Question:

In some mosques in the Philippines and elsewhere, drums are used to call people to prayer, followed by the Adhan afterwards. Is this permissible in Islam?

​Answer:

Drums and similar musical instruments are instruments of amusement, so it is not permissible to use them to inform people when the time for prayer has entered or is approaching. Rather, this is a “forbidden innovation” (bid’ah muharramah).

​The obligation is to suffice with the legal Adhan. It is authentically established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces into this matter of ours something that is not from it, it will be rejected.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Al-‘Irbad ibn Sariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered to us a profound exhortation that made our hearts tremble and our eyes shed tears. We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is as if this is a farewell sermon, so advise us.’ He said: ‘I advise you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed over you. Verily, whoever among you lives after me will see much differing, so you must adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs who are guided. Cling to it with your molar teeth, and beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is misguidance.’“ Narrated by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who graded it a good and authentic hadith.

And Allah is the Grantor of success. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.