Attending Gyms That Play Music - Jurisprudential Answers - Miscellaneous Issues, Vol 4

Ahmed al-Hasan Response:

Listening deliberately to songs is forbidden and is among the lesser sins. Religious law forbids such things because they may draw a person toward major sins-God forbid-which are the prohibited acts for which a person is held accountable. Deliberate listening is not the same as merely hearing. Listening means intentionally directing one's hearing and attention to it, whereas hearing is what occurs without intention-for example, being in a public place such as an airport, restaurant or gym where songs are playing while you do not pay attention to them. Mere hearing is not forbidden because it is without intention, purpose or attentive listening.