Dance and Music in Islam

¶ … Dance and Music in Islam Though there are many groups within Islam that profess that music and dancing are forbidden, it is clear that the Qu'ran itself does not explicitly prohibit these activities. In fact, several avenues of worship within Islam have developed into the practice of reaching God through dance or music. These practices have become a central activity through which worship is performed and communication with God is achieved within many sects of Islam.

Specifically, Quwalli and the Mevelevi Order, also known as The Whirling Dervishes clearly demonstrate how worship has been translated into art forms of music and dance. These two practices, along with the purer form of the Qari, or "reader" show how intrinsically musical the Qu'ran, and therefore the practice of Islam, is. The Qu'ran itself is viewed as a poetic work. Simply its oral recitation takes on a dramatically poetic sound even in the most inexperienced of hands. The Qari, or "reader" is an individual who recites the Qu'ran.

It is most desirable for this person to have memorized the Qu'ran to perform his duties, but there is little else in the way of formal technique. His goal is to help deliver the word of Allah through recitation of His word. This role has become extremely competitive, and though the words themselves are a strict regurgitation of the Qu'ran, the interpretation of the sound of the language is unique to each Qari.

Their dedication and passion should ideally be translated through their voice as they recite the sacred passages, and if they are successful then their passion should infect and reach out to those who listen. More intentionally musical is the Sufic tradition of the Quwalli. Quwali means "word," and can be thought of as the physical and auditory manifestation of the divine voice.

As with the Quri, the Quwallis use their voice as a tool of worship, but they move into the world of interpretation and individual expression of the words themselves. They can be likened to the Gospel singers of the Western world in this respect, though this may be a misleading comparison since the Sufi practice, from which the Quwalli find their beginnings and roots, is far more steeped in history and tradition and could be considered a more "serious" endeavor.

Quwallis use the music of their voices to worship foremost, and to communicate and encourage their listeners to worship with them is a secondary concern. The Whirling Dervishes are an excellent example of how dance can be a key element in Islamic worship. Everything about the practice, including costumes and the dancers' posture reflect the goal of the performance, which is worship and an attempt to gain access to a spiritual link to God.

Though music is an important part of their practice, The Whirling Dervishes use their bodies in a more physical manner to express their devotion to Allah. Their ritual dance, called "sema," is a highly spiritual act. Each element of the dance, including the costume, is a representation of something divine, or specifically designed to show respect, love, and worship to the Prophet or Allah.

Though the sema is performed for an audience, the main goal is not to entertain, but instead for the individual dancer to recognize his or her submission to God, to ultimately enter into a state of nirvana and to join together with the forces of nature and connect with God, and then to finally descend back to earth to the humble task of being a servant.

It isn't about letting go of any kind of control, but it is designed to allow the practitioner to escape the mundane for a few moments, and to provide them with something to reflect on in prayer after the dance is complete. The Qu'ran states, "Say, 'Who prohibited the nice things God has created for His creatures, and the good provisions?' Say,' such provisions are to be enjoyed in THIS life by those who BELIEVE.

Moreover, the good provisions will be exclusively theirs on the Day of resurrection.' We thus explain the revelations for people who know." (Qu'ran 7:32). Through this verse we see that those who use the gifts of voice and movement that was granted to us by God as a tool to worship are more demonstrative of their appreciation of God's work, and therefore closer to God than those who would ignore these blessings.

The ability to make music is a divine gift, and the best way to thank such a loving and profound gift is to use it to worship the individual who gave it to us. Worship that does not include the use of such gifts, or to worship in a manner that is limited in the use of these God-given gifts.