Reciting the Noble Quran to Music and Instruments of Amusement

Question

Is it permissible or impermissible to listen to, and to make others listen to, the blessed Arabic words of the Noble Qur’an — the very words in which the Qur’an was revealed — for example: [ar]الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ[/ar] “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds” (Surah al-Fatiha, 1:2) — [performed] on musical instruments to which a melody is set?

Answer

To recite and to listen to the blessed Arabic words of the Noble Qur’an to a melody and on musical instruments — such as the sarangi (an Indian bowed string instrument), the harmonium, and the like — is an extreme dishonouring and insult [to what is sacred]. It is never permissible according to the Shari‘a. The jurists have given a very severe ruling on this matter.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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