Dance and Music in Islam

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at Islam's view on dance and music. According to the paper, although 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. The paper goes on to say that several avenues of worship within Islam have developed into the practice of reaching God through dance or music. The paper focuses specifically on the Quwalli and the Mevelevi Order, also known as The Whirling Dervishes.

From the Paper:

"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."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Holy Quran with English Translation and Commentary. Ed. Mahmud Ahmad Bashiruddin. 5 vols. Tilford, Surrey: Islam International Publications, 1988.
• Sadler, A. Mysticism and Devotion in the Music of the Qawwali. New York: Performing Arts Program of the Asia Society, 1974.
• Shiloah, Amnon. Music in Islam: A Socio-Cultural History. London: Ashgate Publishing,1995.

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