Is Listening to Guided Relaxation Audio Permissible?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
Is it permissible to listen to a guided relaxation or meditation audio?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate
Guided relaxation audio is permissible when its content is permissible, that is, when it confines itself to things like calm breathing, easing the body, and quieting the mind, and does not call to beliefs or values at odds with Islam.
If the audio carries another creed beneath the calm, summoning “the universe,” teaching that the self is divine, or steeping the listener in a spirituality foreign to faith, it is not permissible.
This is because the harm is in what it plants, not in the rest it gives.
Be wary, too, of anything that asks you to surrender your will or awareness entirely, as in hypnosis; a believer keeps the reins of the heart and mind.
The Plainly Good Relaxation and Means of True Peace
What is plainly good and better than any of it is the relaxation the believer already has access to.
Listening to the Quran, to the remembrance of Allah (dhikr), and to sound devotional song (nashid) calms the heart and is itself rewarded.
Allah Most High says, “Verily by the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.” [Quran 13:28; Keller, The Quran Beheld]
The Islamic spiritual tradition also encourages meditative deep breathing, as well as remembrance (dhikr) and reflection (fikr).
Strive to follow the Prophetic sunna to “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.”’ [Tirmidhi] Do this in your walking, your work, and your rest, and especially in times of stress.
Let your tongue, heart, and mind be engaged in this remembrance.
Remain consistent with these words, and you will find peace in your heart and a growing sense of presence with Allah.
Let Your Calm Come from Remembrance
Thus, judge the audio by its content, and where you can, choose the remembrance of Allah over a substitute.
As a next step, if you are using a secular relaxation track, check what it actually teaches, and try replacing it with recited Quran, a short dhikr, or breath paired with the remembrance of Allah before sleep, or at any time.
The peace it brings will reach deeper than any track, for it is the very peace Allah promised the hearts that turn to Him.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School.” This book, published by White Thread Press in 2004, is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
