Q: Is singing or dancing haraam?
A: Both singing and dancing are Haraam (prohibited). Allaamah ibni Katheer records a narration in his Tafseer under verse 6 of Surah Luqmaan: And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks… Sayyidina Abdullah ibni Mas'ood (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) was asked regarding the meaning of idle talks. He answered thrice under oath that it refers to music. (Tafseer ibni Katheer V6 P330). This is also the verdict of other scholars of that time, including Sayyidina Hasan Basri (Rahmatullaahi Alayh).
Sayyidina Abu Maalik Al Ash'ari (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: Some people among my Ummah will consume alcohol whilst giving it another name. Their gatherings will consist of music and dancing girls. Allah will let the earth swallow them and some of them will be transformed into apes and swine. (Sunan ibni Maajah V2 P1333).
May Allah Ta'aala save us. Aameen.
Prepared by: Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai