Nasheed programme in the U.K
Question:-
Mufti Saheb, there is a “Nasheed Show” that’s been announced in the UK by a charity group, which many people (including Ulama) have been promoting recently – link + further info can be found here (Please note that there is a picture of the poster showing the cities + faces/names of the Nasheed artists, in case you don’t have a picture blocker installed): https://grtuk.org/event/the-original-nasheed-show/
It should be mentioned that in one of the cities listed, the organizers of the venue tend to allow men and women through the same entrance. The bathrooms (for both genders) are also only on one side of the hall, meaning, when “segregated” events are held, you’d have to go into the opposite side.
Please can Mufti Saheb clarify whether it is permissible to attend?
Answer:-
The purpose and objective of Nazms and Naats (which are generally rendered in the praises of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is to kindle and ignite the love of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. The love of Allah should then spur one on to obey the commands of Allah Ta’ala, whilst the love of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam should spur one on to emulating the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. If the love of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is achieved, then practicing upon the entire Deen will become very easy for a person.
However, the current day Nasheed programmes are purely entertainment. When the Nasheed singers do not abide by the Shariah themselves, which is quite evident from their posters, then how can we expect the love of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam to be transmitted into the hearts of the listeners? The talks of Deen will only affect the hearts of others when the speaker possesses Taqwa himself; but when the speaker is bereft of Taqwa himself, then how will he transmit Taqwa into his audience.
Unfortunately, many of the current day Nasheeds include a musical background which is totally Haraam.
Furthermore, women will be driven out of their homes which is in total opposition to the injunction of the Quraan Sharif which commands women to remain within the confines of their homes and only emerge due to necessity. Here, women will be dressing up for the occasion and attending gatherings where there is a strong possibility of coming into contact with men, which is indeed a means of great Fitnah. Just a single eye contact with the opposite gender in this day and age is sufficient to create havoc.
If the charity organization intends raising funds to assist the poor and needy, then there are alternate ways of doing so which are acceptable in the Shariah such as, requesting the masses to donate or sell items which would bring in funds to assist the needy. Why choose an impermissible method of raising funds for a good cause?
In conclusion, it is not permissible to attend the Nasheed show in question!
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 17 Jumadal Ula 1444 / 12 December 2022