What is the ruling regarding rapping a nasheed?

The usage of musical instruments has been ruled as prohibited in the Shari’ah. The ruling will thus remain that of prohibition despite the usage of such tones being under the banner of “Anasheed”. As a result, the listening of such Anasheed will be ruled as impermissible. The late Grand Mufti of Pakistan Mufti Shafi Saheb Rahimahullah has mentioned that there is consensus on the prohibition of listening to musical instruments being played, even if it is merely music and unaccompanied by any words.

From this we are able to understand that the music itself is also prohibited despite not being accompanied by a song. In order for a Nasheed to be in compliance with the Shari’ah it must fulfill the following conditions;

1. It must not be sung merely for enjoyment and pass-time.

2. It must not be sung with distinct musical tunes that conform to the rhythms of musicians and singers.

3. It must not contain any unlawful or undesirable speech such as backbiting, mockery, or the description of any woman, etc.

4. It must be sung occasionally without leading to the omission or delaying of a compulsory act (such as Salaah or any other command of Allah or leading to committing any vice).

Although the content of a Nasheed may be of an Islamic nature lyrically, adoption of the rhythms and styles of the mainstream singers has also been prohibited (as mentioned in number 2).