Is LoFi Halal?

[FarmandeIsMahdi]

Salaams all,

Given that Sistani's definition of haram music is those with "a tune used in the entertainment and amusement gatherings or that it is similar to the tunes used therein", would you categorise LoFi as halal or haram?

Thank you for any and all replies!

[khizarr]

You know, I feel like a lot of these sort of questions are asked because there is already a religious backdrop in place, that anything that deludes you into enjoying pleasures of the world or being involved in its luxuries, gradually disassociates you from God and is therefore "unIslamic" or "haram". Even if there was no hadith or fatwa on music, our foundational religious psyche would collide with music nonetheless, since we would still associate it with entertainment and wordly delusions. I'm not putting you at the spot or pointing fingers at Sistani, but I do feel like one's understanding of what religion is meant to be does effect how you navigate through the religion and life itself. 

With that said, I get a hunch that lofi would still be unacceptable according to Sistani's standards. 

[FarmandeIsMahdi]

Salaams khizarr,

Thank you very much for taking the time to send me a reply.

For me LoFi, instead of drawing me into the pleasures of the world, helps me to accept life's difficulties and get tough work and other unsavoury tasks done, whilst staying calm.

In terms of acceptability according to Sistani's standards, the only way I can think that it contravenes is because of the beat, yet famous nasheeds (such as Salam Farmande) also have a beat in the background... 

[khizarr]

15 hours ago, FarmandeIsMahdi said:

Salaams khizarr,

Thank you very much for taking the time to send me a reply.

For me LoFi, instead of drawing me into the pleasures of the world, helps me to accept life's difficulties and get tough work and other unsavoury tasks done, whilst staying calm.

In terms of acceptability according to Sistani's standards, the only way I can think that it contravenes is because of the beat, yet famous nasheeds (such as Salam Farmande) also have a beat in the background... 

Absolutely understand that. Music has that effect on me as well. This is why I mentioned the thing with having a world-hating religious backdrop, and I feel that we need to move past some of these strict ideas that listening to music or singing or sculpting take you away from God. Even if you were listening to lofi for the purpose of just enjoying or taking a breather from the everyday mundane tasks, I don't find that distasteful. I don't believe religion was meant to micromanage our lives in that way.

Personally, I don't agree with Sistani on many of his fatawa and I don't, generally, refer to him too much, but for those whom Sistani is the point of reference, then I suppose it suffices to say that SIstani would be as reluctant with lofi as he is with other forms of music.

[Ashvazdanghe]

15 hours ago, FarmandeIsMahdi said:

For me LoFi, instead of drawing me into the pleasures of the world, helps me to accept life's difficulties and get tough work and other unsavoury tasks done, whilst staying calm.

In terms of acceptability according to Sistani's standards, the only way I can think that it contravenes is because of the beat, yet famous nasheeds (such as Salam Farmande) also have a beat in the background... 

Salam generally any music which is useful for relaxation or focusing or helps your religion such as Salam Farmande without enetrtaiment is allowed but on the other hand if a music is just for entertainment such as dancing in party so then it's not allowed.

[VoidVortex]

https://islamicpulse.tv/ivideo/halal-vs-haram-music-ghina-total-clarity-biskit-english/

[Abu_Zahra]

On 8/24/2022 at 6:36 AM, VoidVortex said:

https://islamicpulse.tv/ivideo/halal-vs-haram-music-ghina-total-clarity-biskit-english/

I wouldn't consider Islamic Pulse as a reliable authority on this topic or on anything in general. 

A much better reference is the work Greater Sins by Shaheed Dastaghaib:

https://www.al-islam.org/greater-sins-volume-1-sayyid-abdul-husayn-dastghaib-shirazi/fifteenth-greater-sin-music

https://www.al-islam.org/greater-sins-volume-2-sayyid-abdul-husayn-dastghaib-shirazi/sixteenth-greater-sin-singing

[FarmandeIsMahdi]

Hi all,

Thank you for your various replies.

All my reading and research has led me to one simple conclusion: in sum, if it is "suitable for entertainment and amusement gatherings", it is haram. That's what all my reading has yielded to. Now, that just leaves the question: what comprises entertainment and amusement gatherings? Campfires? School plays? Eid get-togethers?

If someone could share their views on what entertainment and amusement gatherings actually entail, I would be very grateful as otherwise, there is an amusement gathering fit for every type of music.

Salaams and duas.

[VoidVortex]

3 hours ago, Mahdavist said:

I wouldn't consider Islamic Pulse as a reliable authority on this topic or on anything in general. 

A much better reference is the work Greater Sins by Shaheed Dastaghaib:

https://www.al-islam.org/greater-sins-volume-1-sayyid-abdul-husayn-dastghaib-shirazi/fifteenth-greater-sin-music

https://www.al-islam.org/greater-sins-volume-2-sayyid-abdul-husayn-dastghaib-shirazi/sixteenth-greater-sin-singing

 

In this case, shaheed dastghayb held a different view to sayed Sistani and I assume most mujtahids did in those time, and I assume there was a whole ban on musical instruments. But sayed Sistani has a different view and to my knowledge the conclusion of sayed Sistani on this topic isn’t covered in the book although I’ve seen sayed Sistani views in the book in later chapter that were added in later editions of the book

[Abu_Zahra]

On 8/24/2022 at 6:51 PM, FarmandeIsMahdi said:

Hi all,

Thank you for your various replies.

All my reading and research has led me to one simple conclusion: in sum, if it is "suitable for entertainment and amusement gatherings", it is haram. That's what all my reading has yielded to. Now, that just leaves the question: what comprises entertainment and amusement gatherings? Campfires? School plays? Eid get-togethers?

If someone could share their views on what entertainment and amusement gatherings actually entail, I would be very grateful as otherwise, there is an amusement gathering fit for every type of music.

Salaams and duas.

Wa alaikum as salam

If this kind of music is used in parties, clubs and concerts then I understand it to fall under the category described above. 

In simple terms most commercial music would be forbidden.  

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) protect us from haram 

[FarmandeIsMahdi]

Thank you very much for your answer; that seems to give a very reasonable set of events to which I can test any music to.

[Botak]

On 8/26/2022 at 10:07 AM, Abu_Zahra said:

Wa alaikum as salam

If this kind of music is used in parties, clubs and concerts then I understand it to fall under the category described above. 

In simple terms most commercial music would be forbidden.  

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) protect us from haram 

Sorry for necro, but isnt that the conclusion that the biskit guy reached? If it could fit in a party or disco than dont listen to it

 

[JannahLM]

On 8/3/2024 at 5:42 AM, Botak said:

Sorry for necro, but isnt that the conclusion that the biskit guy reached? If it could fit in a party or disco than dont listen to it

 

Yes it is. I've seen the video and generally agree with him. Granted, I sort of follow the fringe view that not all music is forbidden. Basically just the stuff that promotes haram, is suitable for clubs/bars, etc.

[Botak]

6 hours ago, JannahLM said:

I sort of follow the fringe view that not all music is forbidden. Basically just the stuff that promotes haram, is suitable for clubs/bars, etc.

Wait, thats a fringe view? I thought thats what I got from the video??

[JannahLM]

7 hours ago, Botak said:

Wait, thats a fringe view? I thought thats what I got from the video??

I'm not sure, but I see most Shias just straight up say Music is haram. Like, I listen to music myself. Mostly things like folk and world music from all over, soundtracks from movies and games, etc. yet somehow I'm still committing haram?!

Edited August 5 by JannahLM

[Botak]

7 hours ago, JannahLM said:

Mostly things like folk and world music from all over, soundtracks from movies and games, etc.

Ayy same, historical song and anthems are my favorite not only because they are niche and fun but also because I doubt those song would fit on some party. (Albeit some of them I feel like count as haram)

I know nasheed and other can be better but I have a habit of daydreaming