Listening to music while fasting - does it break your fast?

[Abdul]

I've avoided listening to music because I'm not sure if that breaks your fast. Say I'm working out after Asr and need the music to get me going?

Any experts here?

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I've avoided listening to music because I'm not sure if that breaks your fast. Say I'm working out after Asr and need the music to get me going?

Any experts here?

There are no experts here.

But in general, music is not allowed anyways, so why would it be allowed or disallowed during fasting?

However a lot of Muslims will come in this thread soon and say "Music is allowed".

My opinion.

Better to abstain than to listen. (and that's coming from a guy who used to listen to music in the bathroom while taking showers).

 

[aloo paratha]

I've avoided listening to music because I'm not sure if that breaks your fast. Say I'm working out after Asr and need the music to get me going?

Any experts here?

Not exactly sure whether music is allowed or not but it definitely does not break your fast.

 

[Abdul]

There are no experts here.

But in general, music is not allowed anyways, so why would it be allowed or disallowed during fasting?

However a lot of Muslims will come in this thread soon and say "Music is allowed".

My opinion.

Better to abstain than to listen. (and that's coming from a guy who used to listen to music in the bathroom while taking showers).

Yeah, fair points. I meant to ask if listening to music breaks your fast so have changed the title.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Yeah, fair points. I meant to ask if listening to music breaks your fast so have changed the title.

The things which break fast are clear and never in Hadith I have heard any Hadith saying that "music will break fast" so it will not happen.

 

[uberkoen]

There are no experts here.

But in general, music is not allowed anyways, so why would it be allowed or disallowed during fasting?

However a lot of Muslims will come in this thread soon and say "Music is allowed".

My opinion.

Better to abstain than to listen. (and that's coming from a guy who used to listen to music in the bathroom while taking showers).

Narrated Aisha: Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, "musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah's Apostle !" It happened on the 'Id day and Allah's Apostle said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid." (Sahih Bukhari, Book 15, Hadith 72)

 

[Slog]

Narrated Aisha: Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, "musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah's Apostle !" It happened on the 'Id day and Allah's Apostle said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid." (Sahih Bukhari, Book 15, Hadith 72)

what is your interpretation

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Narrated Aisha: Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, "musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah's Apostle !" It happened on the 'Id day and Allah's Apostle said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid." (Sahih Bukhari, Book 15, Hadith 72)

I won't get into any argument here with you, because I could just as easily produce another Hadith that forbids the use of musical instruments.

This was Eid and they were not fasting.

I've heard that on joyous occasions instruments such as "Daf" are allowed.

That doesn't mean all music is allowed.

 

[TahirFan]

I've avoided listening to music because I'm not sure if that breaks your fast. Say I'm working out after Asr and need the music to get me going?

Any experts here?

I am no expert but I am sure that there is nothing wrong with spiritual music.

I would not listen to the 'Push baby push' type of pop songs

 

[uberkoen]

what is your interpretation

Interpretation is simple. The Prophet enjoyed music. Music was also played when he first entered Madinah. Arabic culture at that time was to play the duff so people assume duff is allowed and nothing else is. How is the duff any different than a drum or what would be the logic of allowing the duff but not allowing say, a guitar?

What makes a guitar the 'tool of the devil' and not the duff?

 

[Rayyman]

You don't need to listen to music to work out.

 

[ExpressPacer]

A couple of particular caliphs - who I will not name - introduced many new additions to Islam for the sole purpose of driving people away from Islam in the future times. These could be fabricated Hadith, Sunnah or basically anything. They tried to make Islam a more difficult religion so people would abstain from converting or following the truth. Banning music or making Allah sound like some merciless tyrant are a few examples.

 

[uberkoen]

A couple of particular caliphs - who I will not name - introduced many new additions to Islam for the sole purpose of driving people away from Islam in the future times. These could be fabricated Hadith, Sunnah or basically anything. They tried to make Islam a more difficult religion so people would abstain from converting or following the truth. Banning music or making Allah sound like some merciless tyrant are a few examples.

Are you Shia?

 

[ExpressPacer]

Are you Shia?

