Dance

Abstract

Dance, the act of moving the body with specific movements for the purpose of frivolous play (lahw), is considered generally forbidden (haram) by some Shia jurists, while others deem it forbidden only under specific conditions. The topic of dance received little attention in earlier sources, and Ibn Idris, in the 6th century AH (Hijri), was the first Shia jurist to briefly address it in his book al-Sara’ir. Narrations (reports/hadith) regarding dance are also very limited among both Shias and Sunnis.

Among Shia jurists, Hossein Ali Montazeri and Sayyid Ali Sistani consider dance generally forbidden (haram). On the other hand, Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei and Sayyid Ali Khamenei deem it forbidden only if it incites lust (shahwah) or leads to corruption (mafsadah).

Sayyid Ali Khamenei has noted the relative nature of applying the concept of lahw to dance, maintaining that some forms of dance are not considered lahw, just as others are clear instances of it. Furthermore, Mohammad Reza Nekoonam views the derogatory attitude towards dance and dancers in Islamic lands as a result of the dominance of the ‘front of falsehood’ (jabhah-ye batil) in this sphere, and he maintains that dance and similar activities are not intrinsically corrupt (possessing inherent mafsadah).