Music in Islamic Spiritual Care: A Review of Classical Sources

NAZILA ISGANDAROVA
Emmanuel College of Victoria University
[email protected]

ABSTRACT
The primary goal of this paper is to describe spiritual and religious considerations of music in Islamic
spiritual care for enhancing spiritual care to Muslims. In medieval times in the Muslim world, music
played an important role in healthcare practices. For example music was used not only to enhance
spirituality of patients but also to improve their health. Many Muslim scholars and musicians used
musical theory and techniques as a way of connecting patients with the Divine, inspiring hope and
finding meaning in their crisis, suffering and illness. Therefore music can be used in spiritual care for
Muslims as a tool to connect patients with spiritual sources of strength.
Keywords
Islam, music, Islamic spiritual care

Introduction
For many Muslim patients, spirituality is closely interconnected with music. Nevertheless, limited
work has been done that engages the use of music in Islamic spiritual care. Despite the importance of
music in patient care and in our daily life in general, the lack of attention to music in Islamic spiritual
care could be explained by some theological arguments that support the idea that Islam prohibits
music. Such arguments are especially based on conservative interpretations of Quranic chapters (Q
16:52962; Q 31:6). Using the hadith literature, especially weak (da'eef) or forged (mawdoo') hadith,
written almost 200 years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslim scholars Abu Bakr
Ahmad ibn Husayn Ibn Ali Ibn Moussa al-Khosrojerdi al-Bayhaqi (9941066), Imam Hafiz Abul
Qasim Ali ibn Hasan ibn Asakir (11051175), Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (12921350), and others
defined music as idle amusement (lahw). These radical positions influenced modern examination of
the use of music in Islamic spiritual care. Therefore, there is a significant gap in Islamic spiritual care
literature, which reveals a need for significant attention to the use of music in Islamic spiritual care.
Nevertheless, while there is little research in the field of music and spirituality in the Islamic

context, there are a number of books, articles and reflections, specifically devoted to medieval
classical Islamic studies on music and also in the area of Sufi (mystical branch of Islam) music (see,
for example, Farmer 1965; Malm 1977; Shiloah 1979 and 2003; Khan 1996). Although some of these
articles lack a description of the therapeutic process of music in Islamic spiritual care, they are still
useful because they reveal the importance of music in the health of the human soul. Among these
books are: Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Isaq a-abb al-Kindis (801873 CE) Risala fi hubr talif alalhan of Kitab ia al-ulum, Abi Nar Muammad ibn Muammad ibn arkhan Farabis (870-950
CE) Kitab al-iqaat, Kitab ia al-iqaat (on rhythms), and Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir, Abu Ali al-usayn
ibn Abd Allah ibn Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Sinas (9801037) Javamiu Ilmi al-Musiqa in Kitab al-Shifa;
Muhtasar fi Ilm al-Misuiqa in Kitab al-Nejat, Safiyaddin 'Abdalmu'miin b. Yusuf b. Fahir al-Urmawis
(12251294) Risalat al-sharafiyya and Kitab al-Adwar, Abdlaziz bin Maraghis (1360?-1425) Nakavat
al-advar, Hasan uuris 'Tadil-i Emzije', Ali Ufki (16101675?)s Mecmua-i Saz- Sz, Seydis (the 15th
century Turkish musician) Al-Matla or the Book of Music, etc. In his Kitab al-Adwar, al-Urmawi defined
music as a noble science ('ilm-i sherif), which was deduced from philosophy ('ilm-i hikmet), astronomy
('ilm-i hey'et), astrology ('ilm-i nucum), medical science ('ilm-i tibb), and geometry (ilm-i hendese) (Seydi
2004, 29).
Taking into consideration the importance attached to music in medieval Islamic classical
works and the extensive analysis of the importance of music in the care of the soul, it is important to
pay significant attention to the therapeutic use of music in Islamic spiritual care. It is my hope that
this article will address some of the gaps in the literature. As the field of Islamic spiritual care in a
health care setting is evolving in the world, Muslim spiritual caregivers seek various ways and
methods to enrich their practice. Such attempts spark curiosity about the role of music in Islamic
spiritual care. Therefore, this paper indicates the importance of considering music as a tool in Islamic
spiritual care. This paper (a) highlights the history of music and spirituality in Islam; (b) describes
how classical beliefs and practices on music influence the practice of music therapy with Muslims.
After briefly introducing the basic concepts of Islamic spiritual care, I present the foundations of

