Listening to songs and Music in Wuzu

Question: Can a person with wuzu (ablution) listen to songs and music?

Answer:     Listening to music or songs is impermissible according to Islamic Shariah and is a sin as well. The Hadith have strict warnings and prohibitions about it. Regarding the prohibition of singing songs and playing music, there is a Hadith mentioned in Imam Baihaqi (Shu’ab-ul-Iman Vol No. 4, Pg No: 972):

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jaber bin Abdullah (May Allah SWT be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said Singing songs and listening to music cultivates hypocrisy in heart as water cultivates greenery. 

Devils dance on the shoulders of the person singing songs or listening to music as described in the hadith in (Tafseerathe Ahmadiya’ Pg No: 400):

Translation: Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said the person who raises his pitch of voice for the songs, Allah SWT sends two devils on him, one on his right shoulder and the other on his left shoulder and the two constantly dance on his shoulders until the person himself keeps quiet. 

Translation: All sorts of things which make a person heedless (of Allah SWT) are unlawful. (Durre Mukhtar’ Vol No. 5 Kitabul Hazr wal Ibaha’ Pg No: 522)


Therefore it is not at all permissible for any Mo’min (believer) to sing a song or listen to music irrespective of whether he is in a state of wuzu or not. It is necessary to avoid it all the time.