An Imam Who Listens to Qawwali at the ‘Urs

Question

Zayd is a hafiz and also serves as imam in a mosque; he describes himself as belonging to the Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama‘a, that is, a follower of the ulama of Deoband; he acts accordingly and admonishes others as well. But he has one habit: he goes to the ‘urs (an annual festival at a saint’s tomb on his death anniversary) at Kaliyar Sharif and listens to qawwali (Sufi devotional singing with music) there. He was told: “You tell people that listening to the customary qawwali is haram, yet you yourself go and listen.

Answer

According to the ulama of the Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama‘a and the Sufis of the truth — Chishti, Qadiri, Suhrawardi and Naqshbandi — all of them, listening to qawwali and taking part in such gatherings is impermissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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