Yaa Arhama-rraahimeen, Farrij `ala-l-Muslimeen

As-Salaamu `Alaykum,

I was recently wondering about the permissibility of "Islamic" (I'm not sure if they truly are Islamic) nasheeds. Just like we download audio bayaans to listen to later, some people also download "Islamic" nasheeds. Of course, it is haraam to listen to anything with musical instruments or even imitations of musical instruments (beatboxing with the mouth). I am asking about those nasheeds which do not contain such obvious haraam elements. I have one such nasheed downloaded, titled "Ya Arhama-rraahimeen, Farrij `ala-l-Muslimeen." It does not contain any sounds which imitate musical instruments, nor do I believe it is excessively musical in its nature. It can be compared to melodious and rhythmic poetry. I have attached the file to the email; I think it is better if you can check it yourself. Otherwise, the words of the nasheed are as follows:

( ياارحم الراحمين ) ( ياارحم الراحمين ) ( فرِّج على المسلمين) 
( ياارحم الراحمين) 
( ياربنا ياكريم ) ( ياربنا يارحيم ) ( انت الجواد الحليم ) و (انت نعم المعين) 
( ياارحم الراحمين) 
( نظره تزيل العنا ) ( عنا وتدني المنى ) ( منا وكل الهنا ) ( نعطاه في كل حين) 
( ياارحم الراحمين) 
( واغفرلي كل الذنوب ) و ( استر لي كل العيوب ) و ( اكشف لي كل الكروب ) و ( اكفي اذ المؤذين) 
( ياارحم الراحمين) 
( واختم باحسن ختام ) ( اذا دان الانصرام ) و ( حان حين الحمام ) و ( زاد رشح الجبين) 
( ياارحم الراحمين) 

Some of the lines above are recited by one voice while others are recited in a sort of chorus (many voices at the same time). They are all male.

I have also read a fatwa from AskImam (a popular fatwa site headed by Mufti Ebrahim Desai, Hafizahu-llaah) concerning this topic, but I found it to be fairly ambiguous in its conclusion. Here is the direct link to the fatwa. Otherwise, I have reproduced it in full below:

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Title: What is the Islamic ruling of listening to ‘Islamic’ Nasheeds?

Question

Is listening to islaamic nasheed allowed in islam?

for instance, the nasheeds of Sheikh Mishary Rashid Alafsy. Are they allowed in islaam?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, it will be permissible to listen to “Islamic” Nasheeds if the following conditions are met: It should

1.     not contain sounds of musical instruments ( even though it may be computerized)

2.     not be for pure entertainment

3.     not have haram content

4.     not emulate music

5.     not lead to negligence in Salah, the remembrance of Allah and other obligations of Shariah [1]

Very seldom do present day Nasheeds refrain from the abovementioned prohibitions.

It is a norm nowadays that Nasheeds are labelled as “Islamic” despite containing many things that are un-Islamic. The purpose of Nasheeds is

1. To create the love of Allah Ta’ala within the hearts of the listeners.

2. To encourage people to follow the Sunnah of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

3. To encourage the listeners to inculcate good qualities such as piety, love of Islam and preparation for the hereafter

4. To create an aversion for sin within the hearts of the people.

5. To enjoin good and forbid evil.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Muntasir Zaman

Student Darul Iftaa
USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

[1] احكام القران للتهانوي 235/3

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It seems that the above fatwa is correct. However, I find it very difficult to ascertain whether or not a nasheed is "for pure entertainment" (one of the bullets mentioned above). Thus, my questions are as follows:

1.      Is the above fatwa correct?

2.      Is the nasheed I have attached to this email permissible to listen to? I am not talking about performing nasheeds in the Masjid.

3.      Are nasheeds (with no musical instruments nor sounds of music created from the mouth) in general permissible to listen to in private? I am not talking about performing nasheeds in the Masjid.

4.      How can one ascertain whether or not a nasheed is "for pure entertainment", which would make it haraam to listen to?

5.      Can one share the audio files of permissible nasheeds with others?

6.      Can one listen to permissible nasheeds in the car?

7.      I request your permission to share your answers.

Jazaaka-llaahu khayran,

Samah bin [Fulaan]

[Town, State], USA

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM

13 Rajab 1435 (13 May 2014)

Samah [bin Fulan]

Your e-mail dated 11 May 2014 refers.

Good nasheeds such as the one you have  referred to are permissible
without music. It is permissible to listen occasionally to such
nasheeds. It is not permissible to make nasheeds an occupation  nor is
it permissible to recite for an audience. But one may listen to such
nasheeds.

Nasheed-singing in the Musjids such as is the new trend by devils in
human form is haraam.

Listening to a good nasheed for pleasure or solace is permissible. In
fact that is precisely why one listens to a nasheed. It is permissible
to listen to any good nasheed in private. But one should not become so
addicted to it that one falls asleep  at night with the recoirder
playing the nasheed.

The audio files of good nasheeds may be shared with others.

What is the meaning of 'entertainment'? If one sings a nasheed or  it
is sung  to a crowd, then this will be haraam entertainment. But if
one listens  to a nasheed  or one sings it in privacy, then it will be
permissible even if one says that it is 'entertainment'. But in fact,
it is not entertainment when one listens to it in private.
Entertainment  refers to singing for others –  entertaining  people
with the song. That is not permissible. But  listening to a nasheed
for one's own pleasure is not entertainment.

It is permissible to listen to nasheed in the car. Feel at liberty to
share our answers. Our answers pertain to Shar'i ahkaam, hence they
are not secrets.

Was-salaam

A.S. Desai