THE WEAKNESS OF FAITH

Signs of weak faith
1. The passions and sins dominate
2. Permanently delay the prayers or not perform.
3. Your heart is hard and insensitive.
4. Lose time in things that do not provide benefits to the faith.
5. Do not feel rejected when you see these reprehensible acts and sins openly.
6. No longer voluntary good works as reading the Quran,
reflections on the Hadith, prayers do not volunteer, do not give charities or help your neighbor.
7. Do not you care to learn, not to spread Islam or knowledge.

Causes of weak faith

1. Have you away from environments where faith is strengthened, as the mosque, awareness meetings and encounters with siblings religious.
2. Spend much time with people who do not contribute anything to your faith.
3. You interact much with people who commit sins or not regularly
are in the path of faith.
4. 're not relate to the brothers who can guide you to
be a better Muslim.
5. You left dominated by materialism, and your time more valuable it get money spend on obsessively, relegating all others:
mosque, the family, the kinds of knowledge, helping others ...
6. Deposit false expectations that anyway Allah will forgive you
your sins and negligence and not doing anything to earn the mercy of Allah.
7. You exceed the food and drink, without checking if strictly halal.

8. Not pay attention to the small sins that you commit and let it
add one after another like a mountain without regret.

Remedies to strengthen your faith

1. Awaken your consciousness to the greatness of Allah, that you realize how great and sublime is who you're disobeying and abandoning.
2. Read, recite, study and reflect on the Quran.
3. Participates in the circles of knowledge.
4. Looking for siblings who are aware and are known for their
Islamic behavior and spend more time with them.
5. Make small good deeds, and do not despise any good deed to the
others, however small it may seem.
6. Remember that your life is not eternal in this world, and one day have to face death, and therefore a trial of your actions.
7. Think about the way you have to go if you want to enter paradise.
8. Júzgate yourself after each day before you will be judged one day you can not do anything to change your situation.
9. Do not give this world more attention than necessary, meet with your obligations, but do not let materialism dominate your heart.
10. Learn prayers for every situation, for the remembrance of Allah is always in your mouth.
11. Tell people about the virtues of Islam, whether Muslim or not.
12. Choose as friends religious people, having good character and
desire to practice Islam as a way of life.
13. Visiting the sick, make supplications for them and grateful to Allah for your health.
14. Have patience with the difficulties and always your heart to Allah guides, He just waiting to solve your problems.
15. Be moderate with things allowed, do not overdo it, all excess
are bad.
16. Always check your intention before doing things to make it sincere  for Allah, and mentions the name of Allah before every important work.
17. Be consistent, the Prophet said: "Allah loves that work that even  small, but steady. "

PROUD OF TO BE MUSLIM ANYWHERE WE ARE

Question:
 Some people are annoyed and embarrassed to wear the clothes that show they are Muslims when they travel to countries in disbelief.
What advice would you give to these people?

Answer:
 Unfortunately, what the questioner says is true: even while we were superior, we have no personality.
Therefore, we always feel we are in the queue and we follow others.
It is noted that if one of us is a useful thing, not ever assigned to him or any of the Muslims, but says: "That comes from Western and Asian civilization, " not giving any value, despite all the corruption representing others.
And when these people come where we are putting on their short and low cut dress without shame, to the point that the women are half naked, smack [make noise with her heels], and little need for land is not based on her feet .

They do not care about anything as long as women, then to say of us, Muslim men? How can you be ashamed of our Islamic clothing in their countries? Is not the evidence of our weakness of character?
The answer is actually, if we treat these people like they treat us, would be just. If they come dressed as our countries are, without worrying about our feelings, why do not we start our Islamic clothing for our trip to their country, no matter your feelings?

A person, who died, may Allah be merciful with him, told me that before, had traveled to a foreign country carrying with it its distinctive Islamic dress well. He said he found very good reception on his side, to the point that he opened the car door when he wanted to mount. Look at this story and how this man was proud to Allah, praised and exalted be-[to show that being a Muslim and his God is Allah through clothing], and praised and glorified Allah-is-it preserved their pride. It should not be humiliated in front of them, because the Muslim all the time should be proud of what it is.

If you browse the pages of our history books to see the behavior of Muslim soldiers with their enemies in war, one would find what was his pride against his enemies. Therefore the Muslim must keep his pride and dignity so they do not believe that his life is ridiculous citizen civilization. How can you call that "a civilization" while destroying the customs, preaching to deny Allah, praised and exalted be-and decay? True civilization is the remaining useful progress attached to our religion and morals, then why give them that so easily? Are they, the people of civilization and we retarded?
Our duty is to progress with our religion in the areas of belief and works for the civilization of ours, and we call on him
"Sincerity is not part of civilization? The answer is yes, and Islam insists on the quality. Allah be praised and exalted, says:

"Believers! Fear Allah and be with the truthful. "[1]

 And the Prophet(Sala Allahu alayhi wa salam) said:

 "Sincerity leads to good works and good deeds leads to Paradise. Man does not cease to tell the truth until he mentioned to Allah, praised and exalted be-being of the truthful. Lying leads to evil actions and bad actions lead to Hell. The man will not stop lying until I mentioned to Allah, praised and exalted be-being of liars. "[2]

So it seems, unfortunately, is that many Muslims lost this quality, then you can not say that Islam is very important in this respect.
We speak now of other qualities such as loyalty and honesty in the sale, the Prophet (Sala Allahu alayhi wa salam)-said about it:

 "The seller and buyer are free [to conclude the sale or not] until they separate. If they were sincere and if they did not hide anything from defects in their products. Allah bless your sale. But if you hide the flaws and if they lied, it voids the blessing. "[3]

Is the loyalty and sincerity are presented in all transactions by the Muslims? You could say that some Muslims lost this quality in their transactions. Some of them are sincere and show no defect in his goods, and worse still, is the liars and double the price, this is not a lie and a hoax?
 But Islam forbids it and the Prophet (Sala Aallahu alayhi wa salam) said about it:

 "Whoever deceives is not ours. " [4]

 Watch as the Prophet (Sala Allahu alayhi wa salam), disapproved of this genre of people, and yet, some Muslims deceive, may Allah protect us! A quick look at the status of Muslims find that the bulk of Muslims is far from the qualities and habits to which Islam invites [to be] and I am sad to say, some Muslims are fleeing to the people of Islam because of his [bad] behavior that contradicts Islam!

Fatwa of Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen, extracted from his collection fatawa
 Chapter of the Faith, p.: 787-789
 [1] Repentance, v.119
 [2] Al-Bukhari, Chapter of the rules of civility (no. 6094) and Muslim, chapter of the charity and kinship ties (No. 2607)
 [3] Al-Bukhari, Chapter of sales (no. 2079), and Muslim, Chapter of sales (no. 1532)
 [4] Muslim, Chapter of belief (n º 101)

AL FATIHAH: UMM AL KITAB

This Surah is called Al-Fatihah, that is, the Opener of the Book, the Surah with which prayers are begun. It is also called, Umm Al-Kitab (the Mother of the Book), according to the majority of the scholars. In an authentic Hadith recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who graded it Sahih, Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

"Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil-`Alamin is the Mother of the Qur'an, the Mother of the Book, and the seven repeated Ayat of the Glorious Qur'an."

It is also called Al-Hamd and As-Salah, because the Prophet said that his Lord said,

"`The prayer (i.e., Al-Fatihah) is divided into two halves between Me and My servants.' When the servant says, `All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of existence,' Allah says, 'My servant has praised Me.'"

