'The Ether We Call Music'

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 20 June 2024 Woh Kambakht Hai Jo Kahta Hai Mausiqi Haraam Hai Mausiqi Khud Deen Hai Toh Darkaar-E-Deen Kyon Hai? Unknown (He's a worthless person who says that music is forbidden / When music is a faith in itself, why should it require a religion's sanction?) Yes, when (soulful) music is your faith, you don't require a man-made faith. Once in Pakistan, I asked the legendary Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hasan, "Kya Islam Mein Mausiqi Vaaqa'eeHaraam Hai?" (Is music really forbidden in Islam?). He laughed and said, "Mullaon Ke Liye Bhale Hi Ho, Kisi Musalman Ke Liye Nahin. Vaise Bhi JisCheez Se DilonKoRaahatMiltiHoVohKaiseHaraam Mein ShumaarHo Sakti Hai?" (It could be forbidden for the mullahs but not for a faithful Muslim. Otherwise also, what provides solace to the hearts and minds cannot be considered as sinful). Music is the purest and most pristine form of human existence. Meeraji aptly wrote, "Qabl-e-Kainaat Bhi Kuchh MaujoodTha/ Main Waqt Ki Nahin Suron Ki Baat Kar Raha Hoon" (There was something in existence even prior to the universe / I'm not talking about time, I'm talking about notes). The universal language of music binds all humans. "Zabaan-e-Shamsheer-O-Khanjar Se Jab DilGhabraneLage / Mutrib Koi SaazChhed Ke DilGaaneLage" (When the language of swords and daggers starts intimidating/ Let the musician play a tune to create soulfulness). Music creates soulfulness with its soulful notes and cadences. The great German composer and musician of the late Baroque period, Johann Sebastian Bach would always say, "Whole day, I'm busy in paying obeisance to my music that often deviates me from god but at night in my dreams, god appears and says, I was also listening to music." One who listens to the notes of music, understands the language of the cosmos. "Kaainaat Mein Jazb Hua Jaata Hoon/ Lagta Hai Farishton Ne Koi SaazChheda Hai" (I'm getting merged into the universe/ Methinks, angels have played some divine music). Music has a celestial language. C G Jung believed that extremely sensitive and discerning individuals can listen to the all-pervasive music that permeates the universe. The imaginary word 'Ether' was first used as a medium for floating the notes of cosmic music. English poet Algernon Charles Swinburne aptly said, "The ether we call music." To appreciate music is to appreciate life and be thankful to the universe/ nature/ god for all that has been bestowed upon us. Music unfolds our most gentle dimensions and sublimates them. Listen to Mehdi Hasan's evergreen "Mujhe Tum Nazar Se Gira Toh Rahe Ho," Rafi's immortal number, "Din Dhal Jaaye Hai Raat Na Jaaye" or Ludwig van Beethoven's ethereal symphonies, you'll not long for anything else, not even the tenderest touch of a beloved. Let's appreciate music to retain the semblance of softness that we still have, albeit entombed in the blind and deepest crevices of our hard-shell existence. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/ether-music/d/132545 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism