Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)

Chapter 307
Undesirability of Hanging Bells round the Necks of Animals

1690. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Angels do not accompany the travellers who have with them a dog or a bell.''
[Muslim].

Commentary:  "Dog'' here stands for that dog which is prohibited to keep. Dogs kept for the purpose of hunting and security do not fall in this category. Angels signify angels of mercy; otherwise we are attended all the time by the angels who record our deeds for us. Bell in this context refers to the bell which is placed in the neck of animals and rings when they move.

1691. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The bell is one of the musical instruments of Satan.''
[Muslim].

Commentary: Mazamir is the plural of Mizmar meaning musical instrument. It covers the lute, the plectrum and other musical instruments. All these are used by Satan to lead the people astray. Nowadays these articles have become alarmingly common. The matter does not end here. The public mentality is so distorted that they take music as food of the soul. (We seek the Refuge of Allah from it). It can be true of those whose souls are overpowered by Satan because one who lives in filth is so used to it that one cannot live without it. May Allah protect us from such satanic occupations.