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I FEEL very uncomfortable about the pop culture which is growing around some so-called Nasheed artists. Of course I use the term ‘Nasheed artists' very lightly. Islamic ‘boy bands' and Muslim ‘popsters' would probably be more appropriate.
Eminent scholars throughout history have often opined that music is haram, and I don't recall reading anything about the Sahaba whooping it up to the sound of music. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for people letting off steam, but in a dignified manner and one which is appropriate to their surroundings.
The reason I am expressing concern is that just a few days ago at a venue in Central London, sisters went wild in the aisles as some form of pop-mania swept through the concert venue. And I'm not just talking about silly, little girls who don't know any better; I am talking about sisters in their 20's, 30's and 40's, who squealed, shouted, swayed and danced. Even the security guys who looked more like pipe cleaners than bulldozers were left looking dazed and confused as they tried to stop hijabi sisters from standing on their chairs.
Of course the stage groupies did not help at all as they waved and encouraged the largely female Muslim crowd to "get up and sing along." (They're called ‘Fluffers' in lap-dancing circles!)
The source of all this adulation was British-born Sami Yusuf, who is so proud of his claret-colored passport that he wants us all to wave the Union Jacks. I'm amazed he didn't encourage his fans to sing "Land of Hope and Glory." Brother Sami asked his audience to cheer if they were proud to be British ,and when they responded loudly, he said he couldn't hear them and asked them to cheer again.
How can anyone be proud to be British? Britain is the third most hated country in the world. The Union Jack is drenched in the blood of our brothers and sisters across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine. Our history is steeped in the blood of colonialism, rooted in slavery, brutality, torture, and oppression. And we haven't had a decent game of soccer since we lifted the World Cup in 1966.
Apparently Sami also said one of the selling points of Brand UK was having Muslims in the Metropolitan Police Force! Astafur'Allah! Dude, these are the same cops who have a shoot-to-kill policy and would have gunned down a Muslim last year if they could tell the difference between a Bangladeshi and a Brazilian. This is the same police force that has raided more than 3000 Muslim homes in Britain since 9/11. What sort of life is there on Planet Sami, I wonder? If he is so proud to be British, why is he living in the great Middle Eastern democracy of Egypt?
Apparently the sort of hysteria Sami helped encourage is also in America, and if it is happening on both sides of the Atlantic, then it must be creeping around the globe and poisoning the masses. Islamic boy bands like 786 and Mecca 2 Medina are also the subject of the sort of female adulation you expect to see on American Pop Idol or the X-Factor. Surely Islamic events should be promoting restrained and more sedate behavior.
Do we blame the out-of-control sisters? Or do we blame the organizers for allowing this sort of excessive behavior which demeans Islam? Or do we blame the artists themselves?
Abu Ali and Abu Abdul Malik, struggling for their Deen, would certainly not try to whip up this sort of hysteria. Neither would the anonymous heroic Nasheed artists who sing for freedom; check out Idhrib Ya Asad Fallujah, and you will know exactly what I mean.
Fallujah is now synonymous with the sort of heroic resistance that elevated the Palestinians of Jenin to the ranks of the resistance written about in the Paris Communeand the Siege of Leningrad. The US military has banned the playing of any Nasheeds about Fallujah because of the power and the passion it evokes.
If those Nasheeds had sisters running in the streets whooping and dancing, however, the Nasheeds may be encouraged because of haram activity surrounding them.
Quite frankly, I really don't know how anyone in the Ummah can really let go and scream and shout with joy at pleasure domes when there is so much brutality and suffering going on in the world today. The rivers of blood flow freely from the veins of our brothers and sisters from across the Muslim world.
Screaming and shouting the names of musical heroes drown out the screams coming from the dungeons of Uzbekistan where brothers and sisters are boiled alive in vats of water. How many will jump up and down and wave their arms in the air, shouting wildly for justice for our kin in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Palestine, and Iraq?
There are many more killing fields as well across the Asian and Arab world. Will you climb on theater chairs and express your rage over Guantanamo Bay and other gulags where our brothers and sisters are being tortured, raped, sodomized, beaten, and burned? Or will you just switch off this concerned sister and switch on to the likes of Sami Yusuf because he can sell you a pipe dream with his soothing words and melodic voice?
