Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo

Life TV’s "Daring Question," hosted by Rashid and Ahmed, recently ran a show dedicated to examining “Islam and the Arts.” Rashid initiated the program by asking a simple and straightforward question: Would there ever have been a Bach or Beethoven or Mozart if they were born Muslim and raised in Muslim countries?

As typical with the show, Rashid asked the Arabic viewers the central question: “Is Islam against the Arts?” Viewers interested in responding call in and press one digit for yes, another for no. (Rashid went on to say that those interested in learning more about Christianity or simply looking for counseling can press digit X. He then added, somewhat whimsically, that those interested in calling to tell us to “burn in hell” can press digit, “May God forgive you!”)

The show began by depicting various video clips of prominent sheikhs and ulema, including Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Zughbi and Hussein Ya’qub all condemning music and song from an Islamic paradigm. Ya’qub concluded his diatribe against song by saying “If the whole world approves of something, but Islam condemns it, that settles it. Are music and song forbidden? Yes they are—according to both the book [Koran] and Sunna. The matter is settled.”

Rashid’s colleague Ahmed next provided some of the Islamic texts that forbid music. He quoted from Ibn Taymiyya, who, in his Fatwas, asserts that all four madhhabs (schools of jurisprudence) forbid song and music—except during weddings and in the jihad (an odd dichotomy to say the least, and one recently alluded to by Hamas). He further quoted a hadith of the caliph Omar reportedly plugging his ears with his fingers whenever he heard a pipe being played, saying that that’s what Muhammad used to do, and thus eschewing music is “sunna.”

As a former Muslim, Ahmed discussed how he used to buy music tapes in the past, only to grow pious and throw them away, and then “as the dog returns to his vomit,” go buy more tapes. He explained how difficult it was for him as a Muslim, since he was naturally drawn to music, but simultaneously felt that he was sinning.

The hosts further stressed that the reprobate status of music within Islam has nothing to do with whether the music and lyrics are “good” (peaceful, glorifying of God) or not. They are evil in principle. Rashid quoted Bach saying that one of the most sublime aspects of music is to worship God: “So why does Allah forbid it?”

They went on to indicate that the Bible—both Old and New Testaments—is supportive of song and music. They offered anecdotes such as David singing and dancing for “joy in the Lord,” and offered textual evidence such as Psalms 33 and 150.