One of my doubts about Sufism is music (Sama). Although I listen to Kafis  (poems of Wali's) and like them very much. I find them very inspiring. They all are full of Ishq of Allah. I daily listen to Kafi of Baba Farid. But the following Sahih Bukhari Hadith: Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v: Narrated Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari: that he heard the Prophet saying, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to  us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection."  has created many doubts in my mind.

Answer

Here is an article on Sama on our website that you might find informative. That particular speech was based on a chapter derived
from the book: "Keemiay sa'dat" by Imam al Ghazzali. It is the best reading material on the subject.

Click here for another article on Sama on our website.

With regards to the reference on music in the text of the Hadith Sharif you have quoted, it is my understanding that this
particular Hadith refers to the kind of music which is forbidden and not to all kinds of music or musical instruments. This type of music would be the kind used for improper, unlawful purposes such as inciting undesirable and unlawful passions of any kind (e.g. particularly passions of love for a woman or person who is not married to the listener). You will note that the Hadith which you quoted, refers to four things. The first three of them, namely:

(i) illegal sexual intercourse,
(ii) the wearing of silk and
(ii) the drinking of alcoholic beverages,
are all forbidden things. Whereas these same acts can be done lawfully,  i.e.
(i) legal sexual intercourse between married spouses,
(ii) wearing of silk by women, and
(iii) drinking of alcoholic beverages where not only does it become lawful but it becomes obligatory. For example in the situation where a person could die instantly if an alcoholic drink were not given to him immediately, (i.e. say if a Muslim was choking on something and alcohol was the only liquid available to use for first aid) because no other lawful drink was available, then the alcoholic drink becomes lawful, permissible and even necessary in order to save that person's life. The Shari'ah expressly requires that a person's life must be saved by all means available, regardless of the means being lawful or unlawful in normal circumstances.
Having brought this to your attention, now let me point out to you that the fourth item mentioned in the Hadith (the use of musical instruments) is not an unlawful act, whereas, all the other examples were unlawful acts. Therefore, in the context of what is being said in this Hadith, it would make sense only if we read the words "the use of musical instruments" to mean "the unlawful use of musical instruments." This would be consistent with the spirit and the intent of the Hadith.

It is also very essential to always bear in mind two very fundamental doctrines of law every time one tries to determine lawfulness or unlawfulness of an act, deed or thing:

(i) Intention i.e., the purpose for which that act, deed or thing is to be done. The Prophet, p.b.u.h. has laid down the fundamental law that "all deeds (actions) are determined by their intention (i.e. the purpose).
(ii) Rule of Ibaha.  According to the Qur'an and the Prophet, p.b.u.h. our law says that everything on this earth is lawful (permissible, Mubah). That is, it is optional UNLESS it is clearly forbidden (i.e. made or declared haram.) Therefore one could describe Mubah as "neutral" which means that such a thing is neither obligatory nor forbidden  Therefore music, like so many other things, is made  mubah for the enjoyment of mankind.

To re-iterate this point, we can therefore say that everything which Allah ta'ala has created is made for the enjoyment of mankind, and for that purpose everything is subjugated (brought under man's control) for his use. This is as Allah ta'ala Himself has instructed us in the Qur'an al Karim. In other words, this is the rule of ibaha, which means that everything is mubah (neutral, permissible) unless expressly and specifically forbidden by law. So to say that the Hadith Sharif makes good permissible (mubah) music forbidden (haram) does not make any sense at all.

Even though this Hadith "appears" to be referring to all musical instruments as unlawful, in reality it is only referring to those that are unlawful (i.e. used in conjunction with wrongful intentions). [1]  Music and musical instruments become unlawful when their use is for unlawful purposes. It would be absurd to conclude otherwise. That would be like arriving at the erroneous conclusion that this Hadith is referring to Mubah (lawful) music as haram. If that were the case, then one could even go so far as to conclude that Salat or Sawm (fasting) or even Zakat are all haram too! After all, it is common knowledge that when Salat is performed without the sincerity of intention, for the worship and the love of Allah, and is performed in a lethargic fashion (i.e. in a neglectful manner) or for show (ostentation),  it is haram! [Qur'an 107:4-6] The Prophet s.a.w.s. himself clearly stated in a Hadith that people can get no benefit from fasting and that not only would it be a waste of time, but that it would become haram if they did not abstain from backbiting or telling lies and committing other such forbidden actions during the course of their fasting, and that they would gain nothing thereby except hunger and thirst! [2]  It is the same with regard to Zakat. If one spends a great deal of money for example, (i.e. like a  non-religious philanthropist) without the intention of doing so in the name of, and for the sake of, the love of Allah, then they will not get one iota of spiritual recompense (thawab) for this generosity. However, if it is spent in compliance with the law and the rules and regulations relating to Zakat, and with the intention of fulfilling that religious obligation, then Insha Allah they would be rewarded for it by Allah ta'ala.

So it is that any good thing that is halal, permissible (mubah), becomes unlawful, forbidden (haram) if done for an evil,
unlawful purpose (or purposes.)

Please see these two other letters for similar reasoning #1#2
 


Sura Al-Ma'im (107) [Yusuf Ali translation]

4. So woe to the worshippers
5. Who are neglectful of their Prayers 6283
6. Those who (want but) to be seen (of men) 6284

Footnote  6283: True worship does not consist in the mere form of prayer, without the heart and mind being earnestly applied to seek the realization of the presence of Allah, and to understand and do His holy Will.
Footnote 6284: Cf. iv. 142: "When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance."

[1] One should consult the Jurists as well as Muhaddithin, (ie. experts on Hadith) on this. They have studied deeply all the Hadith literature and many of them have come up with these same conclusions. If my memory serves me correctly, I think all the Muhaddithin are unanimous in their opinion that music per se is permissible although the fuqaha (jurists) do differ in their rulings.

[2] Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:  "Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast save hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness." This is related by an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim. The latter said that it is sahih  according to al Bukhari's criterion.