Seek god's forgiveness, Deoband ulemas tell Muslim bhajan singer and former Indian Idol contestant Farmani Naz

A Muzaffarnagar-based Muslim woman singer Farmani Naz, a former 'Indian Idol' contestant, has drawn the ire of Deoband ulemas for singing a Shiva bhajan that was a hit in this year's kanwar yatra. But 30-year-old Farmani Naz has stood her ground and said she sees nothing wrong in doing what she's good at, more so as it helps her get money that she can use for her son's treatment.

Farmani Naz became an internet sensation with over 3.8 million followers after she began singing to support her ailing son. On July 23, she posted her rendition of the bhajan 'Har Har Shambhu', which has garnered over 9,20,000 views so far. It was extensively played by kanwariyas on their march to Haridwar recently. Soon, she received flak from several Deoband ulemas, who asked her to "seek forgiveness from god".

"Our religion does not allow us to sing bhajans of other religions. This is against the sharia as well as the basic tenets of Islam. But we live in a democracy. Everyone has the right to do the work they like," said Deoband-based maulana Ishaq Gora.

Another ulema, Mufti Asad Qasmi, said, "You can't just sing any kind of song if you follow Islam. Despite being a Muslim, Naz is singing bhajans. She should ask for forgiveness from god."

Naz remained unfazed. "I sing to take care of my four-year-old son, who has an ailment pertaining to his throat. I even had to leave 'Indian Idol' in 2021 despite getting a 'golden ticket' because my child had to undergo an operation. He's all that matters to me. I was married off to a man in Meerut in 2017 but domestic strife led to our separation," she said.

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Underneath her video on YouTube, she has commented, "Music has no religion. Great singers like Mohammed Rafi have also sung bhajans. It's my request to everyone to not associate music with any particular religion."

Her mother, Fatima Begum, said, "She also performs namaz. She is doing this for her livelihood."