fulfilment.
