Question to the noble scholar, Muhammad Ibn Sālih al-ʿUthaimeen (rahimahullāh):
Is it allowed for men to sing Islamic nasheeds? And is it allowed for them, alongside these songs to beat a drum (duff)? Are nasheeds allowed outside of the ʿEids and times of joy?
Answer: The Islamic nasheed is innovated singing in imitation of what the Sufis have innovated. For this reason, it is a must that one turns away from it – and instead turns to the admonitions of the Quran and Sunnah, except at times of war where the nasheeds can be used to assist with inciting bravery and striving in the way of Allah, the Most High – this is good.
If the singing is combined with the playing of a duff (drum), then that is even further away from what is correct.
Fatawa Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Sālih al-ʿUthaimeen (1/134), see al-Bidʿah wal-Muhadathāt wa mā lā Asla lahu, p. 229.
