As support grew for Pragaash, the all-girls’ rock band of Kashmir, the grandmufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Bashiruddin Ahmad, on Sunday issued a decree, terming singing “un-Islamic” and asking the band to abandon it.
“I have said that singing is not in accordance with Islamic teachings,” he told PTI.
The cleric said he told the band members that singing would not help them in playing any constructive role in society. “Society cannot be built or developed by doing un-Islamic acts like singing. I have advised these girls, and other Muslims as well, to stay within the limits of modesty as prescribed for them.”
The band, which came to limelight in December after it performed at the annual Battle of the Bands competition here, has received hate messages on their Facebook page for defying convention, stepping into a male-dominated field. However, support for the group has been pouring in. Even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah backed the band on Saturday, saying the police would probe the threats.
Its true that India is a Democratic and secular country that is why what Mufti sahab had said will only be considered as his opinion and not as a law.
Also, regarding the post of Mufti, Its just as people study Law and they become judge , Similarly people after studying about Islamic law and passing certain criteria can become a mufti. But it is worth noting that what he said was in the perspective of what Islam says regarding music and it should not attributed to any kind of gender discrimination as this is EQUALLY applicable to men.
Also it is pointless and wrong to justify music in Islam by pointing out any muslim singer or musician because they do not define islam, but it may be their personal choice ( they were free as India is secular and democratic).
But its unfortunate to see if something comes out from some cleric in regard to women people make a propaganda out of it, but no one pays any attention in regard to men sometimes not even Mufti sahab.
What is the legitamacy of these fatwas? this is like running a parallel judicial/administration system, we should ban these fatwas and khap panchayats.
At this point, I would really like to see all the famous male singers from the islamic community (lots of them, very famous and most have a huge fan following) to come forward in complete support of these innocent music lovers.
How could music and singing be un-islamic? In a democratic country like
India, everybody is free to express their feelings in any form, as far
as it doesn't hurt the sentiments of others. Such religious orders from
extremists of any religion should only be absorbed after applying self
conscience.
Mr. Qasim,
Sufi music is counted among the most soothing in the world. Tell those people that music is un-Islamic. They could give you a more fitting reply than any other people could. This is not to denigrate your opinion; you have yours and I have mine, and I would like to differ from yours.
Why Mufti forgot that prayers are also a form of singing. How could he
claim that Islam bans your freedom to speak. I am sure no religion can
differentiate between genders.
I doubt if Bashiruddin Ahmad really deserve such a reputed post?
Is there a qualification or selection crietria based on which people are chosen to be mufti/grnad mufti. The highly educated and intelligent muslim brethren should take up such positions so as to stop illogical statements by people like these.
When something is said to be un-islamic it means it is equally applicable to both men and women in Islam. Just quoting a line from above news which says "The band, which came to limelight in December after it performed at the annual Battle of the Bands competition here, has received hate messages on their Facebook page for defying convention, stepping into a male-dominated field. ".
Its not about a male dominated field or defying convention, dont get Islam wrong here or atleast don't try to paint a wrong picture that islam allows men to form a rock band or so. Music is prohibited in Islam for both men and women.
Mufti is in fact encouraging the girls to do something constructive which is Islamic.
Why doesn't the grandmufi Ahmad tell the same to his brothers also? why are all
these advices given to sisters? India is a secular state and everyone has rights..Why doesn't grandmufi ask his brothers to practice monogamy? Why doesn't grandmufi
ask his brothers to treat his sisters with respect and give them the same level of education as brothers? Why the rules only for brothers and not for sisters? The life principle in sisters is the same in brothers..
Singing is a manner to express oneself. Express oneself is every individuals birth-right. That's why we've so many languages. Religion has nothing to do in it.
Anyone watched the movie "Khuda Kay Liye"? In that movie too, the theme was around this 'singing is un-Islamic' thing...I guess it was banned.
Once some such self-styled defender of Islam, another mufti, told Bismillah Khan that music is un-islamic. Bismillah did not argue. He told the mufti to sit in front of him with his eyes closed. Then Bismillah sang "Allaho-Akbar" in one of his favourite ragas for about 15 min. At the end of it, tears of ecstacy were flowing down the mufti's eyes. No verbal duel, but point made. Most effectively!
Well, This is not the first time that we had female singers. From Lal
Ded, Habba Khatoon to Naseem Akhter, Jamila Khan and Kalish Mehra..
kashmir always had female singers.
Rather than issuing fatwa on "singing being moral or immoral" (which i
think is a least concern), fatwa on Drug Abuse, Sectarianism and
corruption is required. Hundreds of Babies died due to lack of Medical
Infrastructure and corruption in Valleys only Children's hospital and
the mufti or even our CM (who is quite vocal on twitter in supporting
the Girls Band BTW!) showed no concern.
Development is a by-product of good infrastructure, good employment,
and increased economy.It is not dependent on how many male/female
singers kashmir has.
How the Sufi music and singing is explained then ? How singing or any
form of music, art can be against any religion? In fact art, music,
singing reinforce spiritual feelings. The enlightened muslims should
denounce this.
It is very sad that these clergies who call themselves modern religious leaders and yet opine
so middle agedly on matters of education that includes the arts and social life.
People have to learn to ignore their pronouncements as irrational and of course outdated.
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