Sheikh Salmān Al-'Imād ḥafidhahullāh said:
20 June 2024 • 4.6K views
Any poetry that is recited in a melodious manner is considered Inshaad. It is said, أنشد الشعر if one recites poetry [melodiously]. This is the origin. However, Inshaad may also refer to the mere reading of poetry; from the angle of الإعلان (announcing), such as إنشاد الضالة (announcing a lost item). This is found in scholarly texts; for instance, إنشاد الشعر في المسجد
reciting poetry in the masjid.
As for contemporary usage, then Inshaad/Nasheed refers to poetry set to a melody, accompanied by musical instruments. They call them Inshaad/Nasheed when accompanied by musical instruments, and they often resemble the melodies of musicians and the like. Some of them may contain creedal and methodological errors. They are used as a means of Da'wah and attracting youth, relying on the voices of young men and similar to this. They refer to them as "Islamic Nasheeds," which is known among the Ikhwanis as a method of Da'wah. It is well-known in their Da'wah. They have excelled in this, and it initially started without musical instruments until it became a type of singing, indistinguishable from singing except for some words. Otherwise, the instruments and music, and the like, are very similar.
As for the melodious recitals of knowledge-based poems using beautiful voices from those whom Allāh has endowed with good voices, for the purpose of listening and repetition (memorisation), and similarly, poetry compositions that contain admonishments and ascetic themes, far from musical instruments and entertainment, this is considered Inshaad. However, it is a permissible form of Inshaad, not a prohibited one, as long as it does not resemble the voices of singers and is not accompanied by musical instruments or obvious added sound effects. If it does, then it's better to avoid them altogether - even if it is not music. Yes, may Allāh bless you.
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