I am Muslim and that is all. I just find the hypocrisy of some of our Muslim scholars and brothers hilarious when they are so vocal about "biddah - addition to Islam after the death of the prophet" but so conveniently forget (or ignore) the additions or weak ahadith introduced by their particular idols.

 

[Abdul]

You don't need to listen to music to work out.

But I do and besides I was just giving an example.

 

[Poison]

Lol Abdul

There are a very limited number of things that break a fast. Listening to music is not one of them.

 

[uberkoen]

I am Muslim and that is all. I just find the hypocrisy of some of our Muslim scholars and brothers hilarious when they are so vocal about "biddah - addition to Islam after the death of the prophet" but so conveniently forget (or ignore) the additions or weak ahadith introduced by their particular idols.

None of the caliphs are prolific narrators of Hadith. I don't know why you are blaming the caliphs?

 

[ExpressPacer]

None of the caliphs are prolific narrators of Hadith. I don't know why you are blaming the caliphs?

Agreed. But many narrators of Ahadith were close friends and relatives of the caliphs. In fact, one of them was particularly famous and notorious for his extreme nepotism, to the point where he was assassinated by the general public.

As for one of the most famous narrators, Abu Hureyra, he spent 2 years with the prophet and has narrated millions of "Ahadith". A scholar recently made some calculations and according to him, even if we go by the statistic of Abu Hureyra having received 10 ahadith every second of those two years, it still does not add up.

 

[idrizzy]

There are seven things that break the fast, as follows:

1- Intercourse

2- Masturbation

3- Eating and drinking

4- Anything that is regarded as coming under the same heading as eating and drinking

5- Letting blood by means of cupping and the like

6- Vomiting deliberately

7- Menstruation and nifaas

Source: https://islamqa.info/en/38023

 

[Rayyman]

I wonder if nosebleeds nullify the fast. Also biting your lips/skin.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I'm actually very confused about whether or not brushing your teeth breaks your fast. A lot of scholars say it doesn't but I'm not sure I want to take the risk because I am absolutely sure water or toothpaste goes down my throat unconsciously.

 

[Syed1]

Listening to music is not haram

 

[HeavenOrHell]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1336444579771918

Really nice video. It will clear your query too.

 

[idrizzy]

I'm actually very confused about whether or not brushing your teeth breaks your fast. A lot of scholars say it doesn't but I'm not sure I want to take the risk because I am absolutely sure water or toothpaste goes down my throat unconsciously.

Same can be said when you do Wudu

 

[idrizzy]

I wonder if nosebleeds nullify the fast. Also biting your lips/skin.

Unless it's not intentional or can be prevented, it doesn't break the fast. So nose bleeds for example wouldn't, but I'm guessing biting lips would.

 

[Rayyman]

Unless it's not intentional or can be prevented, it doesn't break the fast. So nose bleeds for example wouldn't, but I'm guessing biting lips would.

But lips is not food. And it's already a part of my body

 

[idrizzy]

But lips is not food. And it's already a part of my body

Oh I thought you meant biting your lips enough so they'd bleed lol .

 

[super hitter]

But lips is not food. And it's already a part of my body

if you bite some skin out of it and swallow it intentionally, the YES.

 

[Black Zero]

depends on the genre of music.

like, one must not listen to Bhangra during fasting.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

Agreed. But many narrators of Ahadith were close friends and relatives of the caliphs. In fact, one of them was particularly famous and notorious for his extreme nepotism, to the point where he was assassinated by the general public.

As for one of the most famous narrators, Abu Hureyra, he spent 2 years with the prophet and has narrated millions of "Ahadith". A scholar recently made some calculations and according to him, even if we go by the statistic of Abu Hureyra having received 10 ahadith every second of those two years, it still does not add up.

You could've just said yes to that Shia question

 

[ExpressPacer]

You could've just said yes to that Shia question

I know. But I didn't want to turn this into a Shia vs Sunni debate or sound biased. I was just simply stating a fact.

 

[uberkoen]

Agreed. But many narrators of Ahadith were close friends and relatives of the caliphs. In fact, one of them was particularly famous and notorious for his extreme nepotism, to the point where he was assassinated by the general public.

As for one of the most famous narrators, Abu Hureyra, he spent 2 years with the prophet and has narrated millions of "Ahadith". A scholar recently made some calculations and according to him, even if we go by the statistic of Abu Hureyra having received 10 ahadith every second of those two years, it still does not add up.

How about the narrations coming from Hazrat Ayesha? Some of those narrations are also very alarming. Do you reject those as well?

Also, Abu Huraira (r.a) spent 3 years with the Prophet not 2 and it is a known fact that he basically dedicated those full three years to sticking to the Prophet (PBUH) while the others were busy either attending to their families or businesses. So basically his learning from the Prophet (PBUH) was a full time job for him. Moreover, he outlived the four khulafa' ar-rashidin, and most of his time was spent in teaching the Sunnah and the rulings of the deen, so it is only natural that he should have narrated so many ahadith.

After all, if Abu Hurayrah's Hadith were suspect or worthless, why would so many people be involved in the narration of his Hadiths?

So irrespective of the number of Hadiths a Companion narrates, you could ask the question:

What kept all these Muslims (other Companions; major Tabi'in; the younger Tabi'in; the Imams of the different cities; the Jurists; the Ashab al-Hadith who collected Masanid; the Six Authors, and so forth) look after his Hadith, verify them and use them as authoritative evidences?

Also, he didn't narrate millions of hadith the number is around 5-6 thousand.

 

[ExpressPacer]

How about the narrations coming from Hazrat Ayesha? Some of those narrations are also very alarming. Do you reject those as well?

Also, Abu Huraira (r.a) spent 3 years with the Prophet not 2 and it is a known fact that he basically dedicated those full three years to sticking to the Prophet (PBUH) while the others were busy either attending to their families or businesses. So basically his learning from the Prophet (PBUH) was a full time job for him. Moreover, he outlived the four khulafa' ar-rashidin, and most of his time was spent in teaching the Sunnah and the rulings of the deen, so it is only natural that he should have narrated so many ahadith.

After all, if Abu Hurayrah's Hadith were suspect or worthless, why would so many people be involved in the narration of his Hadiths?

So irrespective of the number of Hadiths a Companion narrates, you could ask the question:

What kept all these Muslims (other Companions; major Tabi'in; the younger Tabi'in; the Imams of the different cities; the Jurists; the Ashab al-Hadith who collected Masanid; the Six Authors, and so forth) look after his Hadith, verify them and use them as authoritative evidences?

Also, he didn't narrate millions of hadith the number is around 5-6 thousand.

Sorry but most Sunni and Shia books agree that he spent 2 years with the Prophet (PBUH) and not more. And yes, I know he did not narrate millions of "Ahadith", that was a figure of speech. To be exact, it was around 6000, like you said yourself. And that is where the statistic I am speaking of comes into play, it is not logically possible for him to have heard that many Ahadith in such a short number of time even if he spent 24 hours with him every single day of those 2 years. Heck, even if he spent 3 years with him (according to your theory), it would still not have been possible. But even if we are to believe that somehow this was possible and the prophet uttering 10 Ahadith every second, it still doesn't make sense because to memorizing that many Ahadith is logically impossible - even if you have startling memory.

 

[ExpressPacer]

How about the narrations coming from Hazrat Ayesha? Some of those narrations are also very alarming. Do you reject those as well?

Also, Abu Huraira (r.a) spent 3 years with the Prophet not 2 and it is a known fact that he basically dedicated those full three years to sticking to the Prophet (PBUH) while the others were busy either attending to their families or businesses. So basically his learning from the Prophet (PBUH) was a full time job for him. Moreover, he outlived the four khulafa' ar-rashidin, and most of his time was spent in teaching the Sunnah and the rulings of the deen, so it is only natural that he should have narrated so many ahadith.

After all, if Abu Hurayrah's Hadith were suspect or worthless, why would so many people be involved in the narration of his Hadiths?

So irrespective of the number of Hadiths a Companion narrates, you could ask the question:

What kept all these Muslims (other Companions; major Tabi'in; the younger Tabi'in; the Imams of the different cities; the Jurists; the Ashab al-Hadith who collected Masanid; the Six Authors, and so forth) look after his Hadith, verify them and use them as authoritative evidences?