Al-Fatihah was called the Salah, because reciting it is a condition for the correctness of Salah - the prayer. Al-Fatihah was also called Ash-Shifa' (the Cure).
It is also called Ar-Ruqyah (remedy), since in the Sahih, there is the narration of Abu Sa`id telling  the story of the Companion who used Al-Fatihah as a remedy for the tribal chief who was poisoned. Later, the Messenger of Allah said to a Companion,

"How did you know that it is a Ruqyah"

In the beginning of the Book of Tafsir, in his Sahih, Al-Bukhari said;

"It is called Umm Al-Kitab, because the Qur'an starts with it and because the prayer is started by reciting it.''

It was also said that it is called Umm Al-Kitab, because it contains the meanings of the entire Qur'an. Ibn Jarir said, "The Arabs call every comprehensive matter that contains several specific areas an Umm. For instance, they call the skin that surrounds the brain, Umm Ar-Ra's. They also call the flag that gathers the ranks of the army an Umm.'' He also said, "Makkah was called Umm Al-Qura, (the Mother of the Villages) because it is the grandest and the leader of all villages. It was also said that the earth was made starting from Makkah.''

Further, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah narrated about Umm Al-Qur'an that the Prophet said,

"It is Umm Al-Qur'an, the seven repeated (verses) and the Glorious Qur'an."

"It is Umm Al-Qur'an, Al-Fatihah of the Book (the Opener of the Qur'an) and the seven repeated (verses)."

SOURCE: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php

THE TELEVISION

Question: What is the ruling on television today?
Answer: There is no doubt that television, today, is Haraam (forbidden). This is since television is like the radio and tape recorder – they are like all the other blessings that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants, as He has stated:
"And if you were to count the blessings of Allaah, you would never be able to count them."
                  [Surah An-Nahl: 18]
Thus, hearing is a blessing and eyesight is a blessing, and so are the lips and the tongue. However, many of these blessings become trials upon their possessors because they do not use them in a way that Allaah loves and wants for them to be used. Therefore, I consider the radio, television and the tape recorder to be from the blessings of Allaah, but when are they deemed as blessings? When they are used to bring benefit to the ummah. Today, ninety-nine percent of what is on television is evil, licentious, immoral, forbidden, and so on, while one percent of it has some shows presented that are of benefit to some people. But the consideration is with regard to the majority (and not the minority). So when a true Muslim state exists that can place programs based on knowledge, which would be beneficial for the ummah, at that point I will not say that television is permissible, but rather I will say that it is obligatory.
  SOURCE:  Shaikh Albani  [Al-Asaalah, Issue #10]

THREE GREAT TIPS

A man came to the Prophet and said "Oh Messenger of Allah give me advice and summarize it". The Prophet (salalahu alayhi wa salam) said (what means) "When you stand to pray, pray as if it is your last pray, don't speak with that which you would apologize for tomorrow,and be hopeless for that which is in the hands of the people" Musnad Ahmad/Authenticated by al-Albaanee

