What is Sufi music about?

Answer 1

In Islam, music is prohibited because it is considered as a distraction when performing prayers and that one can forget doing Islamic duties.

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I think there is a debate among scholars regarding the legality of music in Islam. In fact there is no direct indication in the Quran forbidding music, but some scholars tend to infer that it is not allowed through other sources. These scholars do tend to allow music on certain days of the year and then only with certain instruments.

Within sufis, there are many traditions, and theories regarding music also tend to vary. Some traditions such as the Mehlve (turkey) and Chisti (sub-continent) favor music to a large degree, while other such as Naqshbandi (sub-continent, Middle East) and Qadri (sub-continent, middle east) are strictly against listening to music.

The most quoted answer as to why music should not be listened to is due to its strength in giving rise to base desires, especially if the music that is listened to is provoking the listener towards these feelings. Some music also tends to provoke anger and other 'non-beneficial' emotions, which are detrimental to one's soul.

However, some music gives strength to thoughts regarding God. Some music provoke feelings of kindness and charity. Some music increase love for faith and for humankind as a whole. This strength that music gives to one's imagination in such emotions is what causes others to not only validate music but also propagate its acceptance. This music, what gives rise to such emotions is traditionally considered Sufi music and can appear in many forms. With instrument and without instruments. It can take on many qualities, such as qawalies, chants and taranas. It is truly an institution in its own, tracing its roots to more that a 1000 years in recent history.

Truly, music causes much confusion among scholar, since how can something that evokes such kindness in humans be totally forbidden, and on the other hand something that distracts and causes rise to base emotions is obviously detrimental.

My personal belief is that if you feel that you shouldn't listen to music, then consider it forbidden to yourself. But if you find yourself remembering God and feeling love for your fellow human beings, then by all means indulge to a degree that your heart allows.

If you are inspiring towards Sufism, then it is my sincerest advice, seek a teacher before indulging yourself fully in music. Only then will you be able to understand what it is.