Also, he didn't narrate millions of hadith the number is around 5-6 thousand.

I don't understand some of Hazrat Ayesha's narrated Ahadith because they go in contradiction with some of the major Ahadith by the Prophet. For example, she says that the Prophet said that she was by far his favorite wife, however that does not make sense because the Prophet did not have any concept of favoring one wife (or Sahaba or person) over another.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

If the song is about food then yes

 

[ExpressPacer]

[MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]

Anyway, I give preference to Ahadith narrated by the Prophet's family over the ones narrated by Sahaba because I consider them more reliable and viable.

 

[uberkoen]

Sorry but most Sunni and Shia books agree that he spent 2 years with the Prophet (PBUH) and not more. And yes, I know he did not narrate millions of "Ahadith", that was a figure of speech. To be exact, it was around 6000, like you said yourself. And that is where the statistic I am speaking of comes into play, it is not logically possible for him to have heard that many Ahadith in such a short number of time even if he spent 24 hours with him every single day of those 2 years. Heck, even if he spent 3 years with him (according to your theory), it would still not have been possible. But even if we are to believe that somehow this was possible and the prophet uttering 10 Ahadith every second, it still doesn't make sense because to memorizing that many Ahadith is logically impossible - even if you have startling memory.

Can you share the calculations with me? Assuming he spent 8 hours a day with the Prophet for 2 years that comes out to almost 6,000 hours which means one hadith per hour. Doesn't seem very far fetched to me.

With regards to memory. If people can memorize the entire Qurán why can't someone memorize Hadith. For all you know he may have photographic memory or some thing? It's not out of the question and honestly, doesn't seem as far fetched as you are making it out to be.

Also, you completely ignored my question regarding the narrations from Hazrat Aisha.

 

[uberkoen]

[MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]

Anyway, I give preference to Ahadith narrated by the Prophet's family over the ones narrated by Sahaba because I consider them more reliable and viable.

So Hazrat Aisha can memorize 3-4K Ahadith and that's okay but no one else can? How does that make any sense?

 

[ExpressPacer]

Can you share the calculations with me? Assuming he spent 8 hours a day with the Prophet for 2 years that comes out to almost 6,000 hours which means one hadith per hour. Doesn't seem very far fetched to me.

With regards to memory. If people can memorize the entire Qurán why can't someone memorize Hadith. For all you know he may have photographic memory or some thing? It's not out of the question and honestly, doesn't seem as far fetched as you are making it out to be.

Also, you completely ignored my question regarding the narrations from Hazrat Aisha.

I'm sorry, I don't have the calculations. I am on my phone as of now but I will look up it up and share it with you in the future hopefully.

As for the memory bit, I humbly disagree because it takes years for a person to memorize the Quran and he was with the Prophet for only 2 years. He didn't even write them down so logically speaking, it is impossible for him to have simply remembered them using his mind.

I answered your ques

 

[Mamoon]

I won't get into any argument here with you, because I could just as easily produce another Hadith that forbids the use of musical instruments.

This was Eid and they were not fasting.

I've heard that on joyous occasions instruments such as "Daf" are allowed.

That doesn't mean all music is allowed.

I hope you have stopped taking selfies. The sources that consider music haram are against photography as well.

 

[ExpressPacer]

So Hazrat Aisha can memorize 3-4K Ahadith and that's okay but no one else can? How does that make any sense?

Please read my other post where I said I am not entirely sure about believing Ahadith quoted by Hazrat Ayesha. But as for my post regards to his family, the likes of Imam Ali (A.S), Hazrat Fatima (A.S), Imam Hussain (A.S), Imam Hasan (A.S) spent their entire lives with the Prophet and YET they did not narrate as many "Ahadith" as Abu Huraira who converted to Islam before the death of the Prophet and at the time of his conversion to Islam, he wasn't even in the same town as the Prophet so that makes it even less than 2 years. It is logically impossible.

 

[Black Zero]

So Hazrat Aisha can memorize 3-4K Ahadith and that's okay but no one else can? How does that make any sense?