Shaykh Abdur-Rahmaan bin Naasir as-Si'dee (Rahimahu Allah): "These are three pieces of advice and how beautiful they are. If the servant holds on to it, his affairs would be complete and he will be successful.''
The first piece of advice consists of completing the prayer and striving to perform it in the best manner. That is by him (the servant) taking account of himself for every prayer that he prays, also that he will complete all of that which is within the prayer from that which is obligatory and recommended. He actualizes the state of Ihsaan (perfection) in it which is the highest of states. That is by him standing in the prayer bringing to mind his standing in front of his Lord, and that he is addressing Him with that which he says from his recitation, words of remembrance and supplication. He humbles himself to Him in his standing, bowing, prostration, lowering of himself and rising up in the prayer. That which will aid him upon this noble goal is settling o*neself upon that (which was mentioned) without wavering and no laziness of the heart.
He also brings to mind in every prayer that it is the last prayer as if he will pray no other prayer. From that which is known that the one who is bidding farewell strives with his utmost and exerts himself in his affair with all that is at his disposal. He does not cease to carry these beneficial meanings and strong means (of attainment) until the matter becomes easy for him and he becomes accustomed to that. The prayer (being performed) in this manner prevents the one who is praying from every repugnant characteristic and encourages him to observe every beautiful characteristic. That is due to the effects of the increase of faith, the light of the heart, its happiness, and complete desire for the good within him self.
As for the second advice: It is the preserving of the tongue and closely watching over it. Indeed upon the preservation of the tongue there is the pivot (of ones life) and it is the controlling of affair of the servant. Therefore when the servant controls his tongue he controls all of his limbs. However when his tongue controls him and doesn't protect him from the harmful speech then indeed his affair(s) become disorderly in his religion and worldly life. Therefore he should not speak with any speech except that he knows its benefit in his religion and his worldly life. Every speech that possibly has in it something that the person will be criticized for or apologize for then let him leave it. That is because if he speaks with it his speech owns him and he becomes a prisoner of it. Or it is possible that it brings about harm upon him and he won't be able to fend it off.
As for the third advice: It is settling oneself upon being connected to Allaah alone in the affairs of his lively hood and hereafter. He doesn't ask anyone except for Allaah. Nor does he desire (anything) except for His bounty. He settles within himself the despair for that which is in the hands of the people (he doesn't hope for getting from them what they have). Indeed giving up hope (for that which is in the hands of the people) is a protection. Whoever gives up hope for having something becomes independent of it. So just as he doesn't ask with his tongue except Allaah, likewise he doesn't connect his heart to anyone except for Allaah. As a result of that he truly remains a servant of Allaah, free from the servitude of the creation. He certainly has freed himself from their slavery and he has earned by way of that the honor and the nobility. For indeed the one who is attached to the creation earns the disgrace and the downfall according to the degree of his attachment to them (the creation) and Allaah knows best".
Taken from Bah-ja-tu Quloob al-Abraar. Explanation of Hadeeth 74.

ONLY ALLAH IS THE CREATOR

Making images implies that one is trying to match the creation of Allah(Subhanna wa ta'ala). The matter also has to do with ‘aqeedah when these images are taken as idols which are worshipped instead of Allah(Subhanna wa ta'ala).

Evidences that image-making is the exclusive preserve of Allaah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) are the following: 

In the Holy Quran:

 Allah says:

“He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He wills”

                              (al ‘Imraan :6)

“And surely, We created you  and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves to Adam’”

                               (al-A’raaf :11)

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise”

                            (al-Hashr :24)

“O man! What has made you careless about your Lord, the Most Generous? Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion. In whatever form He willed, He put you together.”

                          (al-Infitaar:6-8)

 From the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam):

It was reported from ‘A’ishah Umm al-Mu’mineen that Umm Habeebah and Umm Salamah mentioned a church which they had seen in Ethiopia, in which there were images. They  told the Prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) about it, and he said: “Those people, if there was a righteous man among them and he died, they would build a place of worship over his grave and put images in it. These will be the most evil of creation before Allaah on the Day of Resurrection.”

                 (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 417; Muslim, 528)
 Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said: This hadeeth indicates that making images is haraam. (Fath al-Baari, 1/525).

 Al-Nawawi said:
Our  companions and other scholars said: making images of animate beings is extremely haraam and is a major sin, because severe warnings have been issued against it in the ahaadeeth. Whether the image is made to be used in a disrespectful fashion or for other purposes, it is haraam to make it in all cases, because it implies that one is trying to match the creation of Allaah, whether the image is to appear on a garment, carpet, coin, vessel, wall or whatever. With regard to pictures of trees, camel saddles, and other pictures in which no animate beings appear, these are not haraam. This is the ruling on making images. (Sharh Muslim, 14/81)

Sa’eed ibn Abi’l-Hasan said: I was with Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia Allahu anhun) when a man came to him and said, O Abu ‘Abbaas, I am a man who lives by what his hands make, and I make these images. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: I will only tell you what I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) say. I heard him say: “Whoever makes an image, Allaah will punish him until he breathes life into it, and he will never be able to do that.” The man became very upset and his face turned pale, so [Ibn ‘Abbaas] said to him, Woe to you! If you insist on making images, then make images of these trees and everything that does not have a soul.

