A Forgotten Sunnah | Closing Ears With Fingers Upon Hearing Music

A Forgotten Sunnah | Closing Ears With Fingers Upon Hearing Music

• Nāfi’ narrated that Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما heard the sound of a wind instrument playing.
• As a result of this he placed his fingers in his ears and turned his riding camel away from the road (on which the music was playing).

Ibn ‘Umar said: “Nāfi’ can you hear it?” I said: “Yes”. Ibn ‘Umar continued riding with his fingers in his ears until I said: “I can’t hear it anymore.” After that, Ibn ‘Umar removed his fingers from his ears and changed the road he was riding on.

Then Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما said: “I saw the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ place his fingers in his ears when he heard wind instruments and music playing.”

● [أبو داود ٤٩٤٣ ،احمد ٢\٨ ،صححه الألباني]

as-Suyūtī رحمه الله said the example of Nāfi’ is a proof that there is no sin upon the one who listens to music unintentionally.