music therapy in early classical Islamic sources, especially in al-Kindi, Farabi, Abu Bakr Razi, ibn Sina,
and Seydi. Finally, I emphasize the implications for clinical practice with a variety of Muslims patients
in Islamic spiritual care.
A Brief Historical Overview of Music in Islam
The extensive work on music in the medieval Islamic era demonstrates that a rigid and radical stance
against music could not prevent advancements in many areas. We are especially indebted to the
efforts of Ikhwan- Safa, al-Kindi, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi or Rhazes (864925),
Farabi, ibn Sina, al-Urmawi, Maraghi, Yusuf b. Nizameddin b. Yusuf al-Rumi al-Mawlawi and others.
Since the 9th century, these authors contributed to our understanding of music, examining it from the
perspective of philosophy. Ikhwan al-Safa, for example, emphasized that the art of music must be
analyzed within the universal understanding of morality.
We also need to note here that in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, music was
especially developed in some parts of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Anatolia (Taqi Binis 1992). It is no wonder
that some of the aforementioned Muslim scholars and philosophers, who engaged music in their
works were either from Azerbaijan or from Ottoman Turkey. Most of these great Muslim musician
scholars were related to famous Sufi chambers and attempted to develop spiritual music for the soul
care. For example, Nayi Ali Mustafa Kevseri Efendi (d. 1770), who was known as Mustafa Efendi,
was a Mevlevi Dervish. He was also known for his attempts to renew Turkish Music theory in his
Mecmua-i Kevseri (Journal of Kevseri), also known as Kitab- Musikar (Popescu-Judetz 1998). Another
Muslim musician of Turkish origin, Nasr Abdlbaki Dede (17651821), was a dervish (an ascetic)
from the Istanbul Yenikap Mevlevihane (Sufi chamber of Istanbul Yenikapi). He also developed his
notation system, called Tahririyye-Tahrir-i Fi'l-Musiki. Al-Urmawi, al-Maraghi, Muhammad b.
'Abdalhamid al-Ladiqi (d. 1485), Jalal al-Din Rumi, and many others even established their own
schools of music. For example, Rumi developed sema music and dance, which later became known as
spiritual music of the Mevlevi (Mawlawiyah) Sufi sect. In some parts of the Muslim world, these
devotional songs of Sufi music are called marfat (in Bangladesh), muwashshah (in medieval Muslim

Spain), nashid (in Arabic), or ilahi (in Turkey). Some of this devotional music was composed for a
specific purpose, for example to accompany qasidas (poems) praising Prophet Muhammad or to
commemorate the tragic events in Kerbala on October 10, 680, when the Prophet's grandson
Hussain was martyred. These songs are known as jari in Bangladesh and marsiya in Iran and
Azerbaijan.
This brief introduction to the history of music in the Islamic world shows that many
Muslim scholars and musicians developed their theories and practice under the influence of religious
Sufi rites, which could also be heavily felt in the future direction of Islamic music, such as the
Turkish music Perev (overture) and Saz semaisi (a kind of instrumental music) (Alaner 2000; Terziolu
1972, 24; Grebene 1978, 25; Yiitba 1972, 34; Ak 1997; Gven 1993 and Gven 1985). In addition, these

