Advice on music and the Koran.

Gastines3

A daughter married a Muslim and now follows Islamic rules regarding dress/food/etc.etc. However,now having a first school age son,he very much enjoys music and dancing along with his friends at school and on various music sites at home. This is causing friction as his father,a very strict Muslim,says music should not be listened too and brings bad things etc.etc.and is banned by the Koran. Is this correct and how does one stop this in today's society where music is ever present and children all seem to follow bands/groups etc?

HampshireH

I don't know the correct answer to this but what I will say is.

I have friends who are Muslim and they listen to music and dance if they want to. 


Your daughter knew who she was marrying and his views. So by having a child she must have known that he would instill these views and enforce his values.

I really and honestly do not think you can compete with his religious views no matter how hard you try.

Your daughter could find examples of where this religions is followed by youth who can still enjoy entertainment such as music etc.

I think you need to step away though, as your involvement could cause a  situation, despite agreeing with you that his views are restrictive and outdated to say the least.

But that's just my (possibly ignorant) opinion as someone who hasn't read the Koran and wouldn't stand for my partner telling my child they couldn't listen to music.

MovingForwards

A quick search on the internet provides useful information, here's one link:
https://muslimgirl.com/is-listening-to-music-haram/

As with any religion it's open to interpretation by the one following it.

And with the greatest respect, it's not your job to say what your grandson can / can't do. Your daughter has chosen to convert her / accept a faith and live by what it says. 

Understand what may / may not be deemed haram by all means, but don't think you will be able to alter anything. All you can do is be neutral and keep your door open in case anything changes.

bouicca21

Music is not banned by the Koran.  Some Islamic traditions have a problem with behaviour that encourages licentiousness and/or detracts from religious obligations.   In order to understand the issue you need to appreciate just what strand of Islam is involved.  

rach_k

First thing I would do (as his wife, not as his parent-in-law) would be to challenge him to point out, in a well-regarded English translation (not little booklets produced by the local mosque, get something non-denominational from a proper bookshop), exactly where it references music in the Qur'an...because it doesn't!  

There is mention of music in hadiths - words of and stories about the Prophet Muhammad - but it isn't as simple as yes or no.  Muslim scholars study and say what they think is the right answer, but individuals are just as able to study and make their own decisions so I would suggest that your daughter starts researching, if she wants to discuss it with her husband.  

Most Muslims I know judge it on a case-by-case basis.  From what I can tell, music isn't generally acceptable if it has a negative effect on you or society.  So if a song is making you feel violent or depressed, don't listen to it.  If something makes you feel something good, go for it.  I doubt your daughter is playing drill music or anything particularly crude for a 5 year old anyway!  

I'd suggest a compromise.  To those unfamiliar with it, Quranic recitation sounds like music so perhaps that could be something they listen to in the home.  Maybe there are other types of music that the dad wouldn't object to as much - some people believe it's instruments that are forbidden (so unaccompanied singing is fine), or others believe that just drums are okay.  He might be okay with classical music... worth a try!  If there is some kind of music or thereabouts that the dad feels could be acceptable, they could agree on time limits within the home, or headphones so dad doesn't have to listen or no headphones so that you're always aware what's being played.  The child will hear music a lot at school and when he's out and about, so I wouldn't worry about him missing out too much.  Listening to different stuff at home will be good for him too.

Sea_Shell

This thread reminds me of the film "Footloose".

sheramber

It is not your place to question how your son in  law brings up his child or follows his religion.

Surely, your daughter is the one to answer your question as she now follows that faith.

 

Gastines3

Thankyou for replies. No more please and yes ,I'm not  putting my point of view to them  just trying to clarify something in my own mind.

74jax

Gastines3 said:

Thankyou for replies. No more please and yes ,I'm not  putting my point of view to them  just trying to clarify something in my own mind.

But your question was
Is this correct and how does one stop this in today's society where music is ever present and children all seem to follow bands/groups etc?

That isn't how to clarify in your own mind, it's how to stop someone's religion? 

AskAsk

i can't say that i agree with religious beliefs and think they can be OTT or plain stupid and often out of date with modern society.  having said that, i don't try to stop anyone practising what they believe in, if it does not affect the rest of society.

this matter is too far removed from you as a grandparent to get involved in.  it is a matter for the child and his parents to deal with.

theoretica

Make me think frivolously of parents who would do anything to stop hearing 'Baby Shark'.