AsalamuAlaikum,
1. From the Qur'an and the Sunnah yes Musical Instruments are haram.
Allah says in Luqmaan 31:6:
“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah…†[Muhsin Khan]
"And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment." [Saheeh International]
Many Sahaba (Companions of the Prophet (SAW)) and Taabi’in said that this refers to Musical instruments or Music.
For example Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
this means singing. Mujaahid (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: this means
playing the drum (tabl). (Tafseer al-Tabari, 21/40).
Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: this aayah was revealed concerning
singing and musical instruments (lit. woodwind instruments). (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/451).
Ibn Mas`ud said "This -- by Allah --
refers to singing.'' (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)
In the footnotes of the Qur'an by Saheeh International it reads:
(Amusement of Speach) i.e. that which has no benefit. Described by different Sahahah as Shirk, Misleading Stories, Frivolous songs or
Music but Includes all which distracts or diverts one from the Qur'an and Remembrance of Allah.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The interpretation of the Sahaabah and Taabi’in, that ‘idle talk’ refers to singing, is sufficient. This was reported with saheeh isnaads from Ibn ‘Abbaas and Ibn Mas’ood. Abu’l-Sahbaa’ said: I asked Ibn Mas’ood about the aayah (interpretation of the meaning), ‘“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks’ [Luqmaan 31:6]. He said: By Allaah, besides Whom there is no other god,
this means singing – and he repeated it three times. It was also reported with a saheeh isnaad from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) that
this means singing.
So this Ayat refers to Singing and Music as was understood by the Sahaba and those who followed them.
Allaah says:
“Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur’aan)?
And you laugh at it and weep not,
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing)â€
[al-Najm 53:59-61]
‘Ikrimah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that al-sumood [verbal noun from saamidoon, translated here as “Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing)â€] means “
singingâ€
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning) “Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing)†– Sufyaan al-Thawri said, narrating from his father from Ibn ‘Abbaas: (this means) singing. This is Yemeni (dialect): ismad lana means ghan lana [sing to us]. This was also the view of ‘Ikrimah. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zinaa, silk, alcohol and
musical instruments…†(Narrated by al-Bukhaari no. 5590; narrated as mawsool by al-Tabaraani and al-Bayhaqi. See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 91).
It was narrated from Abu Malik Ash’ari that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said:
“People among my nation will drink wine, calling it by another name, and
musical instruments will be played for them and singing girls (will sing for them). Allah will cause the earth to swallow them up, and will turn them into monkeys and pigs.†( Sunan Ibn Majah Book 36, Hadith 4156 Grade: Hasan)
It was narrated that Naafi’ (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Ibn ‘Umar heard a woodwind instrument, and he put his fingers in his ears and kept away from that path. He said to me, O Naafi’, can you hear anything? I said, No. So he took his fingers away from his ears and said: I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he heard something like this, and he did the same thing. (Saheeh Abi Dawood)
It was narrated that Al-Awza'i said:
"Umar bin 'Abdul-'Aziz wrote a letter to 'Umar bin Al-Walid in which he said: 'The share that your father gave to you was the entire Khumus, but the share that your father is entitled to is the same as that of any man among the Muslims, on which is due the rights of Allah and His Messenger, and of relatives, orphans, the poor and wayfarers. How many will dispute with your father on the Day of Resurrection! How can he be saved who has so many disputants?
And your openly allowing musical instruments and wind instruments is an innovation in Islam. I was thinking of sending someone to you who would cut off your evil long hair."' (Sunan an-Nasa'i 4135 Graded Sahih)
However there is an exception.
The exception to the above is the daff – without any rings (i.e., a hand-drum which looks like a tambourine, but without any rattles) – when used by women on Eids and at weddings. This is indicated by authentic reports.
So in Summary due to the Verses of the Qur'an, statements of the Prophet SAW, Statements and Actions of the Sahaba and the Taabi’in Music is Haram.
Further reading :
http://islamqa.info/en/ref/5000/musicThe most clear cut evidence is the following hadith.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zinaa, silk, alcohol and musical instruments…†(Narrated by al-Bukhaari no. 5590; narrated as mawsool by al-Tabaraani and al-Bayhaqi. See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 91).4. Yes tangible images and drawings are haram.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that the one who makes images – by drawing or engraving –will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and these images whose makers are given this warning are images of animate beings, based on what its says in the hadeeth, that Allaah will say: “Give life to that which you have crated.â€
It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Those who make images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them: ‘Bring to life that which you have created.’†Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5607) and Muslim (2108).
