:salam2:
Alhamdulillah that you understand this matter dear sister. May Allah protect your beautiful voice, and allow you to use it in His glorification and praise.
As for those who advice very quickly, I adjure you to please use caution. Every word we say, whether approval or disapproval should have some backing within our Deen when it comes to such matters. If we do not know something for sure, we should refrain from giving advice or judgment, as this may in turn harm those who we advice and ourselves as well! The story comes to mind of Imaam Maalik rahimahullah. For those who havent read it:
Al-Imam Malik was asked forty questions by someone and to most of them he answered "I don't know - Allah knows better". The man was surprised that the great Imam Malik didn't know the answers. Seeing the man surprised, Imam Malik told him that when he goes back to his town, to tell the people that he met and asked al-Imam Malik questions and Imam Malik said he didn't know the answers. Al-Imam Malik didn't want to be accountable for giving wrong answers. Thus, if we are to become an educator or a scholar, we should have the courage to admit what we do not know. We should not give an answer which may contain incorrect information.
We too should follow in this same manner inshaAllah and be very careful that when we give answers they are based on true and certain knowledge.
Also my dear sister, personally I would advise to stay away from singers such as Sami Yusuf. Masha'Allah I see your level of commitment to the Deen and to it's legislation... but the same does not occur with all people. What would you say of a person who steals and then gives in charity? Doing something haraam... but saying it's for a good cause. Then think of those who use Music, after knowing that it has been declared haraam... in the view that they are doing something good. It is equally wrong no?
Thereby, I pray ukhti that you use your voice towards what is good and most beneficial, say as in Qur'aan and reciting it beautifully inshaAllah. As we are told in hadeeth that the Prophet
said,
"The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur'an and teach
it." (Bukhari)
I'm not discouraging from nasheed, and saying you cannot sing them. Rather on the contrary I hope to simply remind you of this as well. Your voice, your ability and talent are all blessings from Allah subhana wa 'tala, and you should use them to recite what is most beautiful... and not only that, but that which will raise your ranks after your death, be your companion, intercede on your behalf, gain you numerous reward for every single letter, and allow you to be with the noble Angels.
Therefore just something to keep in mind inshaAllah (although I'm pretty sure you know all this anyways!)
Take care
wasalam