Is It Permissible to Listen to Songs in Kid’s Movies?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
There is a popular Disney movie called Moana. Many little kids, esp. little girls, love listening to the song “You’re Welcome” from it because of its catchy tune. However, it revolves around meeting a demi-god of wind and sea. Some lyrics are like the below:
“What can I say except, “You’re welcome” – For the tides, the sun, the sky…for the islands I pulled from the sea, there’s no need to pray, it’s okay – You’re welcome
Ha, I guess it’s just my way of being me.”
Is this haram for kids to listen to? If yes, what should be done if a Muslim parent you know plays it for their child nearby? Usually, people feel it is innocent because it isn’t just like the magic in Harry Potter.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
The lyrics of the above Disney movie are problematic because it is giving a message of moving away from the divine oneness of Allah Most High with lyrics like:
- ‘no need to pray’ ‘when you’re staring at a demi-god.’
- ‘Hey, what has two thumbs that pulled up the sky, When you were waddling yay high, This guy’
- ‘Oh, also, I lassoed the sun. You’re welcome’ and relying on the Demi-god.
If a child constantly sings or has these words imprinted in their mind, it will profoundly affect them. Therefore, try other alternative Islamic songs for children, and there are many. Explain to them in their language how important it is to believe what we believe in. See the links below. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
We also have a rich tradition of songs, nasheeds, odes, and poetry in Islam. Then, slowly get them engaged in listening to the Quran and its reading. Giving them an alternative and searching for these halal Islamic songs is essential. Better for them and you in your lifelong nurturing of the soul and faith building.
Check these links:
Raising Children with Deen and Dunya – SeekersGuidance
Is it permissible to listen to non-Islamic songs, if the song is merely vocals having no bad words or meanings? – SeekersGuidance
(7) 113 – On Music and Singing – Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhamadiyya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani – YouTube
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on
SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)
I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey.
He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His personal interest is the love of books and gardening.
