Ruling on working in an Islamic nasheed group
Question

                I have been offered a job in an Islamic nasheed group (performing at weddings and so on). What should I do? I am desperately in need of work.
Praise be to Allah.It is permissible to work 
    in an Islamic nasheed group, if the work is free of anything that is 
    contrary to sharee’ah and adheres to the following guidelines: 
-1-
The anaasheed should be 
    performed in front of men only; it is not permissible to perform in the 
    presence of women, because of the prohibition on mixing, and because of the 
    evil and corruption to which that may lead. 
-2-
The songs should contain 
    permissible words only, free from any shameless or licentious content. 
-3-
The anaasheed should not be 
    accompanied by any musical instruments or tablah drums or daffs, because of 
    the prohibition on using musical instruments and the prohibition on using 
    the daff for men, according to the more correct opinion. See question no. 
    5000,
    5011,
    20406 and
    9290. 
-4-
The anaasheed should not be 
    accompanied by any sound effects that resemble musical instruments, whether 
    they are done on the computer or otherwise. 
Shaykh al-Albaani (may 
    Allaah have mercy on him) said: 
There may be another sin 
    involved in that [i.e., nasheeds], which is that they may be performed in 
    the manner of immoral songs and performed according to the rules of eastern 
    or western music which makes the listeners enjoy it and makes them dance and 
    behave in a foolish manner. So the aim becomes the tune and the enjoyment 
    thereof, and not nasheed per se. This is a new error, and it is an imitation 
    of the kuffaar and immoral people. That may lead to a further error, which 
    is imitating them in turning away from the Qur’aan and forsaking it, and 
    being included in the general meaning of the complaint of the Prophet (peace 
    and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as Allaah says (interpretation of the 
    meaning): “And the Messenger (Muhammad صلى 
    الله عليه وسلم) will say: ‘O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this 
    Qur’aan (neither listened to it nor acted on its laws and teachings)’” 
    [al-Furqaan 25:30]. End quote from Tahreem Alaat al-Tarb (p. 
    181).   
It is well known that Islam 
    forbids listening to musical instruments because of the effect that musical 
    instruments have on the heart, which may be affected by hypocrisy and 
    forsaking the word of Allaah, so that it finds no pleasure except in these 
    songs. It is well known that some of these sound effects have a worse effect 
    than musical instruments, and their effect on the listener, even if it is no 
    greater than the effect of musical instruments, is no less either. It is 
    impossible that Islam would forbid anything because of its corrupting 
    effects then permit something that is similar to it or worse than it. 
If the sound effects have a 
    sound that is similar to that of musical instruments, then the ruling on 
    them is the same as the ruling on musical instruments, i.e., they are 
    haraam. 
-5-
Pictures of the munshids 
    (“singers”) should not be put on the covers of their tapes, in an imitation 
    of the evildoing of pop singers. 
See the answer to question 
    no. 91142. 
If the work of this group 
    is free of these haraam issues, then there is nothing wrong with you working 
    with them. 
You should remember that 
    there are many ways of earning provision, but the matter needs effort and 
    hard work. Seek the help of Allaah and do not feel helpless, and do not let 
    the desire to hasten provision make you seek it by disobeying Allaah. The 
    Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Holy 
    Spirit (Jibreel) has inspired to me that no soul will die until it has 
    completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear 
    Allaah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you 
    should be temped to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow 
    in coming to him, for that which is with Allaah can only be attained by 
    obeying Him.” Narrated by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah from the hadeeth of 
    Abu Umaamah; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 
    2085.  
We ask Allaah to make 
    things easy for you and to bless you with good provision. 
And Allaah knows best.