Debates on Music in Muslim Society: Historical Continuity and Contemporary Perspectives

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Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical development of theological and philosophical views on music within Islamic civilization, as well as their manifestations in contemporary Kazakhstani society. The study examines the formation of classical legal positions regarding the statuses of music: haram, makruh, and mubah. Particular attention is given to the influence of melody on the human spiritual world within the framework of Islamic aesthetics and Sufi tradition, considering the works of thinkers such as al-Ghazali, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and Turkic Sufi poetry. Music is analyzed as a means of moral education and ethical self-improvement. Furthermore, contemporary approaches of official religious institutions to evaluating music are discussed, taking into account its content and social impact. In the Kazakhstani context, the historical and cultural continuity between the national musical heritage — dombra-küy, terme — and Islamic values is emphasized, highlighting the discrepancy between radical discourses and traditional religious worldviews. The article proposes a universal principle for the Sharia-based assessment of music: melody is inherently neutral in its value, while its religious and ethical status is determined by its content, performance context, and societal influence. This approach allows for the harmonization of spiritual traditions with contemporary cultural practices, creating a foundation for a rational and ethically justified perception of music in Islamic society.