{"_id":"682e953f1dc23584f284b36d","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Can I listen to lectures that have music in the background?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Is it permissible to listen to motivational speeches or lectures that have instrumental music playing in the background?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Within the Shāfiʿī school, the use of musical instruments other than the duff (drum) is impermissible. However, it is important to distinguish between intentional listening and incidental hearing. The prohibition mentioned in classical legal texts pertains to listening with intent, wherein the music is the object of attention and enjoyment. In contrast, if a person listens to a speech or lecture for its benefit, and the background instrumental music is not the object of their attention, it would fall under incidental hearing, not intentional listening.\\n\\nTherefore, in cases where:\\nThe speech is beneficial and upright in its content,  \"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"The instrumental music is not the focus nor intended to be listened to,\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"then the ruling is one of permissibility.\\n\\nFor example, if a person shops in a grocery store where music is playing overhead but does not pay attention to it, their action is not impermissible. They are not there to listen to music, and thus their presence does not fall under the prohibition. Likewise, listening to a motivational speech where the instrumental background is not the focus takes the same ruling. The person is listening to the speech, not the music.\\n\\nNevertheless, it remains recommended to seek out content that is free from such elements when reasonably available, as a means of precaution and distancing oneself from doubtful matters.\\n\\nAnd Allāh is the all-Knowing.\\n\\nFor a summary of scholarly views on music, see:  \"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://www.carolinaqa.com/q/668da0650b76658b4c23360b\"},\"insert\":\"https://www.carolinaqa.com/q/668da0650b76658b4c23360b\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fed0b76658b4c232951","tag":"Knowledge: Other","count":48},{"_id":"668da0640b76658b4c233609","tag":"Contemporary Life: Music","count":22}],"createdOn":"2025-05-22T03:08:47.649Z"}