He used to visit every wife every day/night so naturally level of interaction was greater.
She had an active role in Abu Bakr and Umer's era.
She had an active role during Usman, Ali, Muwviya and Hassan's time.

above are the reasons that so many incidents narrated by her.
though western historians do not take her narrations seriously.

 

[ExpressPacer]

He used to visit every wife every day/night so naturally level of interaction was greater.
She had an active role in Abu Bakr and Umer's era.
She had an active role during Usman, Ali, Muwviya and Hassan's time.

above are the reasons that so many incidents narrated by her.
though western historians do not take her narrations seriously.

What is your opinion with regards to the authenticity of her narrations?

 

[Square Drive]

I don't think it breaks your fast, but it's something I avoid as much as I can.

 

[yasir]

There are no experts here.

But in general, music is not allowed anyways, so why would it be allowed or disallowed during fasting?

However a lot of Muslims will come in this thread soon and say "Music is allowed".

My opinion.

Better to abstain than to listen. (and that's coming from a guy who used to listen to music in the bathroom while taking showers).

Doc you are going from bad to worse...You have problem with people who don't fast or Namaz, now you have problem with Music as well. Music is a form of expression, its integral part of been human, how can one take music out of literature and culture?? - Music as form of expression will always live on, these petty believe systems are short lived...

BTW: What is logic behind not listening to music? - Written literature, photography or other mediums of expression can all do those things. Why not ban everything? - Bluntly banning all music is too extreme...

 

[Justcrazy]

There are no experts here.

But in general, music is not allowed anyways, so why would it be allowed or disallowed during fasting?

However a lot of Muslims will come in this thread soon and say "Music is allowed".

My opinion.

Better to abstain than to listen. (and that's coming from a guy who used to listen to music in the bathroom while taking showers).

Music is not allowed in Islam , its very clear.

Prophet shut his ears with his fingers when he was exposed to some kind of music, does that leave any doubt ?

 

[Justcrazy]

Please read my other post where I said I am not entirely sure about believing Ahadith quoted by Hazrat Ayesha. But as for my post regards to his family, the likes of Imam Ali (A.S), Hazrat Fatima (A.S), Imam Hussain (A.S), Imam Hasan (A.S) spent their entire lives with the Prophet and YET they did not narrate as many "Ahadith" as Abu Huraira who converted to Islam before the death of the Prophet and at the time of his conversion to Islam, he wasn't even in the same town as the Prophet so that makes it even less than 2 years. It is logically impossible.

There were two kinds of companions. Some thought that we have to be very careful from narrating from prophet , because if we make mistake it can be costly one. Even Abu Bakr RA did not narrate that many hadeeth , despite being early Muslim.

Other thought was that they must try and narrate most of what they know , so that knowledge passes to next generation.

Abu Huraira RA was not involved in worldly life that much and lived near masjid , prophet also made a positive dua for his memory.

Brother one more thing , most of the critical narrations in favour of ahle bayat are from him only.

 

[Justcrazy]

I don't understand some of Hazrat Ayesha's narrated Ahadith because they go in contradiction with some of the major Ahadith by the Prophet. For example, she says that the Prophet said that she was by far his favorite wife, however that does not make sense because the Prophet did not have any concept of favoring one wife (or Sahaba or person) over another.

I have never come across such an hadeeth. May be that was her personal opinion.

From evidence it looks like that Muhammad SAW loved and respected Khadija RA most. In her life he never married another women , and even after death he remembered her a lot .

Unfortunately because of shia - sunni issues , the position and status of Khadija RA and the role played by her in Islam is never discussed.

She is among the four women who achieved perfection in the world, who can compare with her ?

 

[Justcrazy]

A couple of particular caliphs - who I will not name - introduced many new additions to Islam for the sole purpose of driving people away from Islam in the future times. These could be fabricated Hadith, Sunnah or basically anything. They tried to make Islam a more difficult religion so people would abstain from converting or following the truth. Banning music or making Allah sound like some merciless tyrant are a few examples.

Can you give some examples of some new things introduced in Islam ?

