Lahv Al-Hadith

In simple words, Lahv refers to amusement and pastime. The term "Lahv" in some other verses
of the Quran refers to only ordinary amusements or entertainments which lead a person astray
from Allah and make him negligent of His remembrance.

Lahv Al-Hadith is basically anything that takes you away from Allah or towards the path of
wrong-doers. It includes anything from music, fun-making, joking, etc. Hazrat Abdullah Bin
Masood (R.A) was amongst those companions about whom the Holy Prophet (SAW) said that if
you want to learn Hadith, learn from them. He was asked, ‘What does Lahv al-hadith mean in
this verse?”. He swore three times that Lahv Al-Hadith refers to music and its apparatus. The
Holy Prophet (S.A.W) strongly condemned music and said that it quickly produces Nafak
(Hypocrisy) in a person.

In the 6th Ayat of Surah Luqman, Allah said, ”And there is among the men such a one also, who
buys alluring tales so that he may lead the people astray from Allah's Way, without any
knowledge, and make a mockery of the invitation to it. For such people there is a disgraceful
torment.’
This Ayat was revealed with reference to a particular incident. It so happened that Nadhr bin
Haris, a polytheist, went to Persia and bought chronicles containing stories of Chosroes, his
family and his generals. He also brought a bondswoman with him who was a skilled singer. He
told the people of Makkah that the Quran comprised mere tales while he had far more interesting
accounts together with songs and music to enjoy. He used to distract people from Holy Prophet’s
(SAW) by asking the girls to get attached to them and to sing. So the concept Lahv Al-Hadith
refers these things as haram as they were used by the non-believers to stop the message of Holy
Prophet (SAW). Similarly, these things (singing, dancing, musical instruments) which are being
referred as skills are diverting us from the worship of Allah. They are infact changing our
mindsets and causing us to do things haram (forbidden) in Islam.

Islam has strictly forbidden any act that takes you away from the remembrance of Allah and your
duties towards your lord whether it is singing, idle talk, music or any similar thing. In Surah Al-
Mominoon, Allah says,’ Successful are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who
turn away from pointless talk.’ Similarly, there are a number of Ahadith and sayings of the
companions of Holy Prophet (SAW) that condemn the above-mentioned acts. Hazrat Ali (RA)
said: “Every speech in which there is no remembrance of Allah is vain and useless.”

The singing of songs and celebrating things in wild manners was basically the concept of people
of Makkah before the advent of Islam. Holy Prophet (SAW) said, “The Almighty Allah has sent
me as a mercy to the worlds and to guide the people. He ordered me to eradicate the playing of
flute, other instruments of music, all games of vice, idol (worship) and all practices of the days of
ignorance.” Therefore, being a Muslim we should try to understand the concept of Lahv Al-
Hadith and try to follow it with our utter determination and will.