1- Islam is a religion which admires beauty which exists everywhere. The
Prophet himself once declared that God is perfection and He loves beauty.
Nevertheless Islam gives priority to morals over beauty, and that in itself
does not signify that Islam is against art. Islam thus considers that beauty
should be dependent on morals. This is the attitudes taken by Islam concerning
all branches of art. Islam's criterion when judging any branch or work of art
is based upon the rule that what is right is good and what is evil is wrong.
The
Quran draws our attention in many verses to the beauty of the Universe and the
perfection of its creation which is admired by everyone who sees it, (15/10;
16/6; 41/12). Accordingly Islam does not condemn any branch or work of art if
is beautiful. However, should it display any from of morally or materially
repulsiveness Islam condemns it.
2- If the aim of any work of art to appeal to one's intellect and finer
feelings, Islam naturally does not object to it. However, if it appeals to the
carnal instincts of man and is not a manifestation of decent art, by spreading
vice and an active factor in the deterioration of morals, Islam will condemn
it.
3- When musical melodies, singing, and the worlds of songs are refined and
harmonious, they are approved by Islam provided that they do not induce the
people who listen to them to succumb to any form of temptation forbidden by
God. In other words if art aspires to elevate the human emotions and the spirit
of man, it is not only approved, but is also admired. The prophet admired the
voice of Abu Moussa Al Ash'ary when he recited the Quran. The prophet also
chose, from among his companions those who were gifted with melodious voices to
proclaim the time of prayer. He also listened to musical instruments such as the
tambourine, the pipe and the flute without making any remarks that could be
interpreted as his dislike for music.
On
the day of the Feast, Abu Bakr entered the Prophet's house and found his
daughter 'Aisha - the Prophet's wife- listening to the singing of two bonds
maids who were also beating drums. When Abu Bakr objected, the Prophet
replied:" Leave them Abu Bakr: today is the day of the Feast''.
The
Prophet himself also asked his wife 'Aisha to send for someone to sing at the
wedding procession of her relative who was married to one of the the
inhabitants of Al Madina. There were numerous occasions when the prophet
indicated that neither music nor singing are prohibited in Islam, unless they
are accompanied by a form of immorality or vice
4-Regarding dancing Islam differentiates between men's dancing and women's
dancing .For example men dancing in a group is approved of by Islam, and the
prophet allowed his wife'Aisha, daughter of Abu Bakr, to watch a group of
Abyssinians dancing on the day of the Feast. Women dancing before other women
is permitted by Islam, but their dancing in front of men is prohibited in order
to eliminate any possibility of temptation, that may lead to immorality.
5- Acting is not prohibited providing it adheres to morality. No one can deny
the important role played by the art of acting in its dealing with and
treatment of many problems of the community. It also criticizes the vices
rampant in society and presents solutions to many matters that concern the
community.Also any form of reasonable and decent entertainment that does not
exceed the limits of decency is permitted by Islam. Photography is also
permitted by Islam and has come to be a necessity in the world of today.
6- There are definite religious rulings that prohibit sculpture and statues.
The reason for this prohibition goes back to the advent of Islam when most
people worshipped idols. Islam feared that statues might be worshipped by those
whose belief was superficial and that they might revert to the worship of
idols.
Currently
such a possibility does not arise and consequently no sin is committed.
However, Islam in order to prevent a recurrence of what took place in the pre-
Islamic era in the future or even in the distant future, has laid down its
ruling , since it legislates for all generations and eras and what may seem
impossible in one era may become a reality in another era, be it sooner or
later.