Islam is a religion which encourages us to live in reality and not in dreams and intoxication. Musical Instruments are prohibited for Muslims. It is against Allah's rule to listen to songs (that contain music). Why is this prohibition taken too lightly ? However, muslims too are addicted to music. They find no wrong in it. The lyrics of the songs are also mostly vulgar. They praise about love, woman's beauty, etc that instills evil thoughts in the mind and disrupts the spiritual nature of a human.
Let's see an Hadith reported by the highly trusted Sahih Al-Bukhari;
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith - 2.70
Narrated Aisha; Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) came to my house while two girls were singing beside me the songs of Buath (a story about the war between the two tribes of the Ansar, the Khazraj and the Aus, before Islam). The Prophet (p.b.u.h) lay down and turned his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying, "Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet (p.b.u.h)?" Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) turned his face towards him and said, "Leave them." When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signaled to those girls to go out and they left. It was the day of 'Id, and the Black people were playing with shields and spears; so either I requested the Prophet (p.b.u.h) or he asked me whether I would like to see the display. I replied in the affirmative. Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) made me stand behind him and my cheek was touching his cheek and he was saying, "Carry on! O Bani Arfida," till I got tired. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked me, "Are you satisfied (Is that sufficient for you)?" I replied in the affirmative and he told me to leave.
A study of this hadith leads us to the following conclusions.
1. The two girls were minors. The term jaariyataan which Hadhrat Aisha (RA) uses to describe the girls confirms that the girls were minors (na-baaligh).
2. The girls were singing a war song.
3. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (RA) had sternly rebuked Hadhrat Aisha (RA) for allowing the two minor girls to sing even the war song. 4. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated an exception, i.e. the Day of Eid.
5. Hadhrat Aisha (RA) terminated the singing of the girls on the reprimand of her father, hence she indicated to the girls to depart.
6. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) made no attempt to encourage her to continue listening to the singing of the two little girls.
7. The departure of the two girls was most significant.
8. Inspite of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) having said: ‘Leave them.’ they had stopped their singing after hearing Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s rebuke. No one had made an attempt for the continuation of the singing.
It is clear from this hadith that Hadhrat Abu Bakr (RA) might have been aware of the prohibition of musical instruments. Therefore, he was surprised at this incident. Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), with his silence, approved of the action of Hadhrat Aisha (RA) of stopping the singing and indicating the girls to leave and he did not encourage Hadhrat Aisha (RA) to keep listening. Reference to the ‘Day of Eid’ clearly implies that this is an exception to the general rule of prohibition of musical instruments. If this is not taken as an exception it would be meaningless for the Prophet (S) to say that “It is our Eid today”. Analysing the hadith further, we see that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had turned his back to the singing girls and covered himself with a blanket. According to Islamic Shariah, this indicates non-participation of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Therefore, he did not sit as an audience. Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)’s silence indicates that he did not approve of music even on occasions on which he granted (Day of Eid and Marriages) and the proof for this is that the Prophet (S) did not permit musical instruments to be used on his marriages or on the marriages of his daughters. Prior to this incident, the Sahaba were aware of the prohibition of musical instruments and after this incident, became aware that the Day of Eid was an exception.
The reaction of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was very significant. He did not counter the comments made by Hadhrat Abu Bakr (RA) that about the satanic musical instruments. Who taught Abu Bakr (RA) that musical instruments are SATANIC? Did he say himself or did Prophet Muhammed(s.a.w) taught him. Furthermore, Hadhrat Aisha (RA) clarifies in Sahih Bukhari that these girls were not professional singers. Therefore, it implies that musical instruments are prohibited whether they are being used by professionals or not. Also, people quote the ahadith that Hadhrat Aisha (RA) narrated of her childhood. If they read the statements and narrations that she made later in her life, the prohibition of music would become obvious.