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:

You have earlier mentioned that listening to music which is related to indecency, fahisha, love etc. is prohibited. Our famous singer the late Mohammed Rafi I heard was a very religious person, so strict about the prayer, once because he was praying, he made it late for a concert. If he was so religious then do you mean to say his job of singing is prohibited? Then where does he stand?

Then what about the Muslim actors like Saira Banu, Salman Khan, Sharukh Khan etc. I don`t think they have any religion in them. Do you think all they are doing on the screen is against the principles of Islam? I have even seen Saira Banu in mini skirt, let alone her hair uncovered and acting in love scenes. The worst case I think was Zeenat Aman. What is their position and why are they doing all these? Could you clarify please?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Actors and singers judgement

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, it is not up to us or any human being to take the role of being a judge upon himself and decide what exactly will happen to another individual in the Court of Allah Subhanah! It is Allah Subhanah Alone Who Will Decide with Absolute Truth and Justice regarding the exact fate and condition of each and every individual on that Inevitable Day of Judgment.

The absolute maximum one can do is, in light of the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, determine whether or not one amongst the prescribed boundaries of Allah Subhanah are transgressed by the act or deed of an individual.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 33:

33 Say: ‘The things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: ‘faahisha’ (shameful deeds) whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.’

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 151:

151 Say: "Come I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from: join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents: kill not your children on a plea of want; We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not even near ‘faahisha’ (shameful deeds) whether open or secret; take not life which Allah hath made sacred except by way of justice and law”: thus doth He command you that ye may learn wisdom.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.494B Narrated by Abu Amir

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.”

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3153 Narrated by Muhammad ibn Hatib al-Jumahi

The Prophet (saws) said, "The distinction between what is lawful and what is unlawful is the song and the tambourine at a wedding."

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4909 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say: ‘Singing (of unlawful songs) produces hypocrisy in the hearts.’

If the acts or deeds of the people mentioned propagated or indulged in ‘fahisha’, indecency, shameful deeds, etc…..they indeed would be held accountable for transgressing a clear boundary of Allah Subhanah in The Lord’s Majestic Presence on the Day of Resurrection; and it is Allah Subhanah Alone Who will weigh and determine their good and their evil, and it is Allah Subhanah Alone Who will deliver His Judgment for each and every individual in creation.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 99 Surah Zalzalah verses 6-8:

6 On that Day (of Judgment) will men proceed in companies sorted out to be shown the deeds that they (had done).

7 Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good see it!

8 And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 160:

160 Any that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: any that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil. No wrong shall be done unto (any of) them.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan