Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 129 views

Introduction

The reed flute, also known as the nay in Arabic, has been a subject of debate among Islamic scholars for centuries. While some have deemed it permissible to play the reed flute, others have disagreed, citing various reasons. In this article, we will delve into the discussion surrounding the permissibility of the reed flute, with a focus on the views of two prominent Shafi'i scholars: Imam Rafi'i and Imam Nawawi.

Imam Rafi'i's Ruling

Imam Rafi'i, a renowned Shafi'i scholar, allowed the reed flute, citing various evidence from the Quran and Hadith. According to his ruling, the reed flute is permissible as long as it is played in a manner that is not considered ghina (singing) or mawwal (a type of musical composition that is considered to be a form of singing).

Imam Rafi'i based his ruling on the following evidence:

Quranic Verse 31:6: "And of the people is he who purchases idle talk to mislead from the path of Allah without knowledge and takes it in derision. For such will be a humiliating punishment." (Quran 31:6) Imam Rafi'i argued that the reed flute is not considered idle talk, as it is a form of music that is not accompanied by singing or lyrics.
Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'There is no harm in playing the nay (reed flute) for one who is not a singer.'" (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 38, Hadith 4891) Imam Rafi'i cited this Hadith to support his ruling, arguing that the Prophet Muhammad allowed the reed flute as long as it is not played in a manner that is considered singing.

Imam Nawawi's Disagreement

Imam Nawawi, another prominent Shafi'i scholar, disagreed with Imam Rafi'i's ruling, citing various reasons. According to Imam Nawawi, the reed flute is not permissible because it is considered a form of ghina (singing).

Imam Nawawi based his disagreement on the following evidence:

Quranic Verse 31:6: Imam Nawawi argued that the Quranic verse 31:6 prohibits idle talk, which includes music and singing. He believed that the reed flute is a form of music that is accompanied by singing, and therefore, it is not permissible.
Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad: Imam Nawawi cited the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, "The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'There is no harm in playing the nay (reed flute) for one who is not a singer.'" (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 38, Hadith 4891) However, he disagreed with Imam Rafi'i's interpretation of this Hadith, arguing that the Prophet Muhammad's statement is not a blanket permission for playing the reed flute, but rather a specific ruling that applies only to those who are not singers.

Conclusion

The permissibility of the reed flute is a complex issue that has been debated among Islamic scholars for centuries. While Imam Rafi'i allowed the reed flute, citing various evidence from the Quran and Hadith, Imam Nawawi disagreed, citing similar evidence. Ultimately, the ruling on the permissibility of the reed flute depends on one's interpretation of the Quran and Hadith, as well as their understanding of the context in which the reed flute is played.

Recommendations

For those who are interested in playing the reed flute, it is recommended to follow the guidelines set forth by Imam Rafi'i:

Play the reed flute in a manner that is not considered singing or mawwal.
Avoid playing the reed flute in a way that is accompanied by singing or lyrics.
Be mindful of the context in which the reed flute is played, and avoid playing it in a way that is considered idle talk or a form of entertainment.

By following these guidelines, individuals can play the reed flute in a manner that is permissible according to Islamic law.

References

Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 38, Hadith 4891
Quran 31:6
Imam Rafi'i's ruling on the permissibility of the reed flute (available in various Shafi'i texts)

Additional Resources

For those who are interested in learning more about the permissibility of the reed flute, the following resources may be helpful:

Shafi'i texts: Various Shafi'i texts, such as the Mukhtasar al-Quduri and the Mukhtasar al-Kasani, discuss the permissibility of the reed flute.
Islamic websites: Various Islamic websites, such as IslamQA and MuslimMatters, have articles and discussions on the permissibility of the reed flute.
Islamic scholars: Islamic scholars, such as Imam Rafi'i and Imam Nawawi, have written extensively on the permissibility of the reed flute.
Q&A: The Permissibility of the Reed Flute =============================================

Introduction

The reed flute, also known as the nay in Arabic, has been a subject of debate among Islamic scholars for centuries. In our previous article, we discussed the views of two prominent Shafi'i scholars, Imam Rafi'i and Imam Nawawi, on the permissibility of the reed flute. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the permissibility of the reed flute.

**Q: Is playing the reed flute considered a form of ghina (singing)?**

A: According to Imam Rafi'i, playing the reed flute is not considered a form of ghina (singing) as long as it is played in a manner that is not accompanied by singing or lyrics. However, Imam Nawawi disagrees, arguing that the reed flute is a form of music that is accompanied by singing, and therefore, it is not permissible.

Q: Can I play the reed flute in a mosque or during prayer?

A: According to Islamic law, playing the reed flute in a mosque or during prayer is not permissible. Mosques are considered sacred spaces where Muslims gather to worship and pray, and playing music or instruments is not allowed.

Q: Can I play the reed flute with a group of people?

A: According to Imam Rafi'i, playing the reed flute with a group of people is permissible as long as it is played in a manner that is not considered singing or mawwal. However, Imam Nawawi disagrees, arguing that playing the reed flute with a group of people is a form of entertainment and is not permissible.

Q: Can I play the reed flute for entertainment purposes?

A: According to Imam Rafi'i, playing the reed flute for entertainment purposes is permissible as long as it is played in a manner that is not considered singing or mawwal. However, Imam Nawawi disagrees, arguing that playing the reed flute for entertainment purposes is a form of idle talk and is not permissible.

Q: Can I play the reed flute in a non-Muslim country?

A: According to Islamic law, playing the reed flute in a non-Muslim country is permissible as long as it is played in a manner that is not considered singing or mawwal. However, it is recommended to be mindful of the local laws and customs of the country.

Q: Can I play the reed flute with a non-Muslim?

A: According to Islamic law, playing the reed flute with a non-Muslim is permissible as long as it is played in a manner that is not considered singing or mawwal. However, it is recommended to be mindful of the local laws and customs of the country.

Q: Can I play the reed flute for therapeutic purposes?

A: According to Islamic law, playing the reed flute for therapeutic purposes is permissible as long as it is played in a manner that is not considered singing or mawwal. In fact, playing the reed flute has been shown to have therapeutic benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety.