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What does the Quran say about the status and importance of sufi songs (qawwali)?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Darulifta-Deoband.com
I would like to know about the status and importance of sufi songs(qawwali) in the light of Quran and Hadeeths if its there ? .. Many of my friends are fond of listening qawwalis. They also proclaim that our wali ullahs used to prefers qawwalis, such as Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin RA and Hazrat Nizamuddin RA, is there any such things found in there biography? They too quote a hadeeth regarding Hazrat Ayesha RAH, once listening a tribe song in front of our prophet(SAW), and our prophet (SAW) not forbidden them, is there any relation between this hadeeth and qawwali ? as qawwali is sung with lots of instruments and kufria words in it? Its a humble request please take us out from this drakness, by giving your valuable answer quoted with some Quranic verse and hadeeths… M eargly waithing for your reply..

Answer

(Fatwa: 750/643/B=1432)

The contemporary qawwali (mystic chorus) sung and listened with harmonium, tomtom, i.e. with musical instrument, is not lawful according to Shariah. Furthermore, today most of the qawwal (chorister) are clean shaved, drinker and far away from salah. Their qawwali with musical instruments is not lawful at any rate. What is said about some pious personalities that they listened qawwali, actually, they used to listen it from pious persons and the poems used to be good and virtuous. Their qawwali used to be free from musical instruments (i.e. tomtom, harmonium). If any poem is composed of hamd (praise of Allah) and naat or contains the words of wisdom or chastisement, then it is allowable to listen to it. It is also proved from the holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). But, it is absolutely haram to listen to qawwali of unfair contents with musical instruments. It is nothing but sensual pleasure. Every Muslim should avoid it.

Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best

Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband

This answer was collected from the official ifta website of Darul Uloom Deoband in India.