Oh, Muslims, wake up! The Ummah is not bleeding; it is hemorrhaging. Listen not to what is haram. Listen to the pain of your global family.
**Originally published in the DailyMuslims
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1. Written by
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, on 24-10-2008 16:15
it is very embaracing to listen to naats with music in background, as most of the non muslims will get wrong perception about prohibition of music in Islam |
2. Written by
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, on 22-10-2008 17:36
assalamualaikum
I have just read the article by Yvonne and really I make dua that Allah blesses you YVONNE for your courage in being able to enjoin good and try to stop wrong .I have also read the letter by Sami Yusuf in response to your article and I feel very sorry for him for STILL BEATING HIS DRUM.
ISLAM IS A RELIGION FOR ALL TIMES AND ALL PEOPLE AND THE QURAN AND SUNNAH SHALL BE THE RULES AND CONSTITUTION WHICH ALL MUSLIMS MUST ABIDE BY UNTIL THE DAY OF QIYAAMAH TO ATTAIN ALLAH (SWT) pleasure and for us to be able to attain Jannah WHICH IS THE aim OF ALL mUSLIMS.
i QUOTE THE FOLLOWING BY SAMI YUSUF IN HIS REPLY AND
As Britons and Muslims we have a religious and civic obligation to help maintain a safe and secure Britain. This actually raises serious questions about the participation of British Muslims not just in the Metropolitan Police but in mainstream civil society. We have three options as a community: [1] To assimilate and lose our cultural, ethnic and even religious roots.
MY REPSONSE IS THIS THAT
WE AS MUSLIMS CAN ASSIMILATE BUT WE CAN AND MUST PROMOTE OUR DEEN BY FOLLOWING THE SUNNAH OF THE PROPHET (SAW) JUST BY DISPALYING GOOD CHARACTER IN OUR DAILY BUSINEES DEALINGS, DAILY LIFE ,WITH OUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS AND COLLEAUGUES .
The challenge and jihad of a muslim is to live in an environment TOTALLY hostile to the Muslim Faith BUT the MUSLIM must be able to display restraint and Great Character which inshaallah will be a means of Hidayah for other muslims and non -muslims so that our ISLAMIC ROOTS WILL BE STRENGTHENED
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TAKE COURAGE AND STRENGTH FROM THE SAHAABAH LIKE SUMAYYA (RAD )AND HAZRAT UMAR (RAD) AND OTHERS .
[2] To ghettoise and divorce ourselves from society and face extermination.
THIS SOUNDS RIDCULOUS AND FAR FETCHED AS EVEN IN TODAYS TIMES IT IS APPARENT THAT ALTHOUGH COMMUNISM TRIED TO STAMP OUT THE PRACTICE OF ISLAM THERE ARE MANY MANY MUSLIMS WHO SACRIFICED AND ENSURED THE DAWAH EVEN IN RUSSIA AND CHINA.
ALLAH KNOWS BEST
[3] To positively integrate and contribute to society whilst remaining loyal to both faith and country.
DEAR BROTHER SAMI
ALLAH (SWT ) IS THE ONLY ONE WE OWE OUR LOYALTY TO
NO COUNTRY ,NO PEOPLE , NO ORICE NOR KING WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU ON THE DAY OF QIYAAMAH
DONT SAY STOP BEING AN EXTREMIST COS ON THAT DAY U WILL REALISE WHAT YOUR PURPOSE WAS AS A MUSLIM
YEAH TO PROPOGATE AND FOLLOW THE DEEN OF OUR PROPHET (SAW) AND YOU BELEIVE YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB OF THAT WITH YOUR MUSIC
SURE LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING TO HEAR AND BE CONCIENTISED ABOUT THE PROPHET (SAW) BUT YOU ARE SORELY MISTAKEN
PLEASE READ AUTHENTIC BOOKS , HADITHS AND THE QURAAN AND SEE THAT
WHENEVER WE DO ANYTHING FOR ISLAM OR FOR ANYTHING ELSE WE ARE COMMANDED TO FOLLOW THE WAY OF THE PROPHET WHO SAID IN A FEW WORDS
\'Music grows hypocrisy in the heart just as water causes crops to grow.\' (Bayhaqi vol.10 pg.222).
\'There will be people from my Ummah who will seek to make lawful fornication, wearing of silk, wine and the use of musical instruments.\' (Bukhaari vol.2 pg.837)
. group of my Ummah will drink wine calling it by other than its real name. merry will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and by the singing of females. Allah will cleave the earth under them and turn them into apes and swines.\' (Abu Dawud vol.2 pg.519)
THERE ARE MANY HADITHS WHICH REFER TO THE PROHIBITION OF MUSIC
FURTHERMORE LETS LOOK AT THE ATMOSPHERE OF
MIXING OF THE SEXES AND THE ZINAA WHICH CAN ARISE FROM THIS KIND OF GATHERING
IT IS SAID WORDS TO THIS EFFECT
STAY AWAY FROM ADULTERY AND ANY ACT WHICH WILL PROMOTE OR LEAD TO ADULTERY
Really I suggest that you do have a gift from ALLAH (SWT) please dont take offence and take heed by changing the way you conduct your concerts or recitals
ALLAH BLESS YOU AND ALL OF US MUSLIMS WITH THE HIDAYAH , MANNERISMS,LOVE FOR ALLAH LIKE HE BLESSED THE SAHAABAH (RAD)
please take this with the intetion i wrote it
i dont want to cause you hurt
salaams |
3. Written by
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, on 08-10-2008 11:13
As i am not scholar so i won't go into whats allowed whats not ... interms of music ... i agree with sister Yvnnoe article.. i alse read brother sami response ... some of thing he mentioned in there also had point regarding the tone used in article and islamic adaabs ... put if sister Yvonne used anyother tone we wouldnot have realized the importance of her message as we are in time where our hearts are dead ...now was prophet (peace be upon him) a makkan muslim??? as in Allah 's eyes we are either muslim or not muslim so there is not such a thing called british muslim pakistani muslin turkish muslim etc ... As far the concerts concern one should aviod it completely... but as far brother sami's music all his work made little kids and adults listen to somthing about deen and they leave listening to other type of music and then they start thinking of deen and later probally they don't even need to listen to anything.. Allah knows best ..... |
4. Written by
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, on 04-10-2008 02:27
lol two WAZIMS |
5. Written by
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, on 03-10-2008 23:07
Spk the truth even if its better!The article is really good...''Truth is timeless,and returning to truth is better than continuing in falsehood''Umar ibn Khattab(RA).If Nabi(SAW)had 2 b here rite nw n see wht is goin on,I dnt think it would impress him. |
6. Written by SME, on 01-10-2008 14:56
Brother Bilal has given an excellent talk on this subject, downloadable at:
http://kalemah.org/index.php/resources/multimedia/80-muslims-and-music |
7. Written by
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, on 28-09-2008 13:49
Re the shoot to kill policy of the Met Police. What is your suggested alternative if someone is about to blow up a train full of innocent people? They have to shoot them in the head. |
8. Written by
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, on 26-09-2008 08:29
Assalammualaikum..
In Islam, there is the way to get entertainment.
As long as it does not againts Islam way..
As long as it still in the way of Islam..
Islam is the way of life..
the way to get entertainment with Allah Bless
think about it musllim..
there are many good things beside all of Islam way...
Allah.. Our God.. Bless our journey..Amin |
9. Written by neo-muslim, on 26-09-2008 01:29
Sister Yvonne.
As I keep going through your website I realize whoe spot on you are \"masha\'allah\" and how Allah granted you a much better understanding of Islam than those of us who were born muslims.
Islam has alwasy given \"halal\" substitutes for every activity that human beings would like to perform: marrige instead of \"Zinah\", fair trading insted of \"Riba\", moderate controlled entertainment instead of the madness that some of our youth is falling for out of blind pure imitation to the west. And what really drives me mad, is the endorsement of some of the \"media scholars\" to those nashid-pop-stars and present them as good examples for the muslim youth...
Jazaki Allah Khairan. |
10. Written by
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, on 23-09-2008 23:18
Well said sister. |
11. Written by
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, on 19-09-2008 21:50
i agree with your views this realy shamful for muslim to be part of such events pop or so called cultural events where muslim girls speicaly from EUROPEAN origin SHOW UP freedom blessed with passport of the country...... they feel proud and do what they want helpless parent sit home and wait them back home if they want...................this is spcial gift to those parent who migrated for the better future of thier kids.......this is what they wanted...........no..........but time is gone now............fell guilt or not..................they are grwon up and have freedom to enjoy life............. |
12. Written by
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, on 12-09-2008 13:00
I m totally agree with u and i hope u will continue your mission and at least u wil see success in ur goal bc Allah is taking steps to the complection of ur goal |
13. Written by
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, on 11-09-2008 18:47
salamz sister,
Excellent article. thers a hadith where the Prophet (pbuh) aid before the end of time, people will try to legitimise music (Istihlal). in the old days girls were carzy about take that, they threw their nickers to them nowadays its sisters throwing their hijabs at Outlandish and 786! Its a pity that ur former employers ; Islam cannel haven\'t learnt. their GPU event is now based on who can do the best nasheeds and not about promoting the tru message of Islam. these das every so called islamic event or concert is nasheed orientated. The shaitaan is very clever. he knows how to deviate us from the greater good to the things which has no benefit for us in this world and the here-after.
May Allah guide us all. |
14. Written by
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, on 10-09-2008 01:46
Assalaam o Alaikum! A very good article concerning what is happening to our muslim brothers and sisters. Why do we have to imitate the west when we have the best-Islam. Its the best deen and Allah has chosen this deen for us. Why don't we find our happiness in what is lawful and halaal in Islam. True tranquility lies only in the remembrance of Allah.
May Allah guide us all to the right path. Ameen |
15. Written by
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, on 08-09-2008 14:13
zarqa , muslims are or atleast SUPPOSED to be as ONE!!! we must think about our brethren who are suffering in palastene, iraq etc. We must ask dua for 'em. But that doesn't mean we can never laugh or joke! The reason to say music(not natural sounds or the duff) is inappropriate is its consequences, by experience I can tell you that music leads you to the next step, the step that mixes you with fitna. It is the khuthuwaathus shaithaan. |
16. Written by
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, on 08-09-2008 09:48
As a muslim, it should be our belief that Islam is complete code of life and it also focus on social life.
Pop music creates false feelings for opposite sex,So it is prohibited in Islam. I agree with you. |
17. Written by
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, on 06-09-2008 08:08
At the outset I welcome you to reverting back to the original true faith, Islam. May Allah bless & empower you to remove the misconception regarding Islam. I am really impressed by what you say in your speech 2006 Global peace unity conference at London, U.K.
Jazak Allah khairan. |
18. Written by
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, on 30-08-2008 03:27
MUSIC can be divided into several catagories, even a chirp chirp of a bird is music, Muhammad S.A.W allowed only the duff. Many scholars have different opinions over music. But what I can say is that, MUSIC makes us follow the next step, which is required to soak us in fitnah. Here the aayah we must consider is 24:30, the believing men must lower their gaze and protect their modesty, If they feel these nasheeds are Islamic, let it be so, but If they wanna be superstars and have fans especially of the opposite sex who are either fantasizing about them, or thinking about them, THEN they must limit their method of approaching their fans. Also read 31:6 and the explanation. |
19. Written by zarqa, on 07-09-2008 12:37
are you saying that because people are being tortured around the world that none of us should allow ourselves to have any fun?
lighten up a little. let teenaged girls be teenaged girls.
stick with political activism like gaza instead of becoming a morality policewoman. |
20. Written by
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, on 23-08-2008 19:11
for me music is haram only when u loose control on urself..like in stage drama when girl start dancing lots of people in audions lose control on themself...otherwise music is just a noise.....