 

[WC-Passion]

No it doesn't break the fast though it's not reccomended in Islam. /thread

 

[ExpressPacer]

Can you give some examples of some new things introduced in Islam ?

Addition in Fajr Azaan, Taraweeh, change in the way of ablution to what it says in the Quran are a few examples.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

[MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]

Anyway, I give preference to Ahadith narrated by the Prophet's family over the ones narrated by Sahaba because I consider them more reliable and viable.

Yeh to apna banda nikla

On a serious note, I also don't understand this concept of Sahaba's narrations somehow being more reliable and viable than that of Ahle Bait, i.e. Rasulullah's SAWW own household.

 

[TahirFan]

Will this song break my fast

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yeh to apna banda nikla

On a serious note, I also don't understand this concept of Sahaba's narrations somehow being more reliable and viable than that of Ahle Bait, i.e. Rasulullah's SAWW own household.

Agreed. It is beyond me how any sect can consider the Sahaba a more reliable source compared to the Ahle Bait. I have tremendous respect for the Sahaba but even the "Sahaba" consisted of many hypocrites. Proof to are people like Abdullah bin Ubbay who Allah mentioned in the Quran.

Some particular Caliphs and leaders after the demise of the Prophet (PBUH) destroyed Islamic history and have made the Ahle Bait's significance sound much lower to than that of their own.

 

[Mamoon]

Music is not allowed in Islam , its very clear.

Prophet shut his ears with his fingers when he was exposed to some kind of music, does that leave any doubt ?

Actually it does. It is possible that the Prophet (SAW) personally did not like and enjoy music, but that does not make music haram. After all, the Prophet was a human being and every human being has likes and dislikes. Just because the Prophet (SAW) did not like something does not mean that it is banned on the Ummah. In this case, disliking - or learning to dislike - music would be equivalent of a sunnah, nothing more.

If there are other - and more legitimate - justifications for why music is an absolute no-no, then I am open to change my view on this matter. However, I have read into this a lot and I am yet to come across a convincing argument which makes music haram beyond any reasonable doubt.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I hope you have stopped taking selfies. The sources that consider music haram are against photography as well.

Big difference between accepting something as wrong and rejecting it wrong outright altogether.

I dont deny selfies and photography is wrong and you can consider it weakness of my faith.

However its Muslims who make Music as halal are the ones who are just giving opinions because they like it.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Doc you are going from bad to worse...You have problem with people who don't fast or Namaz, now you have problem with Music as well. Music is a form of expression, its integral part of been human, how can one take music out of literature and culture?? - Music as form of expression will always live on, these petty believe systems are short lived...

BTW: What is logic behind not listening to music? - Written literature, photography or other mediums of expression can all do those things. Why not ban everything? - Bluntly banning all music is too extreme...

Bro you are acting like i am holy and pious.

I claim to be no Momin or Sufi.

I make thousands of mistakes everyday.

And i do lots of things i shouldnt.

Its just when i point out WHAT SHOULD BE DONE people ask me whether i am doing it or not?

Irrespective of what i do or dont do, people cant use that as evidence of what is Halal or Haram.

They are enough books on the matter and its better to refer to them than to attack me for suggesting my view.
(This is not specifically for you but anyone who argues with me and considers me as authority on Islam).

 

[shaz619]

Is it haram to listen to this:

 

[shaz619]

I listen to that one a lot as well, I hope its not haram

 

[Justcrazy]

[/b]

Actually it does. It is possible that the Prophet (SAW) personally did not like and enjoy music, but that does not make music haram. After all, the Prophet was a human being and every human being has likes and dislikes. Just because the Prophet (SAW) did not like something does not mean that it is banned on the Ummah. In this case, disliking - or learning to dislike - music would be equivalent of a sunnah, nothing more.

If there are other - and more legitimate - justifications for why music is an absolute no-no, then I am open to change my view on this matter. However, I have read into this a lot and I am yet to come across a convincing argument which makes music haram beyond any reasonable doubt.

Prophets do not speak ambiguously . Otherwise how can they be guides to mankind ?

If something was matter of his personal choice , prophet mentioned that . Haram and Halal are very clear in Islam.