Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

iam a fitness instructor. i give exercise clasess and music is played in the background. am very restless about it. can i use music in the background if i choose only instrumentals , no lyrics, and we are all ladies. these exercise calsees have been veruy beneficial teh ladies who dont go outdoors to jog or to the gyms. alhamdulillah i have seen ladies becoming healthier and able to lead a better day to day life. i feel a tremendous satisfaction by being able to help them , by the grace of ALLAH. but am vey confused about teh music issue. i have tried these classes without music too but they dont work.

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Answer:

Fitness instructor and music

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

It is indeed a good and noble service you have initiated for the health-conscious women, and established an environment where the believing women do not have to exercise amongst the men. May Allah Subhanah reward you for your intentions and your efforts.

It is indeed unfortunate that along with the permissible act of exercise, the impermissible playing of string music is promoted as a ‘package’! So much so, that it might seem unnatural to exercise without music playing in the background!

But as believers in Allah and the Last Day, we are bound to stay within the boundaries laid down by our Lord and His Messenger (saws). There are several authentic narrations from the Messenger of Allah (saws) where he has specifically prohibited the playing of string music; and it is our duty as believers in Allah and the Last Day to accept as permissible what Allah and His Messenger (saws) declare permissible, and abstain from the forbidden what Allah and His Messenger (saws) have declared forbidden.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.494B Narrated by Abu Amir Abu Malik Al Ashari

that he heard the Prophet (saws) saying, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks, and the use of musical instruments, as lawful.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.70 Narrated by Aisha

Allah's Messenger (saws) 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 (saws) lay down and turned his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying, "Musical instruments of Shaytaan near the Prophet (saws) ?"

Beloved sister in Islam, it is the string music which has been specifically prohibited by the Messenger of Allah (saws); but he (saws) allowed the musical sound played by the ‘daff’ on occasions. Thus if you feel that it might be absolutely impossible to continue the classes without the playing of forbidden music, maybe you could try a selection of music which has been permitted; or some other way whereby one would not be in transgression of the laws of Allah and His Messenger (saws). If you are indeed sincere in your striving never to transgress the laws of Allah and His Messenger (saws) because you fear Allah and the Last Day, it is expected that the Lord will find you a way, Insha Allah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 65 Surah Talaq verse 2: Such is the admonition given to him who believes in Allah and the Last Day. And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan