Title: Is it a Bid`ah to Hold Music and Making Pictures Prohibited? Question: From the knowledge I have of the Qur'an, there are no prohibitions as regard to music or picture making, yet many scholars declare both haraam on the basis of hadiths. Do you think this could be termed as innovation? As they have no basis in the Qur'an or Sunnah . I await your response Kind regards Mohammed Amjid Khan United Kingdom Answer: The difference of opinion regarding the prohibition of music and that of making pictures relates to a difference of interpretation and placement of some of the narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh). Differences of opinions arising out of such differences of interpretation and placement of a saying ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) do not fall in the category of bid`ah (innovation) or making unauthorized and unsubstantiated additions to the corpus of Islam. The most that we can say in such cases is that we do not consider the opposing view to be based upon an accurate interpretation and placement of the related sayings of the Prophet (pbuh). In all such cases of differences of opinion, it is important that even after being confident about the accuracy of our own interpretation and opinion, we must try our best to safeguard against complacency and self-righteousness and keep our hearts and minds open for each and every bit of Truth that we may encounter and understand. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad August 27, 2002