scholars studied the effects of music extensively, particularly 400 melodies (maqams), on human
emotions and organs; furthermore they laid the foundations of music as a therapeutic tool, examined
the relationship between language, sounds and music, and classified voice types and their impact on
human health. It is also known that some of these scholars (such as Farabi and al-Urmawi) made
experimental observations to describe how music affects the audience. According to Nilgn
Dogrusz (n.d.) from Istanbul Technical University, upon the threat to prohibit music in all spheres
of life, with the permission of the caliph, al-Urmawi made an experimental research of the
effectiveness of music on the camel, which was thirsty for forty days. In a public demonstration in
Baghdad, the camel was untied and was presented water and Nevbet-i mretteb in the maqam of Zirgule.
It is reported that as soon as al-Urmawi started singing, the thirsty camel listened to al-Urmawis
performance with tears in his eyes, rather than moving towards the water. In order to prove the
reliability and validity of the research, al-Urmawi performed the test three times consequently; each
time, the result of the study was the same. Thus, al-Urmawi could prove that music is a natural aspect
of life and should not be prohibited. Such scientific tests on music had never been attempted before.
Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Isaq a-abba al-Kindi
Al-Kindi, who was famous for his title the philosopher of the Arabs, was a great philosopher,

astrologer, alchemist, optician and music theorist. He attempted to integrate the views of Plato and
Aristotle, and regarded Neo-Pythagorean mathematics as the basis of all science. Unfortunately, not
all of his books remain for us. According to Amnon Shiloah, al-Kindi wrote two hundred and sixtyfive works; however, most of them have been lost (Shiloah 2001). Nevertheless, it is generally agreed
that al-Kindi developed geometrical and physiological optics, based on the Optics of Euclid,
influenced Roger Bacons (c. 12141292) De aspectibus via Gerard of Cremona (d. 1187) (Shiloah
2001). Al-Kindi wrote almost ten books regarding music: Kitab al-Azam fi al-Talif; Risalah fi isabi alZamaniyya; Risalah fi Sinaati al-Akvali al-Adediyyah; Muhtasar al-Musiqa fi Telif al-Nagham wa Sanat al-Ud;
Risalah fi alMadkhal ila Sinat al-Musiqa; Risala fi Qismat al-Qanun; Risalah fi Hubr Sinaar al-Telif; Kitab alMusawwitat al-Watariyya min Zat al-Watar al-Vahid ila Zat al-Ashrat al-Autar; Risala fi al-Luhun wa alMagham; and Risalah fi Ejza Hubriyya fi al-Musiqa. Although six of these books are lost, four of them
are still available (Turabi 1996, 38).
In his three or four works on music theory, especially in his Risala fi hubr talif al-alhan (On
the Composition of Melodies), al-Kindi explored Greek music theories and developed the Arabic
music theory. For him, rhythm (iqa) was a constituent part of Arabic music. In addition, al-Kindi was
the first musician to provide a mathematical description of a twelve-tone chromatic scale, which was
the first tuning, identified the tones of the lower and upper octave, and the musical qualities of
tones (Turabi 1996). Based on Greek music theories and the Ebjed alphabet, in which the letters
have numerical values, al-Kindi also developed his Ebjed Musical Notation system. It is narrated
that al-Kindi used music to help patients who were going to die, to say their last will before death.
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (or Rhazes) is one of the greatest physicians in the
Islamic world and of all time. He was described as generous and gracious in his dealings with others,
and most compassionate towards the poor, whom he treated free of charge and even maintained out
of his own purse (al-Razi 1950, 7). Al-Razi was well trained in the works of Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus,
Hippocrates, Galen, Euclid, Orbasius, Paul of Aegina, and many other Greek philosophers,

