The Ruling on Using the Daf in Islamic Music and Recitations
Question: Is it permissible to recite or listen to a naat with a daf (frame drum)? It is said that when the Prophet ﷺ returned from the Throne (Arsh), people played the daf and sang “Mawla Ya Sallim Dā’iman.” Is this true?
Answer: Just as other musical instruments are prohibited, the daf is also generally prohibited. However, there are certain occasions where its use is allowed, such as during Eid, weddings, and when returning from a journey. The daf can only be played by women, and men are not permitted to use it.
In general situations, the daf is prohibited, just like other musical instruments. Therefore, using the daf with a naat, qasida, or hamd is not permissible according to Shariah. As for the claim that “Mawla Ya Sallim Dā’iman” was recited with the daf when the Prophet ﷺ returned from the Throne, this is a false statement. There is no evidence for such a claim in Shariah. Moreover, this naat is from contemporary times, and the Prophet ﷺ did not return from the Throne but from the heavens, or one could say he returned from Mi’raj.
✍ Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi
❪Jeddah Dawah Center – Al-Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia❫