What Is The Ruling On Women Singing?

Although The Issue Of Women’s Singing Comes Up From Time To Time And Causes Various Reactions, Certainly The Opinion Of The Religious Authorities (Maraji) Is The Main Answer For Us In This Matter. In This Report, Alongside Explaining The Philosophy Behind The Prohibition Of Ghina (Singing) And Its Harmful Effects, These Points Are Collected.

Two Meanings Are Mentioned For Ghina: “General Meaning” And “Specific Meaning.” The Specific Meaning Is What We Said, That Is, Songs That Stimulate Desires And Are Suitable For Parties Of Immorality And Debauchery.

Philosophy Behind The Prohibition Of Ghina

Careful Consideration Of The Concept Of “Ghina” Along With The Conditions Explained In Its Discussion Makes The Philosophy Of Its Prohibition Clear.

In This Topic, A Brief Review Shows The Following Corruptions:

A) Encouragement Of Moral Corruption
Experience Has Shown That Many People Under The Influence Of Ghina Songs Abandon The Path Of Piety And Abstinence And Turn To Desires And Corruption.

The Ghina Gatherings Are Usually Centers Of Various Corruptions, And What Encourages These Corruptions Is Ghina Itself.

In Some Reports In Foreign Newspapers, It Is Said That In A Gathering Where There Were Girls And Boys, When A Special Ghina Song Was Performed, Such Excitement Gripped Them That They Attacked Each Other And Caused Many Disasters That Are Too Shameful To Mention.

Nowadays, Drugs Are Not Just A Commercial Issue But An Important Political Tool—Colonial Policies. Establishing Prostitution Centers, Gambling Clubs, And Other Unhealthy Entertainments, Including The Spread Of Ghina And Music, Are Among The Most Important Tools They Insist On To Numb People's Minds. For This Reason, Music Constitutes A Large Part Of Radio Time Worldwide And Is A Major Topic In Mass Media Programs.

If We See That Islamic Narrations Frequently Say Ghina Breeds The Spirit Of Hypocrisy In The Heart, It Refers To This Fact: The Spirit Of Hypocrisy Means Being Tainted With Corruption And Moving Away From Piety And Abstinence. Also, Narrations Say Angels Do Not Enter A House Where Ghina Is Present Because Angels Are Pure And Seek Purity And Are Disgusted By These Polluted Environments.

B) Forgetting The Remembrance Of God
The Term “Lehw” (Amusement) Mentioned In Some Islamic Narrations As The Interpretation Of Ghina Refers To This Truth That Ghina Makes A Person So Drunk With Desires That They Forget God’s Remembrance.

In A Hadith From Imam Ali (AS) It Is Said: “Anything That Causes A Person To Forget God (And Fall Into Desires) Is Like Gambling.”

C) Harmful Effects On The Nerves
Ghina And Music Are Actually One Of The Important Factors That Numb The Nerves. In Other Words, Drugs Sometimes Enter The Body Orally (Like Alcohol), Sometimes Through Smelling (Like Heroin), Sometimes By Injection (Like Morphine), And Sometimes Through The Sense Of Hearing (Like Ghina).

For This Reason, Certain Ghina Songs Sometimes Put People Into A State Similar To Intoxication. Sometimes They Don’t Reach This Stage But Still Cause Mild Numbing. Many Harms Of Drugs Are Present In Ghina, Whether The Numbing Is Mild Or Strong.

Some Books About The Harmful Effects Of Music On The Human Nervous System Mention Cases Where Famous Musicians And Singers Have Suddenly Suffered Strokes Or Died During Performances.

Generally, The Harmful Effects Of Ghina And Music On The Nervous System Can Lead To Insanity, Affect The Heart And Blood Pressure, And Cause Other Undesirable Stimulations, Which Need No Further Discussion.

Statements From Prominent Religious Authorities:

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei:
If A Woman’s Voice (Whether Solo Or In Duet With Women Or Men) Is Not Ghina And Listening To It Is Not For Pleasure Or Suspicion And No Harm Results, There Is No Problem. If It Causes Harm Or Stimulates Lust, It Is Not Permissible.

Ayatollah Sistani:
A Woman’s Singing Is Not Forbidden Unless It Includes Softening And Praise That Usually Excites The Listener’s Lust. In This Case, It Is Forbidden For Men. This Refers To False Speech Sung In A Way Suitable For Amusement Gatherings.

Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi:
All Songs And Voices Suitable For Amusement And Corruption Gatherings Are Forbidden, Others Are Permissible. However, Permissible Singing For Women Is Allowed Only If The Gathering Is Exclusive For Women, Whether They Sing Together Or Alone.

Ayatollahs Khomeini, Fazel Lankarani, Bahjat, Safi Golpayegani, And Vahid Khorasani:
Listening To A Woman’s Singing Voice Is Absolutely Not Permissible.

What Is The Ruling On A Woman Singing In Mixed Gender Gatherings?
a) Quran Recitation
b) Mourning Songs
c) Non-Musical Singing

Although A Woman’s Voice Is Not A Non-Mahram Voice And Singing By A Woman Is Not Prohibited Per Se, Whenever The Singing Or The Content Of The Poems Incites Lust, Listening To A Woman’s Voice By Anyone Other Than Her Husband Is Forbidden.

Ayatollah Sistani:
If There Is No Fear Of Sin, It Is Permissible. But It Is Not Permissible To Beautify Or Soften The Voice In A Way That Usually Causes Lust.

Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani:
It Is Corrupting And Not Permissible. And God Knows Best.

Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani:
Under Current Conditions, Where It Usually Causes Harm, It Is Not Permissible. And If It Is Ghina, It Is Forbidden.

Question: What Is The Ruling On A Woman Singing In Mixed Gender Gatherings?
a) Quran Recitation
b) Mourning Songs
c) Non-Musical Singing

If She Sings Or Performs Ghina, It Is Forbidden. If She Speaks In Sympathy, It Is Disliked.

Ayatollah Golpayegani:
Women And Girls Should Not Recite Quran With Voice In The Presence Of Non-Mahrams.

Majma' Al-Masa'il, Vol. 2, p. 231, Question 652

Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi:
It Is Not Permissible.

Questions Answered By The Response Unit Of Jame'at Al-Zahra (Qom):

Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani:
If It Causes Corruption, It Is Problematic.

Thousand And One Jurisprudential Issues, Vol. 2, p. 164, Question 545