mathematicians and physicians. He was also the director of Baghdads great hospital, which was
named after the Buyid ruler Adud al-Daula (d. 983). Arberry argues that this hospital in Baghdad was
completed after al-Razis death, in 978 (Al-Razi1950). Nevertheless, during al-Razis life time,
Baghdad was already known for its fully equipped hospitals, well-stocked libraries, and a sound
tradition of teaching and research (al-Razi 1950, 2).
Al-Razi was especially known for his books on medicine, including the Kitab al-Mansuri
(Liber Almansoris), the Kitab al-Muluki (Liber Regius), and the Hawi, an encyclopedia, known as
the Continents in Latin (al-Razi 1950, 3). Like many philosophers and physicians of his time, al-Razi
also wrote about the effects of music on human health.
Nevertheless, al-Razi had different views about playing musical instruments. Although he
used to play the lute in his youth, later on he did not recommend playing musical instruments and
argued that this activity is for youth (al-Razi 1950). However, his recommendation not to play a
musical instrument in adulthood is controversial and we cannot say that he was under the
conservative interpretations of music in Islam. As a freethinker and great philosopher, al-Razi was
against the rigid interpretations of the Islamic tradition. In addition, he had a firm belief that music
should be used for psychological distress. In his Kitab al-Mansuri for example, al-Razi prescribed
music (listening to songs) to Amir Mansur b. Nuh b. Nasr, who was suffering from a chronic ailment,
sadness and grief. He argued that music, like other recreational activities such as fishing, hunting,
playing games, talking to people loved by the patient have therapeutic effects. This fact shows that
for al-Razi, music could be used in the psychological treatment of mentally ill patients. Al-Razis
controversial attitude to playing musical instruments can be explained with his general dislike of
excessiveness of any activity. For example, al-Razi also advocated against any recreational activities
and spiritual practices that posed pain and danger to life; for example, blood sport except when
practiced against carnivorous beats such as lions, tigers and wolves (al-Razi 1950, 13).
Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Muhammad Farabi

Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Muhammad Farabi is known as Alpharabius in the Western world and
ustad- Sani, Hce-i Sani, Muallim-i Sani (the first teacher is Aristotle) in the Muslim world. As a great
Muslim philosopher, physician, psychologist, and mathematician, Farabi produced approximately one
hundred and sixty works: eight of these books explored music, the power of letters and sounds. In
these books, he also provided a detailed description of musical instruments, such as the lute (ud),
pandore (onbur), flute or reed pipe (mezmar), oboe (sornay), rebec (rababa), lyre (mezafa) and harp
(anj), and their performance (Farmer 1965, 27-28; Sawa 1989, 8-20; Shiloah 1979, 104-107). Farabi can
also be called a music historian because his works are reliable sources about early Islamic musical
practices in Mecca, Medina, and Damascus, and also music practices during the Omayyads and the
early Abbasid era (Sawa 1989, 14-17). However, only four of these books have survived: Kitab ia alulum, Kitab al-iqaat, Kitab ia al-iqaat (on rhythms), and Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir (The Great Book
of Music), which is one of the most influential books on music (Sawa 1983-84, 32).
He wrote his Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir at the request of Abu Jafar Muammad b. al-Qasem
Karki, the vizier of the caliph al-Razi (d. 329/940), who asked Farabi to write a book about the
science of music according to the ancient Greek theorists. In this book Farabi explored the Greek
works and found serious weaknesses in Greek theories about music. However, he also included the
fact that these weaknesses presented in the books may also be due to the poor quality of the
translation (Sawa 1989, 14). Besides the Greek works on music, Farabi also explored Islamic sources,
particularly Khalil b. Ahmed, al-Kindis and Isaq Maweli (d. 235/850), a famous singer, lutist,
composer and theorist of his time. Farabi argued that their works contained serious shortcomings
with regard to music theory and techniques. For example, according to Farabi, al-Kindi failed to have
a critical approach to Greek music theory and analyzed how the terms, concepts and paradigms of
arithmetic, Euclidean geometry, Aristotelian logic, architecture and textile, civil and mechanical
engineering, politics, Arabic grammar, phonology, prosody, poetics, rhetoric, and Quranic sciences
influenced music theory. Also, Ishaq Mawseli could not produce well-established music theory and
technique because he did not have the philosophical training which could equip him with the proper

methodologies and logical approach in his works. Therefore, in his Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir, Farabi
developed the theory of music, and was selective with regard to his approach to the Greek works on
music: he selected Greek works that were relevant to Middle Eastern art and culture. On his
contribution to music, Seyyed Hossein Nasir and Mehdi Aminrazavi state:
he (Farabi) was a master of music theory; his Kitab al-Musiqa al-Kabir (The Book on Great
Music), known in the West as a book on Arabic music, is in reality a study of the theory of
Persian music of his day as well as presenting certain great philosophical principle about
music, its cosmic qualities, and its influence on the soul (Nasr and Aminrazavi 2007, 135).
In addition to exploring music as a science, Farabi also explored music as one of the branches of
practical knowledge and its effect on the soul (for him, logic, metaphysics, etc., are the theoretical
sciences; whereas, music, politics, mathematics, moral sciences are the practical ones).

