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