Halalify Ratings Guide
Halalify returns a per-school verdict for every analyzed song on a 1–5 scale. This guide explains what each score means and how the two major scoring frameworks — Sistani's entertainment-gatherings test and Khamenei's lahwi assessment — map onto the scale.
The 1–5 Verdict Scale
Each school of thought analyzed by Halalify returns a score from 1 to 5:
| Score | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Clearly Halal | The song passes the school's criteria without qualification. |
| 4 | Likely Halal | Permissible under the school's framework with minor considerations. |
| 3 | Caution | Borderline — the school's criteria point in conflicting directions. Consult a scholar. |
| 2 | Likely Haram | Problematic under the school's framework; most scholars of that tradition would advise against it. |
| 1 | Clearly Haram | Clearly prohibited under the school's documented rulings — explicit haram content or tunes. |
A score of 3 (Caution) does not mean "probably fine" — it means the analysis found genuine ambiguity and a qualified scholar should be consulted for a personal ruling.
Sistani's Entertainment-Gatherings Test
For the Sistani school, Halalify applies the single criterion from A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West (Book 46, §2071): is the music suitable for entertainment and amusement gatherings? A score of 4–5 means the tune is not of that type; 1–2 means it clearly is; 3 means it is borderline. Lyrics do not affect the Sistani score — even religious content sung in entertainment-style tunes is analyzed as haram under his framework. Full explanation of Sistani's ruling →
Khamenei's Lahwi Assessment
For the Khamenei school, Halalify applies the lahwi framework from leader.ir (Q&A nos. 1121–1153): does the music keep people away from God and drive them toward sinful acts or carelessness? A score of 4–5 means the music does not meet the lahwi threshold; 1–2 means it clearly does; 3 means the analysis found borderline characteristics. Khamenei's grey-area default (Q1133: ambiguous sounds are permissible) is factored in. Full explanation of Khamenei's ruling →
Why Scores Differ Between Schools
The same song can receive different scores from different schools because each school applies a different analytical framework. A track may score 5 (Clearly Halal) under Khamenei's lahwi test — because it doesn't draw people away from God — and 2 (Likely Haram) under Sistani's test — because its tune is of the entertainment-gathering type. Neither result is wrong; they reflect different jurisprudential methodologies. Overview of how all schools approach music →
Check a specific song
Halalify analyzes any song against each of these schools and returns a per-school verdict with the reasoning behind it.
Frequently asked questions
What does a score of 3 (Caution) mean?
A score of 3 means Halalify found genuine ambiguity in applying the school's criteria to the song. It does not mean the song is probably fine or probably prohibited — it means the analysis could not reach a confident verdict in either direction. This typically occurs when a song has some characteristics associated with prohibition and some associated with permission under the same school's framework. For a personal ruling on a song that scores 3, consult a qualified scholar of the relevant school or tradition.
Can a song be Halal under one school and Haram under another?
Yes — this is common and expected. Each school applies a distinct analytical framework, so verdicts differ. Ayatollah Sistani applies a convention-based entertainment-gatherings test focused on the type of tune; Ayatollah Khamenei applies a spiritual lahwi test focused on whether the music keeps people from God. The four Sunni madhabs each have their own criteria. A song that passes Khamenei's lahwi threshold may still fail Sistani's entertainment-gatherings test. Halalify displays all school verdicts side by side so you can apply the one relevant to your tradition.
Halalify Music is an educational tool, not a fatwa service. It summarizes documented scholarly positions and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified Islamic scholar for a personal ruling.