            (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2112; Muslim, 2110).

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) say: The people who will be the most severely punished before Allaah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image makers.

            (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5606; Muslim, 2109).

It was reported from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia Allahu anhun) that the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) said: Those who make these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them, Give life to that which you have created!

                (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5607; Muslim, 2108).

It was reported that Abu Hurayrah entered a house in Madeenah and saw somebody making images in it. He said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) say: Allaah says:Who does greater wrong than one who goes and creates something like My creation? Let them create a seed or a small ant!

             (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5609; Muslim, 2111).
Al-Nawawi said:
Concerning the words of Allaah. “Let them create a small ant or a seed or a grain of barley!” means, let them create a small ant which has a soul and moves by itself, like this small ant which was created by Allaah. Or let them create  a grain of wheat or barley, i.e., let them create a grain which is eaten as food or which can be planted so it will grow and which has the characteristics of a grain of wheat or barley or other seeds which were created by Allaah. This is impossible, as stated above. (Sharh Muslim, 14/90). None can bring forth living vegetation out of nothing except Allaah, may He be glorified.

 Abu Juhayfah said: the Prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) forbade the price of a dog and the price of blood, and he forbade tattooing and asking to be tattooed, and the consumption or paying of ribaa, and he cursed those who make images.

                      (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1980).

EVEN WORSE THAN THE MUSIC

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen (rahimahu Allah) said:

“There has been a lot of talk about Islamic naasheeds. I have not heard them for a long time. When they first appeared, there was nothing wrong with them. There were no duffs, and they were performed in a manner that did not involve any fitnah (corruption), and they were not performed with the tunes of haraam (impermissible) songs. But then the nasheeds changed and we began to hear a rhythm that may have been aduff or it may have been something other than aduff, and they began to choose performers with beautiful and enchanting voices,then they changed further and began to be performed in the manner of haraam songs. Hence we began to feel uneasy about them, and unable to issue fatwas stating that they were permissible in all cases, or that they were forbiddenin all cases.

If they are free of the things that I have referred to,then they are permissible, but if they are accompanied by duff or performers are chosen who have beautiful and enchanting voices,or they are performed in the manner of indecent songs, then it is not permissible to listen to them.”  [Al-Sahwah al-Islamiyyah (p. 185)]

Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzan (hafidhahu Allah) said:

“As for that which is called Islamic nasheed, it hasbeen given more time and effort than it deserves, to such an extent that it has become an art form which takes up space in school curricula and school activities,and the recording companies record huge numbers of itto sell and distribute, and most houses are full of it, andmany young men and women listen to it, and it takes up a lot of their time, and it is listened to more thanrecordings of Qur’aan, Sunnah, lectures and useful lessons.” [Al-Bayaan li Akhta’ Ba’d al-Kuttaab (p. 342)]

Shaikh al-Albanee (rahimahu Allah) said:

“I remember very-well that when I was in Damascus, two years before I migrated here to Ammaan, some of the Muslim youth started to sing few nasheeds that had sound meanings, intending thereby to counteract the Sufi songs like the Busayri poems and others. They recorded these nasheeds on tapes but soon it was accompanied by beating the duff!

At first they used it in wedding parties on the basis that the duff is permissible in such parties, then the tapes became widespread and copies were made of them, and they started to be used in many homes. People began listening to them day and night, whether there was an occasion or not.  It became their way of relaxing. But that is only because of their whims and desires and their ignorance of the Shaytaan’s tricks,who has diverted them from paying attention to the Qur’aan and listening to it – let alone studying it! The Qur’aan (thus), became forsaken by them as it says in the verse, “The Messenger (Muhammad ) will say, “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’aan (neither listened to it nor acted on its laws and teachings).’” [Soorah al-Furqaan (25): 30]” [Tahreem Aalaat al-Tarb (p.181, 182)]

It is regrettable that some of those who appoint themselves to issue fatawa have reached such a level that they issues fatawa allowing adult women to perform nasheeds in front of men, and even on satellite channels in front of millions, and these female performers use musical instruments which are forbidden in the Sharee’ah but are permitted by these so-called muftis!

