Fatwa n° 543
Category: Fatwas about Family - Marriage Contract - Marriage Etiquette
The ruling concerning using
the plastic Duff (tambourine)
Question:
There is a divergence of opinions over the using of the plastic Duff:
- There are those who permitted it forasmuch as it is devoid of strings and that it has a single face (i.e., it cannot be considered as a drum), and that it remains permissible.
- While others prohibit it because of the material from which it is made. As you know, it is made of plastic. So, since it has the shape of Ad-Duff while the material from which it is made is plastic instead of the animal skin, then the ruling is shifted from permissibility to prohibition inasmuch as it becomes like any other musical instrument.
So, which consideration has the right ruling according to you? And what is the ruling regarding using this Duff? May Allah reward you.
Answer:
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers until the Day of Resurrection:
If the difference from the original Duff lies in the material from which it is made, which is the plastic, then attention should be paid to its musical rhythm. Given this, if it is similar to that of the original Duff, then they are alike. And if it resembles it, then it has its ruling. However, if it gives a different rhythm, then it is not permitted as the original one which is an exception [from the prohibition] pursuant to the hadiths of the Prophet صلّى الله عليه وسلّم, but it is counted among the whole musical instruments.
The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ; and our last prayer is all the praises and thanks are to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and prayers of Allah are to Muhammad and his Family, Companions and Brothers until the Day of Resurrection.
Algiers on Sha‘bân the 27th, 1427 H.
Corresponding to September the 20th, 2006 G.