To seek knowledge

Q 1: What is the legal ruling on poetry, singing, and music, and the ruling on listening to them? Some scholars are of the view that whoever listens to these types of entertainment, his Salah (Prayer) is considered null and void and will not be accepted. Another holds the view that there is nothing wrong as long as the listener is not delighted. I do not know which one I should believe.

A: There are many types of poetry. There is nothing wrong if its content is instructive, supports the truth, and revokes falsehood and so on. However, the type whose content is false, supports falsehood, revokes the truth, lauds evil people, slanders the pious, is evil and is not permissible. The Salah of the person who listens to music and singing is not considered to be null and void as long as its basic obligations and pillars are performed and its conditions are met. Rather, the person hopes that his Salah will be accepted; and whether or not this hope is achieved is one of the matters of the Ghayb (the Unseen) which no one knows but Allah (Exalted be He). A Muslim should abandon singing and music and listening to them, and observe Salah and other acts of worship that show his obedience to Allah (Exalted be He). Additionally, he should ask Allah (Exalted be He) to accept his acts and to forgive his sins.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!