 he said he did not hear a single word of singing from the time the caliphate was entrusted to him until he left this world. as for before that when he was the emir of medina he used to listen to singing but nothing appeared from it except the beautiful. he would sometimes clap his hands roll around on his bed stamp his feet and rejoice. as for him going beyond the extent of joy to foolishness no.
قال ما طن في سمعه حرف غناء، منذ أفضت الخلافة إليه إلى أن فارق الدنيا. فأما قبلها، وهو أمير المدينة، فكان يسمع الغناء، ولا يظهر منه إلا الأمر الجميل. وكان ربما صفق بيديه، وربما تمرغ على فراشه، وضرب برجليه وطرب. فأما أن يخرج عن مقدار السرور إلى السخف، فلا.