Question Summary:
Is duff jaiz?

Question Detail:

There is a gathering in our community once every week. The burda is read with the duff. Will it be permissible to attend it?
 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The burda is a collection of poems by Allamah Busairi (Rahimahullah) in praises of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
To sing poetry in praises of Rasoolullah(Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam)is permissible and it generates love for Rasoolullah(Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) which should increase ones Iman and spur one to emulate the sunnah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
There is a strong possibility that the beating of the duff with the recitation of the burda will lead to being an entertainment rather than being a spiritual exercise. The focus will be on the beating of the duff rather than on the poems especially when people attending the gathering do not even know Arabic. The burda contains high level of Arabic linguistics.
It is a well-known fact that the beating of the duffs nowadays resemble musical instruments. As such, the beating of the duff with the recitation of the burda is not permissible.
If the purpose of the gathering is truly a spiritually motivating programme, it will be interesting to determine how many people have increased their knowledge on the Sunnah? How many people made tawba and reformed themselves? How many people adopted the Sunnah life style?
We understand and appreciate the motive behind such a gathering. However, in order to achieve the objective, one should seek the advice and guidance of Ulama. Merely being sincere in one’s objective without correct guidance leads to misguidance.
We advise to modify the programme by requesting a learned person to occasionally read the Qasida burda and explain portions of it and educate on the blessed Sunnah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
A better option will be to recite salat and salam upon Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). Almighty Allah Ta’ala said:
{إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا } [الأحزاب: 56]
Translation: Surely, Allah and His angels send blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, do pray Allah to bless him, and send your Salam (prayer for his being in peace) to him in abundance. 
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ وَاحِدَةً، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا» سنن أبي داود (2/ 88)
Translation: Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllah anh) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: Whoever sends one blessing on me, Allah will send ten blessings on him.
عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِي يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ أَكْثَرُهُمْ عَلَيَّ صَلاَةً. سنن الترمذي ت بشار (1/ 612)
Translation: Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (radiyAllah anh) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayh wasallam) said: The closest of people to me on the Day of Resurrection is the one who sends most salat on me.
عَنْ كَعْبِ بْنِ عُجْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَمَّا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ فَقَدْ عَرَفْنَاهُ، فَكَيْفَ الصَّلاَةُ عَلَيْكَ؟ قَالَ: " قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ " صحيح البخاري (6/ 120)
Translation: Ka'b bin 'Ujrah (radiyAllah anh)narrates: It was said: O messenger of Allah! As for salam on you, we know it, so how should we send salat on you? He said: Say: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Reciting salat and salam invokes the mercy of Allah, the happiness of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) and is a means of spiritually enlightening oneself.
Reciting the burda cannot be equal in reward, merit and spirituality to reciting salat and salam upon Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).  
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Zakariya Memon
Student Darul Iftaa
Chatham, Canada
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
Daruliftaa.net