What is the implication of the saying that singing cultivates hypocrisy in the heart?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
The statement that singing cultivates hypocrisy in the heart is attributed to Ahmad, though it is also reported from Ibn Mas'ud, with the sounder opinion suggesting it originates from Ibn Mas'ud. Regardless of the source, one who adopts singing as a profession, whether receiving payment or gathering people for performances using a male or female slave, lacks credibility in testimony. This is considered foolishness, degradation, and a lack of manliness by those who permit it, and by those who forbid it, it is considered disobedience alongside foolishness, marking the person as openly sinful. Al-Shafi'i and the Ashab al-Ra'y share this view regarding those who make it a profession.
Supporting text
If one sings only for themself, or if their slave sings only for them, the ruling on their testimony depends on the general disagreement regarding the permissibility of singing. Those who permit or dislike it do not have their testimony rejected. Those who forbid it rule that rejection of testimony occurs only if the person persists in the act, similar to other minor sins; if not persistent, testimony is not rejected. If someone performs it while believing it permissible, the measure of the madhhab suggests their testimony is not rejected for acts not widely notorious among differing subsidiary issues.