What Should I Do? Music at a Religious Gathering?

Details about the situation

Zainab is a 28-year-old dental student in Toronto. She has always loved attending community events, especially those that honor the Prophet Muhammad and his family (pbut). This year, a large Mawlid (birth celebration of the Prophet) is being hosted by a local community group at a banquet hall. It promises beautiful Quran recitation, poetry, speeches, and food.

When Zainab arrives, she’s warmly welcomed. The room is filled with families, and the energy is festive. As she takes her seat and the program begins, she notices that background music is playing softly over the speakers — melodic, but clearly instrumental.

Later, during intermissions between speeches and nasheeds, recorded songs with instrumental accompaniment are played, and some people clap along. Zainab feels uneasy. She’s heard different opinions about music in Islam and wonders: Is it permissible to stay? Should she leave? What’s the right thing to do?

Background

Islamic scholars, including Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, distinguish between permissible and impermissible music. The ruling generally depends on the type of music and the setting.

According to Sayyid Sistani, music that is of the kind commonly used for entertainment gatherings and amusement (lahw) is haram (forbidden).

Attending gatherings where haram music is played can also become problematic, especially if:

• One knowingly participates or supports the haram element
• The environment encourages sin, heedlessness, or disrespect of Islamic boundaries

However, if a person attends for a good purpose (like honoring the Prophet), and does not support or approve of the haram aspect, and the gathering as a whole is not promoting sinful behavior, then it may be permissible to stay, especially if leaving would cause unnecessary social disruption or division.

Ruling

Listening to haram music is not permitted, even if the overall gathering is religious in nature. A believer should try to avoid remaining in environments where haram elements dominate.

If the situation arises unexpectedly, one should politely excuse themselves rather than sit through it, especially if their presence might be seen as approval. However, if leaving immediately would cause undue embarrassment or misunderstanding, they can disengage inwardly and seek a respectful way to step out soon after.

Action

When the musical intermission begins again, Zainab decides to quietly excuse herself. She steps out to make wudu and returns once the recitation resumes. Her intention remains to honor the Prophet and participate in what is spiritually beneficial.

After the event, she shares her reflections with a close friend who was also there, mentioning how including music might make some attendees uncomfortable. Later, when speaking with one of the organizers she knows personally, she gently raises the point:

“The program was so beautiful, mashAllah. I just wondered if in the future, maybe we could avoid instrumental tracks — I think more people would feel comfortable that way.”

Her sincerity and respectful tone make her feedback both heard and appreciated.