Allah, Glorified and Exalted, says in The Quran, “And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allāh without knowledge and who takes it [i.e., His way] in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment” (Quran 31:6). Many scholars have interpreted this verse to be referring to music. Additionally, The Prophet PBUH said, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful” (Bukhari 5590).
When something is haram, or impermissible, in Islam, we as Muslims don’t question God because we know He, Glorified and Exalted, has infinite wisdom and knowledge of all things. Therefore, music is prohibited because God said so. However, if we were to perhaps try and look at some wisdoms behind it, we will find many harms in it. For example, it is very clear from numerous studies that music is a tool that can easily change ones emotions. In fact, studies have shown that music can impact our health long-term by intensifying and increasing depression and anxiety (Embark Behavioral Health). Additionally, music makes a person become or pretend to become a person they are not. How many people came from good households, good families, good education, but through music, they ended up on the streets doing evil acts, such as selling drugs, stealing, becoming gang members, committing crimes and murder, etc. There is a saying that is funny but holds true: if I listen to a song that talks about missing my ex, I will start becoming depressed and start missing my ex even though I never had one before. Moreover, music is the voice of the devil, and he misleads people through music. Music is one of the biggest, if not the biggest form of mass control over the vast majority of people. Is it a coincidence that everyone learns from when they were young that drugs are bad, crimes are bad, killing is bad, cheating is bad, yet, those exact musicians who encourage these acts are being payed millions and millions of dollars? Lastly, music is something that leads to and has lead to so many major sins being done. Imagine how many people committed illegal sexual intercourse because of a track they listened to, or murdered someone, or took drugs, or committed many huge crimes, all because of how the music made them feel like someone who they are not. To conclude, music is prohibited because God said so, however, we can see many harms in it.
And Allah knows best.