As a musician Farabi could make his audience laugh, cry, and sleep against their will. Farabi
did not support the theory of this time that argued for the connection between musical sounds and
numbers or celestial/zodiacal signs. This perspective was widely present in the works of Ikhwan alSafa and al-Kindi (Turabi 2004, iii). Farabi also explored the effects of the Adhan and prescribed
the following maqams after five daily prayers because of their impact on human emotions: Rehavi and
Hseyni after the morning prayer; Rast after the sun rise, Zengule in the middle of the afternoon, Neva
after the evening prayer, Buzurg after the late night prayer, and Zirefkand before going to bed. For him,
Rast gives happiness and calmness (sefa, nese, huzur); Rehavi the feelings of eternity (beka); Kek - the
feelings of empathy (hassasiyet; duyarllk); Bzrk the feelings of fear and hesitation (khauf, ekinme,
saknma); Isfahanthe motion and the feelings of trust (gven); Neva the feelings of flavor, taste and
freshness (lezze; ferahlk); Ussakthe desire of mirth, laughter (glme; 'dilhek'); Zirgulethe desire to
sleep (uyku; 'nevm'), Sabathe feelings of strength and courage (ecaat; cesaret; kuvvet); Buselikthe
strength; Huseynithe feelings of peace, relaxation (sulh; skunet; rahatlk); and Hicazthe desire of
humbleness (tevazu; alak gnlllk) (Reseptif Mzik Terapi, Trk Musikisini Arastrma ve Tantma Grubu
n.d.).

Farabis works influenced the medieval and contemporary genres of music in the Middle
East: avaz, tasnif (in Persian music), mowaa, mawwal, layali and taqsim (in Arabic music), and perev,

semi, gazel and taksim (in Turkish music). Therefore, after al-Kindi, Farabi is considered the second
great Muslim scholar with his contributions to the field. What makes Farabi especially important is
his contribution to the role of the music as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of diseases. According
to Emraz- Ruhiye-i Nagamat- Musikiye of the physician Gevrekzade Hafz Hasan bin Ahmed, Farabi
used music in his practice of medicine before Hoca Nasreddin Tusi, Hoca Abdulmumin Sofi ve alUrmawi. In this regard, Ibn Sina also followed Farabis lead and called the perspective that defends
the idea of the connection between sounds, numbers and zodiacal signs an old perspective (Ibn Sina
2004, 1).
Ibn Sina
Ibn Sina was under the direct influence of Farabi. However, he also independently developed a
systematic music theory. It is narrated that at the age of 17, Ibn Sina studied all branches of science
and said: Here is the human: where are the other branches of science? However, when he
attempted to practice music, he said: This is the science; where is the human? (Turabi 2004, v;
Shehadi 1993, 68). This is a simple demonstration of the importance Ibn Sina gave to music. Ibn Sinas

analysis of music was independent from his works on philosophy and medicine; however, like alKindi, he analyzed music from a psychological perspective, but also presented music as the third
branch of mathematics (Ibn Sina 2004, 6). It is no wonder that he organized his chapter on music
under the section of mathematics in his Kitab al-Shifa.
Ibn Sinas views on music are mainly explained in his encyclopedic works such as: Javamiu
Ilmi al-Musiqa in Kitab al-Shifa; Muhtasar fi Ilm al-Musiqa in Kitab al-Nejat; the music chapter in Danishname-i Alai. In addition, he also wrote about music in his books such as Risalah fi al-Huruf; Risalah fi
al-Nafs; Risalah fi Bayani Aksam al-Kikmetiyyah wa al-Aqliyya; and al-Qanun fi al-Tibb. According to Ibn-i
Sina, music plays an important role in medicine. He is famous for his saying that Inter omnia
exserciatia sanitatis cantane melius est (singing is the best practice to protect health) (Shehadi 1993, 75). He
wrote that one of the most effective ways of treatment of disease is to increase the rational and
spiritual strength of the patient and develop his sense of courage to overcome the disease. In order to