and also he raised the points of sami yousaaf..leave sami yousaf..there are others lots of people doing like it...dont forget our govt who are under control of america..not ours but others muslim countries as well so if he says that he proud to be britisher then what should once do .... and although sami yousaf\'s hummad or naats i watched only one i.e. Allah hoo Allah...its like a song ...as it is said by our Nabi that one signs of Qayamat day of judgement is that when people read naat or hammaad as songs....aar have u watched movie (Kuda k lia)....in that the movie it is said that hazarat dawaood also sings song...but at the same we dont forget what our Nabi SAW has said that dont follow the religion before islam... |
21. Written by Anonymous, on 20-08-2008 12:16
Salaam,
I have heard one or two of Sami Yousef's songs on TV and I have to say that save the words there is not the slightest difference between this and what you find in non-Muslim and secular concerts. The biggest evidence of this is that it intices immodest behavious amongst the sisters! And this is reason enought to oppose this mucis as haraam. The mannersim, the ghina and the effects, which make a certain type of music haraam, are definately visible.
I'm not against music myself; I think Islam intends to cultivate a majestic civilisation which is based on realism and as such genres like classical, meditative and spititual are only positive and as many Ulama have said are permissible. But Sami's music is nothing like this but an imitation of western culture concealed under a cloak of Islamic terminology like "Ya Allah" and "Islam" etc. |
22. Written by
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, on 09-08-2008 21:27
Assalam-o-alikum,
I read your article and i agree with it.. |
23. Written by
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, on 05-08-2008 17:45
Music has been condemned strongly in the Quraan and Hadith.
In Surah Luqmaan, Allah Taala states,
And from mankind are those that purchase futile speech in order to mislead others from the path of Allah. Under the commentary of this verse, ibn Abbaas [Radhiallaahu anhu] states, 'futile speech' refers to music and things related to it. (Durrul Manthoor vol.5 pg.307).
Nabi [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] mentions,
'There will be people from my Ummah who will seek to make lawful fornication, wearing of silk, wine and the use of musical instruments.' (Bukhaari vol.2 pg.837).
Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] states,
'A group of my Ummah will drink wine calling it by other than its real name. merry will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and by the singing of females. Allah will cleave the earth under them and turn them into apes and swines.' (Abu Dawud vol.2 pg.519)
Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] further mentions,
'Music grows hypocrisy in the heart just as water causes crops to grow.' (Bayhaqi vol.10 pg.222).
Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
www.askimam.org |
24. Written by
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, on 28-05-2008 01:36
Very profound...I too have attend Sami Yusuf concert in Los Angeles and was suprised to see and hear the screams and whooping; yes I clapped and boobed my head because the lyrics moved me, not the beat.Overall, I thought it was appropriate because we were all Muslims singing and clapping to beautiful lyrics, nothing enticing or sexual. I have two boys who was listening to the rap music and, after listening to some of the words, forbid them to listen to that degrading type of words. However, today I feel the Muslim youths are listening to lyrics they can identify with by: Native Deen, Noor, Sami Yusuf, Hamzah Robertson, Lupe , and Outlandish just to name a few. These are songs not played on mainstream radio, reason, because words like Islam, Allah,Prayer, Peace, and Oppression are not words the music industry want the youth to be aware of or to hear. But after reading this article, I\\\\\\\'m thrown aback becasue of the behavior displayed by some. The message is not being captured, it\\\\\\\'s the beat, and may the artits are not aware of this and need to become aware, and emphasize this in their lyrics. My Thoughts! May Allah give up Hydiyyah...
Peace and Love |
25. Written by
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, on 30-03-2008 06:52
although i listen to music which contains duff(some scholars are of the opinion that its allowed)....but seriously i have never hated listening to it this much ever before...EXCELLENT article!!!!!! |
26. Written by
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, on 20-01-2008 19:01
pop culture.. stardom.. celebrity worship and following.. is forbidden in Islam. unfortunately many muslims today are trying to live up to the western ideals.. however.. it is easy to forget.. all that the west claims to be ... ( as far as the good is concerned ) islam has taught us that for 1400 yrs. oh what hypocrites.. they sell alcohol then create workshops to stop them.. they sell contraceptives then try to give out classes advising against sex. basically they live in the gutter and then talk about how to be clean. |
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