Topic:
Adding Music to Build Ambience in a Game
(No-32385)
Assalamu Alaikum!
I have a question for you. I am a developer and have been creating my own game for almost 4 years. This project is a big business, and, inshaAllah, thanks to it I will be able to realize my dreams: build mosques, give a trip to Umrah to my family and friends. I also want to help people, give sadaka, etc. That's why I'm creating this project. InshaAllah, the game will bring great benefits.
I have been asking in dua for 3 years now that Allah will grant me success in this endeavor. And, Alhamdulillah, He answers my prayers! Everything is just perfect!
Now to the heart of the matter. The game almost needs music because it creates a strong atmosphere, which is very important. Without atmosphere, a project may fail: players will be discouraged from continuing, leading to poor reviews and, ultimately, a decline in interest. Sound design and music are critical to games, as successful developers attest.
I want to clarify that the music in the game will be without words to avoid any inappropriate themes. It will serve solely to create the right atmosphere, as I said, is extremely important for the success of the project.
I realize that music is haram in Islam. However in my case:
There are no words in it.
The purpose of its use is not entertainment, but the success of the project, which, inshaAllah, will serve great good purposes.
My intention is not to force people to listen to music and waste time on it (which is one of the aspects of its ban), but to increase immersion in the game. The game itself will have a deep meaning and will be halal. I don't try to create something forbidden.
In addition, I do not post music from the game separately - neither on social networks, nor on YouTube, nor on Spotify. I don't want people to waste time listening to it. Music will only play during gameplay or during story scenes to emphasize emotions and not distract from prayer or the Qur'an. This decision remains with the person himself.
Do you think using music this way would be considered a sin? May Allah be pleased with you for your answer!
According to Shariah, music is Haram (prohibited), and its prohibition is explicitly established in the Qur’an and the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ. No one has the authority to cancel this ruling. Using music with good intentions or for a meaningful purpose does not change its ruling; it remains prohibited, and listening to it remains a sin.
Therefore, you should avoid using music for any purpose.
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دلائل:
القرآن الکریم: (سورۃ لقمن، رقم الآیۃ: 6)
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌo
الدر المختار مع رد المحتار: (349/6، ط: دار الفکر)
صوت اللهو والغناء ينبت النفاق في القلب كما ينبت الماء النبات. قلت: وفي البزازية استماع صوت الملاهي كضرب قصب ونحوه حرام لقوله - عليه الصلاة والسلام - "استماع الملاهي معصية والجلوس عليها فسق والتلذذ بها كفر" أي بالنعمة فصرف الجوارح إلى غير ما خلق لأجله كفر بالنعمة لا شكر فالواجب كل الواجب أن يجتنب كي لا يسمع لما روي "أنه - عليه الصلاة والسلام - أدخل أصبعه في أذنه عند سماعه" وأشعار العرب لو فيها ذكر الفسق تكره اه أو لتغليظ الذنب كما في الاختيار أو للاستحلال كما في النهاية.
(قوله ينبت النفاق) أي العملي (قوله كضرب قصب) الذي رأيته في البزازية قضيب بالضاد المعجمة والمثناة بعدها (قوله فسق) أي خروج عن الطاعة ولا يخفى أن في الجلوس عليها استماعا لها والاستماع معصية فهما معصيتان.
Allah the Almighty knows best.
Darul ifta Al-Ikhlas, Karachi.