achieve this goal, he suggested listening to music and arranging visits from individuals the patient
loved and preferred (Avicenna 1956).
For Ibn Sina, the impact of music on human health is strongly related to the effects of
sounds, because sound is inherent in human nature and carries several functions, including delivering
the message of needs (such as a need for protection, sex, and joy) (Ibn Sina 2004, 3). Nevertheless,
what makes music different from animal sounds is that humans attach additional meaning to music
with the words of the song (Turabi 2004, vii). Ibn Sina also argued that the harmony of sounds
attracts and influences the spirit for many reasons.
Seydi
As we have mentioned in the Introduction, many Muslim scholars and musicians used music as a
spiritual tool to achieve perfection of personality or spirituality and achieve enlightenment. One of
these musicians is the medieval Turkish musician Seydi, who said:
Explain the enigmas of the science of modal cycles ('ilm-i edvar), make clear the subtle
details of the melodic modes (makamat).
Out of the place where the musicians (ehl-perde) uncover the secret,
come forth, you too, from that place, begin (aghaz eyle) making music (saz),
so that you will learn the basic forms of the melodic modes (makamatin usulu),
(and) how many ways there are form the starting point to the end.
Those who have come to partake intimately of burning love
should listen to the voice of music
until they drown the blazing fire with their tears,
and capture a moment of tranquility within the state of bewilderment (shuridelik) (Seydi
2004, 5).
Seydi practiced Sufism and recommended that those who want to study music must
"earnestly don the robe of asceticism (riyazet cubbesi)", because "this science ('ilm) (endowed) with
passion (heva'i), ascetics (ehl-i riyazet) discover this beneficence" (Seydi 2004, 5). In this regard he
follows his predecessors, especially al-Urmawi, whom he presents as Shaikh Safiyuddin
'Abdulmu'min, who used music as an aid for ascetic discipline (Seydi 2004, 23). He also describes
how Omar Ibn-i Bahr al-Jahiz, another great Sufi musician, used to listen to music with the ear of his
heart and soul. Seydi explained the relationship between Sufi practice and music by arguing that it is
important to give music its due rights, because it "had emerged from the gateway of love ('ishk

devazesi)" (Seydi 2004, 9).

Seydi also wrote on the therapeutic effect of music on health. He said that people listen to
music in order "to assuage his pain with (this cup) (shusak) of (medicine)" (Seydi 2004, 9). He
mentions that Shaikh Dik Ebu 'n-Nik requested him to teach the science of music to his daughter,
whose name was Dilshad: Shaikh Dik Ebu 'n-Nik believed that music is a medicine and would cure
her.
The therapeutic effect of music is explained with "the different modes, and which mode is
connected to which planet (ildiz), which mode is related to which zodiacal sign (burc), which has the
quality of earth (haki) or water (abi) and which of wind (bazi) or fire (ateshi), which is hot (germ) or
cold (serd), and which dry (hoshk) or moist (ter), so that her life may be improved, and her existence
become sweeter" (Seydi 2004, 15). For Seydi, Farabi and al-Urmawi extensively explained this
therapeutic importance of music. However, as we have mentioned before, Farabi and Ibn Sin refuted
the idea that there is a connection between the zodiacal signs and music even though such opinion
was present in the works of Ikhwan al-Safa and al-Kindi. Nevertheless, the underlying argument is
that the origin of music is divine. For example, Seydi writes: "the Most Exalted and Glorious God
(Hakk-i Subhanehu ve te 'ala), when creating the celestial spheres (felekler), ordered them to circle
around (donmek), and when they rotated the sounds (avazeler) came into being" (Seydi 2004, 21).
Seydi divided the sounds into songs worldly (aghani) and spiritual (ruhani). For him the
origin of music evolved from those spiritual sounds (ruhani avazeler) (Seydi 2004, 23). Therefore, the
human spirit likes music because "the souls (can) have heard these sounds in the world of the spirits
('alam-i ervah)" (Seydi 2004, 25). Seydi also cautioned against the indifferent attitude to music and he
called these people far from any spirituality: "if someone hears beautiful voices (hub-avaz) and the
moving playing of instruments (suz-saz), and is not affected (mute'essir), this indicates that the
spirituality (ruhaniyyet) of that person is not preponderant (galib), but rather that his animal nature
(hayvaniyye) prevails" (Seydi 2004, 25).
The Implications of Classical Studies on Music in Patient Care

