Melody and Soul, Reconciling Classical Islamic Perspectives on Samāʿ and its Contemporary Engagement

Nusrat, Alman

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Melody and Soul, Reconciling Classical Islamic Perspectives on Samāʿ and its Contemporary Engagement

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Nusrat, Alman. Melody and Soul, Reconciling Classical Islamic Perspectives On Samāʿ and Its Contemporary Engagement. ctschicago.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/1ef5c490-552a-4704-a0a2-d6e9d7a9df04?locale=en.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

N. Alman. Melody and Soul, Reconciling Classical Islamic Perspectives on Samāʿ and its Contemporary Engagement. https://ctschicago.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/1ef5c490-552a-4704-a0a2-d6e9d7a9df04?locale=en

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Nusrat, Alman. Melody and Soul, Reconciling Classical Islamic Perspectives On Samāʿ and Its Contemporary Engagement. https://ctschicago.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/1ef5c490-552a-4704-a0a2-d6e9d7a9df04?locale=en.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

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Nusrat, Alman

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Abstract

The permissibility of Samāʿ, or spiritual audition, often associated with expressions of musical instrumentation and singing, has been heavily debated throughout Islamic history. This paper explores how the Islamic tradition, particularly through the perspectives of Imam Al-Ghazālī and Ibn ʿArabī, conceptualizes Samāʿ and musical expression as a spiritual practice. By examining these perspectives, the paper aims to inform contemporary engagements with musical expression. This thesis argues that discussions related to Samāʿ and musical engagement, as expressed by Al-Ghazālī and Ibn ʿArabī, transcend the historical tension between legality and spirituality and thus offer a transformative framework for understanding the role of music and imagination in Islamic spirituality and creative agency in the modern context. This work bridges classical interpretations of Samāʿ with modern expressions of faith-inspired music to demonstrate the relevance of music as a medium for spiritual transformation, societal change, and communication of theology and/or spiritual concepts. It highlights how classical scholarship on Samāʿ empowers Muslims to engage with music in ways that cultivate Islamic spirituality. This is explored through discussions on intentionality in the Islamic spiritual tradition and examples of Samāʿ in genres such as Qawwālī and Hip Hop. By analyzing contemporary engagement with Samāʿ, the paper offers practical insights to help modern Muslims nurture and elevate their spirituality through music.

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