How Do I Give Up Playing the Piano After Devoting Years To Developing My Talent?


Question: I am a born-Muslim who’s only started practising recently. I cannot bring myself to give up playing the piano. I have been playing it since my childhood, and I am very talented at it, alhamdulillah (or not, apparently). If I give it up now, I will have wasted years of my life and disappoint many people. It benefits me as well because playing it or listening to it relaxes me. I do not do anything haram with it. What do I do?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that you are going through this hardship. I pray that Allah sends you clarity and tranquility regarding this and gives you a reward that you never dreamed of.

 

The Ruling

First, see the rulings at these links. You must be convinced about that first before taking any steps:

 

Answer On Music

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/enjoying-music-disbelief/

 

Leaving Something For Allah

Abu Qatadah reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah Almighty but that Allah will replace it with something better.” [Musnad Ahmad]

Although right now, you can’t see beyond the idea of leaving the piano, I guarantee you with the utmost certainty that leaving it will lead you to greater happiness. There is nothing more beloved to Allah than breaking an attachment, leaving a sin, or walking away from one’s own desire. The result? This good deed will last an eternity and you are sending it forth to the Day of Judgment.

 

Obedience To the Creator

The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “There is no obedience to any created being if it involves disobedience to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Disappointing your parents, teachers, or friends is of no consequence. Allah’s pleasure is the priority and people cannot help you in your grave or in front of Allah on the Last Day. As such, you should be kind to them, explain your position and perhaps a spark in their heart will inspire them to change as well.

 

Gift

The only way to see this situation is as a blessing. When Allah wants to pull a servant close to one, he blesses them with knowledge and the will and ability to apply it. This is the mightiest gift that one can receive and one should accept it with gratitude and supplication for even more guidance. I feel that once you have removed these attachments from your heart, you will find that it is filled with something deeper, greater, and more fulfilling.

 

Replacement

Finally, I encourage you to use your musical inclinations for good. One can learn to play the daff (one-sided drum) or sing or even make rhythmic dhikr. I am positive that you will find happiness, peace, and tranquility that you never felt before.

See this answer as well:
https://seekersguidance.org/articles/general-artices/leaving-sin-outward-inward-shaykh-faraz-rabbani-at-seekershub-wwwseekershuborg/

May Allah bless you and give the best of this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.