MANY Muslims avoid discussing the subject of entertainment because they fear that they will end up with a verdict that much of what they do for entertainment is wrong and cannot be approved by Islam. Yet this is a wrong perception, resulting from the fact that many Muslim countries went through a long period when education was poor and limited to a very small proportion of the population. This was particularly true in the 19th century, and under colonial rule stretching well into the 20th century.
We should remember that Islam is a religion that caters for all life’s needs, and that people cannot continue to function without enjoying periods of relaxation and entertainment. The Prophet provided us with perfect guidance, giving each aspect of life its due measure. Once Abu Bakr came to visit his daughter, Aishah, the Prophet’s wife. He found two maids singing. He told them off and reproached his daughter, saying: “Is Satan’s trumpet to be heard in the Prophet’s house?” The Prophet, who was reclining on a sofa, revealed his face and said to him: “Leave them alone, Abu Bakr, for these are Eid days.” The Hadith mentions that this took place at the time of Eid Al-Adha, when pilgrims perform their Haj rituals.
Thus the Prophet teaches us to put every thing in its proper place. Eid is an occasion of pleasure and enjoyment. There is no harm in having some entertainment, even with a woman singing. The report about the Abyssinians dancing in the mosque is often mentioned. A delegation from Abyssinia came to see the Prophet and pledge their loyalty to him. Most probably, these were some of those who adopted Islam as a result of the advocacy efforts undertaken by the Muslims who immigrated there. Those Abyssinians wanted to entertain the Prophet with a show of their folk dancing. This took place in the mosque, with Aishah watching from her position behind the Prophet, placing her head on his shoulder.
On another occasion, the Prophet was informed by his wife that she attended an Ansari woman’s wedding. He asked her: “What entertainment did you have? The Ansar enjoy a bit of entertainment.” Aishah indicated that there was none and the Prophet said that they should have had some singing. He even suggested the words to sing.
There were several occasions when the Prophet either suggested that there should be some singing, or approved of it, or corrected people’s attitude when they expressed disapproval. The Prophet was with his wife, Umm Salamah, when a maid of Hassan ibn Thabit came in, with her hair untied and a tambourine in her hand. Umm Salamah reproached her, but the Prophet said: “Leave her alone, Umm Salamah. Every community has their festive occasion, and today is our Eid.”
On another occasion, the Prophet was at Aishah’s place when a woman came in. The Prophet asked Aishah whether she knew the woman, but she said she did not. The Prophet said: “This is the singer of this clan. Do you like her to sing for you?” She did some singing.