Ruling on working in an Islamic nasheed group

It is permissible to work
in an Islamic nasheed group, if the work is free of anything that is
contrary to sharee’ah and adheres to the following guidelines: 

-1-

The anaasheed should be
performed in front of men only; it is not permissible to perform in the
presence of women, because of the prohibition on mixing, and because of the
evil and corruption to which that may lead. 

-2-

The songs should contain
permissible words only, free from any shameless or licentious content. 

-3-

The anaasheed should not be
accompanied by any musical instruments or tablah drums or daffs, because of
the prohibition on using musical instruments and the prohibition on using
the daff for men, according to the more correct opinion. See question no.
5000,
5011,
20406 and
9290. 

-4-

The anaasheed should not be
accompanied by any sound effects that resemble musical instruments, whether
they are done on the computer or otherwise. 

Shaykh al-Albaani (may
Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There may be another sin
involved in that [i.e., nasheeds], which is that they may be performed in
the manner of immoral songs and performed according to the rules of eastern
or western music which makes the listeners enjoy it and makes them dance and
behave in a foolish manner. So the aim becomes the tune and the enjoyment
thereof, and not nasheed per se. This is a new error, and it is an imitation
of the kuffaar and immoral people. That may lead to a further error, which
is imitating them in turning away from the Qur’aan and forsaking it, and
being included in the general meaning of the complaint of the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): “And the Messenger (Muhammad صلى
الله عليه وسلم) will say: ‘O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this
Qur’aan (neither listened to it nor acted on its laws and teachings)’”
[al-Furqaan 25:30]. End quote from Tahreem Alaat al-Tarb (p.
181).   

It is well known that Islam
forbids listening to musical instruments because of the effect that musical
instruments have on the heart, which may be affected by hypocrisy and
forsaking the word of Allaah, so that it finds no pleasure except in these
songs. It is well known that some of these sound effects have a worse effect
than musical instruments, and their effect on the listener, even if it is no
greater than the effect of musical instruments, is no less either. It is
impossible that Islam would forbid anything because of its corrupting
effects then permit something that is similar to it or worse than it. 

If the sound effects have a
sound that is similar to that of musical instruments, then the ruling on
them is the same as the ruling on musical instruments, i.e., they are
haraam. 

-5-

Pictures of the munshids
(“singers”) should not be put on the covers of their tapes, in an imitation
of the evildoing of pop singers. 

See the answer to question
no. 91142. 

If the work of this group
is free of these haraam issues, then there is nothing wrong with you working
with them. 

You should remember that
there are many ways of earning provision, but the matter needs effort and
hard work. Seek the help of Allaah and do not feel helpless, and do not let
the desire to hasten provision make you seek it by disobeying Allaah. The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Holy
Spirit (Jibreel) has inspired to me that no soul will die until it has
completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear
Allaah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you
should be temped to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow
in coming to him, for that which is with Allaah can only be attained by
obeying Him.” Narrated by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah from the hadeeth of
Abu Umaamah; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no.
2085.  

We ask Allaah to make
things easy for you and to bless you with good provision. 

And Allaah knows best.