On another thread it was mentioned that islam has a bit of a downer on stringed instruments. I thiought that seemed odd but anyway! Ok I can understand a lot of their objections to things even if I don't agree with them. Can some one tell me a) is this true and b) what "evil" to stringed instruments represent? Thanks.
Some Muslims believe all instruments except the voice and the drum and forbidden as only Allah can give music.
Others believe that instruments are fine and the zither is a very common string instrument used widely throughout Islamic countries.
Just as there are many different denominations of Christianity, there are different 'types' of Islam, and what is forbidden to one will be acceptable to another.
Instruments are never used in prayer or the call to prayer.
Music is banned by some religious extremists because they know how it affects people emotionally and are worried that it might lead them toward an alternative spirituality from the theocratic dogma.