باسم الله، والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Wa ʿalaykum as-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. May Allah keep you well.

Regarding your question,

Our scholars make an important distinction between:

1. Intentional listening (الاستماع): turning one’s attention to music, seeking it, or enjoying it
2. Hearing without intent (السماع): music that is heard incidentally, without choice or desire

Accordingly, if the content itself is halal and beneficial (such as nature documentaries, educational material, or news), and:

1. The music is incidental, not the focus
2. The viewer does not intend to listen to or enjoy the music
3. The viewer would prefer the content without music
4. Reasonable effort is made to reduce or avoid it when possible;

Then scholars state that there is no sin on the viewer, because this falls under unavoidable accompaniment, not deliberate consumption.

Our scholars explain that secondary and unintended exposure to a prohibited matter does not carry the same consequences as direct engagement, especially when avoiding it would cause hardship or loss of a legitimate benefit.

That said, it is also important to note that although incidental exposure is excused, scholars still advise:

1. Muting background music when possible
2. Lowering volume
3. Using versions without music if available
4. Avoiding content where music becomes dominant or central
5. 
   

This is based on the principle of taqwā and avoidance of doubtful matters, not because the incidental exposure itself is sinful.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

«دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَىٰ مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ»

“Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.”

(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī)

And Allah knows best