Very briefly, I do some exercises, and sometimes I do work such as programming. I know that listening to songs is haraam, but if I listen to songs whilst doing these kinds of things, does that make doing these things haraam? In other words, if I earn money from programming whilst listening to songs, does that mean the money is haraam?
Praise
be to Allah.
Firstly:
If the songs are accompanied by musical
instruments, then it is haraam to perform them and to listen to them,
whether they are sung by a man or a woman, and whether the song is a love
song or motivational or religious. No exception is made from that apart from
songs that are accompanied by the daff (hand drum) at weddings, on Eid and
when an absent loved one returns. This has been discussed in detail in the
answers to the following questions: 5000,
20406 and 43736.
But with regard to songs that are free of
musical accompaniment, if it is sung by a woman to men, then it is haraam.
If it is sung by a man, with permissible words, then it is permissible, such
as Islamic nasheeds that are free of musical accompaniment. Nevertheless, it
is not appropriate to listen to them a great deal or become preoccupied with
them.
More than one of the scholars has narrated
that there was consensus on the prohibition on listening to music. Please
see questions no. 107572 and 78223.
Secondly:
If a person listens to haraam songs whilst
working or exercising, then he has sinned by listening to music, but that
does not affect the ruling on his work or exercise. If he works in
programming, doing something that is permissible, and earns money, then this
is permissible money because it results from doing permissible work, namely
programming.
But the wise man should think of investing
his time in that which will benefit him. Focusing on remembering Allah, may
He be exalted, or listening to Qur’an, or listening to beneficial words
whilst exercising, for example, will earn dozens or hundreds of hasanaat
(rewards for good deeds), whereas listening to music or songs may incur a
burden of hundreds of sayi’aat (bad deeds), whilst being a waste of time and
causing one to miss out on opportunities to do good. Moreover, he will also
miss out on the benefits of Qur’an and dhikr, which help one to remain
steadfast, bring joy to the soul, and purify the place. What comparison can
there be between the words of the Most Merciful and the musical instruments
of the Shaytaan?
We ask Allah to enlighten your heart,
forgive your sin and enable you to focus on obedience to Him and that which
will bring you closer to Him.
And Allah knows best.