In medieval times, a number of Muslim hospitals, such as Adudi Hospital in Baghdad, Mansuri
Hospital in Qahira, Nuri Hopsital in Sham, Gevher Nesibe Hospital and Giyaseddin Keyhusrev
Medical School in Kayseri (1206), Keykavus Hospital in Sivas (1217), Hospital of Turan Melik in
Divrighi (1228), Gok School or Pervane Bey Hospital in Tokat (1275), Atabey Ferruh Hospital in
(1235) ankr, Ali b. Pervane Hospital in Kastamonu (1272) used music therapy in patient care.
According to Evliya Chelebi (1611-1682), since the Seljuk dynasty there had been various health
centers in Anatolian cities such as Edirne, Kayseri, Sivas, Amasiya, Manisa, and Bursa, where music
therapy was used extensively in treatments (elebi 1896/1938). For example, the hospital in the city of
Sham in Syria, built by the Seljuk ruler Nureddin Mahmud Zengi (1118-1174) known as the Just
Ruler (al-amir al-adil), required doctors to apply music therapy in his hospital (Terzioglu 1982).
It was during the Ottoman Empire that music as therapy reached its culmination (Terziolu
1985, 16). Evliya Chelebi mentions that in Edirne, Sultan Bayazid II built the state hospital (darifa

the houses of healing) in 1488, where water sound and music therapy were regular prescriptions in
the treatment of diseases, particularly in the treatment of mental illnesses. On different days of the
week, the music therapy team of the hospital performed for the patients. The doctors, who were also
well trained in the effects of music on human health, observed how different melodies (maqams)
affected the heartbeat or which melody was suitable for various illnesses. It was generally accepted
that the maqam Isfahan benefited patients who suffer from memory problems; the maqam Rehavi was
good in the treatment of anxiety; and the maqam Kuchi was good in the treatment of depressive
thoughts and dysthymia. Chelebi also reports that another famous ruler of the Ottoman Empire,
Bayezid Veli established his own charity hospital and appointed ten musicians, who played in flute
(ney), string musical instruments such as santur, keman, engi, ud, for patients at least three times a week.
Chelebi claimed that patients benefited from various maqams, especially from the maqams Zengule and
Buselik.
All these classical Islamic sources on the effect of music on human health encourage
Islamic spiritual care practitioners to use music as a way to cope with some of the symptoms of

disease and side effects of their treatment. In addition to the aforementioned Islamic music,
contemporary Islamic music by Yusuf Islam, Sami Yusif, Mahir Zain and others can also be used to
help Muslim patients overcome their distress and illness. Nevertheless, we need new research to
support the idea that listening to Islamic music treats anxiety, pain, mood, quality of life, heart rate,
respiratory rate, and blood pressure in patients.
Conclusion
Classical Muslim scholars gave importance to music for its role in the health of the human soul. They
laid the foundation for professional music therapy and explained the rules and ethics of music. Based
on their empirical and philosophical explanation of music, in medieval times many Muslim hospitals
hired professional music therapists to serve as part of patient care teams. Any financial expenses
related to music therapy were covered by charitable organizations or by the state. Based on their
experiences, music is a valuable tool in Islamic spiritual care in order to bring about a significant
improvement in the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical health of patients.

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