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (rahimahu Allah) said:

“To sum up, what is well known in the Islamic religion is that the Prophet salAlahu alayhi wa salem did not prescribe for the righteous,devoted worshippers and ascetics of his ummah to gather to listen to poetic verses recited accompanied with clapping or the beating of a duff.

It is not permissible for anyone to deviate from following him salAlahu alayhi wa salem and following that which he salAlahu alayhi wa salem brought of the Book and Wisdom, whether that has to do with inward or outward matters, either for an ordinary man ora member of the elite. The Prophet granted concessions allowing some kinds of entertainment in weddings and the like, and he allowed women to beat the duff during weddings and other celebrations.

As for the men of his era, not one of them used to beat the duff or clap, rather it is proven in the Saheeh (al-Bukharee) that he (Sala Allahu alayhi wa salem)  said, “Clapping is for women,and tasbeeh is for men” and he cursed the women who imitate men and the men who imitate women.

Because singing, beating the duff and clapping are things that women do, the salaf used to call a man who did those things effeminate, and they called men who sang effeminate, and this is well known among their sayings.” [Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (11/565, 566)]

Shaykh Abdul-Aziz ibn Baaz (rahimahu Allah) said:

“Islamic nasheeds vary. If they are sound and contain nothing but calling people to what is good, and reminding them of what is good, and obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and calling people to defend their homelands against the plots of the enemy, and preparing to face the enemy and so on, there is nothing wrong with that. But if they are something other than that, and they promote sin and are performed before mixed audiences of men and women, or audiences in which women are uncovered in the presence of men, or any other evilaction, then it is not permissible to listen to them.”[Majmoo Fatawa ash-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (3/437)]

Shaykh Abdul-Aziz ibn Baaz (rahimahu Allah) also said:

“Islamic nasheeds are like poetry – if it is sound then it is sound and if there is anything objectionable in it then itis objectionable.

The conclusion is that you cannot pass one judgment on all types of nasheed, rather each should be examined on its own merits. There is nothing wrong with sound nasheeds, but nasheeds which contain anything objectionable or promote anything objectionable are objectionable and evil.” [Shareet As’ilah wa Ajwabah al-Jaami’ al-Kabeer (no. 90/A)]

The scholars of the Standing Committee for issuing Fatawa saidin a Fatwa:

“It is permissible for you to replace these songs with Islamic nasheeds which contain words of wisdom and exhortation and lessons, which promote keenness to follow Islam and invoke Islamic feelings, which put one off evil and the things that promote evil, and which motivate the one who “sings” them and the one who hears them to obey Allah and discourage them to disobey Him or transgress His limits; they make one keen to protect His sharee’ah and strive in struggle for His sake. But you should not take that as a habit which one persists in, rather that should be something that is done only sometimes, on special occasions such as weddings or when traveling for struggle against the enemy and so on, and when one feels low, in order to revive the spirit and motivate oneself to do good, or when one feels inclined towards evil, so listening to such nasheeds may ward that off.” [Fatawa Islamiyyah (4/533)]

Shaikh al-Albanee (rahimahu Allah) 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 there of, and not nasheed per se. This is a new error, and it is an imitation of the disbelievers 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 (Sala Allahu alayhi wa salem ) as Allah says, “The Messenger (sala Allahu alayhi wa salem) will say, ‘O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’aan (neither listened to it nor acted on its laws and teachings).’” [Soorah al-Furqaan (25): 30] [end quote from Tahreem Alaat at-Tarab (p. 181)]

Shaikh al-Albanee (rahimahu Allah) also said:

“If these nasheeds contain Islamic meanings and are not accompanied by any inst ruments such as the duff, drum and so on, then there is nothing wrong with them, but we must point out an important condition of their being permissible, which is that they should be free of anything that goes against sharee’ah, such as exaggeration and the like.

