It is haraam to play music or listen to it, whether it is with or without singing, but with singing it is worse and more corrupting to sound human nature and morals. What is said about some scholars having excelled in it, that is true, but they are of the type of al-Faraabi, who had no deep knowledge of Islamic religion and were not examples for the Muslims to follow and their actions do not carry any weight. They are not among the leaders of the Muslims in knowledge, ‘aqeedah or good deeds, such as the Rightly-Guided Caliphs (may Allaah be pleased with them) and the imams of the righteous salaf such as Sa’eed ibn Jubayr, al-Hasan al-Basri, al-Shaafa’i, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, al-Awzaa’i and others like them who had Islamic knowledge and acted upon it. They are examples for those who came after them (may Allaah have mercy on them). 

As for using music to treat patients, it is not permissible, and the Muslim has no need for that because he has other things such as Islamic nasheeds and recitation of Qur’aan in a beautiful voice, and other things that calm the nerves and bring joy to the heart, and increase the Muslim’s faith in Allaah and belief in the divine will and decree (al-qada’ wa’l-qadar). 

And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas