Q 3: What is the ruling on the man who sings as a profession to earn his living and to sustain his children and those in his custody?

A: It is a must for a Muslim to ascertain the ways he earns his living according to the Shari`ah of Allah (Exalted be He) in order that his earning and sustenance will be lawful to sustain himself, his children and those in his custody from lawful means. Thus, Allah (Exalted be He) assigns a reward for him and blesses him, his money and those under his custody. It is prohibited for him to take singing or using (Part No. 26; Page No. 218) musical instruments as a profession to earn his living and support himself and those in his custody or to spend on the poor or in other charitable ways because Allah (Exalted be He) is good and only accepts what is good. Earning one's living from this way entails the wrath of Allah (Exalted be He), and blessings are removed and supplications are not responded to. Allah (Exalted be He) says, O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned It was authentically reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: O people! Allah is good and only accepts that which is good. Allah commanded the believers with the same orders as the prophets. He says: O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibât [all kinds of Halâl foods which Allâh has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.] and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do. And said: O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allâh, if it is indeed He Whom you worship. He (peace be upon him) then mentioned that a man goes for a long journey, with unkempt hair stretching his hand to the sky saying: O Lord, O Lord while his food, drink, clothes are Haram and he (himself) was nourished unlawfully; how come his supplication is answered? Related by Imam Ahmad, Muslim and Al-Tirmidhy. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.