It seems that images with incomplete features and those which do not have a nose or eyes are not included in the images that are haraam, and their makers are not included in the warning, because they cannot really be called images and these pictures are not competing with the creation of Allaah.
It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Among the people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection will be those who imitate the creation of Allaah.â€
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5610) and Muslim (2107).
Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Those who will be most severely punished by Allaah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath, 10/382).
Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah, may He be exalted, says: 'Who does more wrong than the one who tries to create something like My creation? Let him create a grain of wheat or a kernel of corn.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see Fath al-Baari, 10/385).
'Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "Shall I not send you on the same mission as the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent me? Do not leave any built-up tomb without levelling it, and do not leave any picture in any house without erasing it." (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa'i; this is the version narrated by al-Nisaa'i).
Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Every image-maker will be in the Fire, and for every image that he made a soul will be created for him, which will be punished in the Fire." Ibn 'Abbaas said: "If you must do that, make pictures of trees and other inanimate objects." (Reported by Muslim, 3/1871)
It was narrated that 'Abdullah said:
"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Among the people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers.'" (Sahih)
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ، ح وَأَنْبَأَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّبَّاحِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ زَكَرِيَّا، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حُصَيْنُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ صُبَيْحٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ مِنْ أَشَدِّ النَّاسِ عَذَابًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الْمُصَوِّرُونَ " . وَقَالَ أَحْمَدُ " الْمُصَوِّرِينَ " .
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5364 Grade Sahih
It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah () said:
"The image-makers will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be told: 'Give life to that which you have created.' " (Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ الصُّوَرِ يُعَذَّبُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ أَحْيُوا مَا خَلَقْتُمْ " .
English reference : Vol. 3, Book 12, Hadith 2151
Arabic reference : Book 12, Hadith 2234 Grade Sahih
t was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that:
The Prophet [SAW] said: "The makers of these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them: 'Breathe life into that which you have created.'" (Sahih)
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ هَذِهِ الصُّوَرِ الَّذِينَ يَصْنَعُونَهَا يُعَذَّبُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ أَحْيُوا مَا خَلَقْتُمْ " .
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5361 Grade Sahih
It was narrated from 'Aishah, the wife of the Prophet [SAW], that:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "The makers of these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them: 'Bring to life that which you have created.'" (Sahih)
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ هَذِهِ الصُّوَرِ يُعَذَّبُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ أَحْيُوا مَا خَلَقْتُمْ " .
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5362 Grade Sahih
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:
"Some of the Fire (in the shape of a long neck) will come out of the Fire on the Day of judgment. It will have two eyes which can see, two ears which can hear, and a tongue which can speak. It will say: 'I have been left in charge of three: Every obstinate oppressor, everyone who called upon a deity besides Allah, and the image makers." (Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاوِيَةَ الْجُمَحِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَخْرُجُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّارِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَهُ عَيْنَانِ تُبْصِرَانِ وَأُذُنَانِ تَسْمَعَانِ وَلِسَانٌ يَنْطِقُ يَقُولُ إِنِّي وُكِّلْتُ بِثَلاَثَةٍ بِكُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ وَبِكُلِّ مَنْ دَعَا مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ وَبِالْمُصَوِّرِينَ " . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَقَدْ رَوَاهُ بَعْضُهُمْ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ عَنْ عَطِيَّةَ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَ هَذَا وَرَوَى أَشْعَثُ بْنُ سَوَّارٍ عَنْ عَطِيَّةَ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ .
English reference : Vol. 4, Book 13, Hadith 2574
Arabic reference : Book 39, Hadith 2775 Grade Hasan
These ahaadeeth indicate that pictures of animate beings are haraam, whether they are humans or other creatures, whether they are three-dimensional or two-dimensional, whether they are printed, drawn, etched, engraved, carved, cast in moulds, etc. These ahaadeeth include all of these types of pictures.
More Reading :
http://www.islamqa.com/en/search?key=picture&t=453