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Year 9 - Religious education

Using ijtihad to understand differing Muslim attitudes to music

Religious law: What is the social context and relevance today?

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils examine how religions have created rules to live by. They will investigate how the ethics of Jesus reframed the Jewish law of the time and how Muslims may use the concept of ijtjihad to make moral decisions.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse different Islamic sources to better understand different Muslim worldviews regarding music.

Key Notes

  • The topic of music is something debated in Islam as to whether it is halal or haram.
  • Some Muslims believe that music is haram and interpret Islamic sources to make this argument.
  • Other Muslims interpret the sources differently to argue certain forms of music are permissible.
  • Analysing the way the different sources have been interpreted can allow us to better understand Muslim worldviews.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • halal: actions or things which are permitted within Islam
  • haram: any actions or things which are forbidden within Islam
  • ijtihad: the human effort and reasoning used to work out the Shariah
  • Shariah: a set of moral and religious laws that guide Muslims
  • worldview: a person's way of understanding, experiencing and responding to the world

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All Muslims think that music is haram or forbidden.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

The topic of music is something debated in Islam as to whether it is halal or haram. Some Muslims believe that music is haram and interpret Islamic sources to make this argument.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'halal'

actions or things which are permitted within Islam.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: All Muslims think that music is haram or forbidden. Correction: There is a diversity of Islamic worldviews regarding whether music can be listened to and the types of music that are permissible.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 Religious education guide library.