Then there is another condition, which is that they should not become a habit, because that distracts the listeners from reading Qur’aan which is encouraged in the Sunnah, and it also distracts them from seeking beneficial knowledge and calling people to Allah.” [Majallaat al-Asaalah (issue no. 2, 15 Jumaada al-Aakhirah 1413 AH)]

ALL THE MUSIC IS HARAM

Some say that music which does not arouse emotions is Halal (lawful); what is your opinion?
A: All types of music and musical instruments are Haram (prohibited), nothing is excluded, for it was authentically narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk [for men], the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments as lawful.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
Member Member Member Deputy Chairman
Bakr Abu Zayd Salih Al-Fawzan `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-`Aziz Al Al-Shaykh
Chairman
`Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

What is the ruling on listening to singing and music? I read a Hadith book that prohibits singing. A person told us that if you attend a concert of a group of singers, this might be Haram (prohibited) However, if you listen to them on cassette players, on television or the radio, it will not be Haram. We inquired
about the difference between both cases, and he said that the singers are heard and seen at the same time, whereas the other devices make you listen only, but you do not see anything.
Please advise, may Allah reward you.
A: Listening to music and singing, whether from singers or through recording devices is Haram, as the evidence on prohibition is general, and as both cases lead to distraction, Fitnah (temptation) and corruption.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
Member Member Deputy Chairman Chairman
`Abdullah ibn Qa`ud `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-Razzaq `Afify `Abdul-`Aziz ibn
`Abdullah ibn Baz

What is the ruling on listening to songs?
A: Listening to songs including some kinds of music is Haram (prohibited), both for men and women, whether they are in their houses or elsewhere, such as in cars or in public and private gatherings. This is because this entails choosing and being inclined to participate in what Shari`ah (Islamic law) has prohibited. Allah (Exalted be He) says, And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allâh, or the Verses of the Qur’ân) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire).
The singing referred to in the question is a kind of idle talk. It is, thus, Fitnah (temptation) to the heart that attracts it to evil and distracts it from good. Even more, it wastes time idly and, thus, falls under the purport of "idle talk". Whoever sings or listens to such songs is classified among those who purchase idle talk to distract themselves or others from the Path of Allah. Allah has dispraised this act and threatened the doers with humiliating torture. Moreover, as the Qur'an generally prohibits singing and listening to songs, the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) also supports this prohibition. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Verily, among my Ummah (nation) there will be people who will deem as lawful Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery), (wearing) silk (for men), (drinking) Khamr (intoxicant) and using musical instruments. And verily some people will stay near a high mountain; their shepherd will come to them with one of their herds in the evening, and the poor will come to them for a need, but they will say, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ So Allah will destroy them by night and bring down upon them the high mountain, and He will transform others into apes and pigs to the Day of Resurrection. (Related by Al-Bukhari and other Imams of Hadith). Musical instruments refer to amusement and the instruments used in it, including singing and listening to songs. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dispraised those who render as lawful, Zina, silk for men, Khamr, and musical instruments and listening to them. He included musical instruments among the other major sins listed and he threatened at the end of the Hadith those who commit these acts with torture. This proves that playing and listening to musical instruments is Haram. Regarding inattentive listening, such as when passing by stores or cars playing songs or when sitting in one's house and hearing songs coming out from neighbors' houses, this person is regarded as helpless and is, thus, not sinful as long as they are not inclined to what they hear. They should give advice and forbid Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) with wisdom and fair preaching. Furthermore, they should try hard as much as they can to get rid of this involuntary listening according to their means, for Allah does not burden a person beyond their ability.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
Member Member Deputy Chairman
`Abdullah ibn Qa`ud `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-Razzaq `Afify
Chairman
`Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

 Source: http://www.alifta.com/