[Q 570] Selling Toys Containing Music

QUESTION:

Nowadays there are many items sold which contain music even though they aren’t bought for that reason. What is the ruling regarding selling these items (if one no longer has a need for them) and the income that comes from it?

If such income is haram, what would you advise the person to do regarding that income?

Would these steps also be applicable for the one who sold items like these while not knowing it was haram?

ANSWER:

Music-containing toys are of two types:

The first type consists of those which are specifically made for music, such as guitar, violin, piano, baja (musical instrument), dhol (drum), bansuri (flute), etc. Selling and buying such toys is na-ja’iz (impermissible) and gunah (sinful).

The second type consists of those toys which are not originally made for music, but music has been added to them, such as toys shaped like animals or different characters, cars, dolls, swings, etc., where upon pressing a specific part or turning on a button, music begins to play. In these, the original objective is not music. Even in such toys, the music system should be removed before selling, for example, by cutting the music wire, or if possible, installing some nazm (poem) without music instead. It is not permissible to sell such toys with music.

It is stated in Hidayah:

“و دلت المسئلۃ علی أن الملاھی کلھا حرام حتی التغنی لضرب القضیب”
(Al-Hidayah, Volume 4, Page 365, Beirut)

‘Allamah Shami رحمۃ اللہ علیہ, under the statement of Durr al-Mukhtar “وکرہ کل لھو”, writes:

“والإطلاق شامل لنفس الفعل و استماعہ کالرقص و السخریۃ والتصفیق و ضرب الأوتار من الطنبور و البربط و الرباب والقانون والمزمار و الصنج و البوق فإنھا کلھا مکروھۃ لأنھا زی الکفار واستماع ضرب الدف والمزمار و غیر ذلک حرام”
(Radd al-Muhtar, Volume 9, Page 566)

A‘la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رحمہ اللہ تعالی states:

“The wealth which is acquired through rishwat (bribery), or taghanni (singing/music), or theft, it is Fard (obligatory) upon the one who took it to return it to those from whom it was taken. If they are no longer alive, then it should be given to their heirs. If they cannot be located, then it should be given in sadaqah (charity) to the fuqara (poor). To use this wealth in buying and selling or in any work is haram qat‘i (absolutely unlawful). Without the aforementioned method, there is no way of being relieved from its burden.”

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Volume 23, Page 551, Raza Foundation)

Therefore, if income was earned through selling such impermissible items, it is necessary to return it to the buyers if possible. If this is not possible, then it should be given in charity to the poor, and it is not permissible to use it for personal benefit.

If someone sold such items without knowing that it was haram, the same ruling applies regarding the wealth. However, due to ignorance, the sin may be excused, but once aware, it is necessary to repent (tawbah) and dispose of the impermissible income in the manner described above.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 25th February 2026.