AL-HUDA
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... i/67
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4 - Article 5 - Article 6 - Article 7 - Article 8 - Article 9 - Article 10 - Article 11 - Article 12
where culture itself is degraded, and
vulgarity is enthroned. Much of the music that much
of the world listens to is narcissistic,
misogynistic, and mired in messages of gratuitous
violence. It has been this way for decades, with
artists of every stripe always looking to see how
much further they can "push the limits" (of
decency)..."
I Love Good Music--El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan by El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan
..... I
love good music. I come down on the side of those
scholars who determine its worth (halal or
haram; permissible or forbidden) based upon
its content. Music is part of a universal, creative
language that has the power to touch the emotions -
and either elevate or degrade human consciousness.
I love good music.
On this
note, before getting into the primary purpose for
this particular message, I want to pay tribute to a
great talent who just passed away at the young age
of 40; and convey my heartfelt condolences to his
family. The deceased artist is Gerald Levert
- the son of Eddie Levert, an original member of one
of the most respected groups in the music industry,
"The Ojays."
I learned
about Gerald's death while passing through
Philadelphia on my way home from New Jersey
yesterday. I was scanning the dial when I heard one
of his soul stirring songs being played over WDAS-FM.
After the song went off I learned of his passing (of
an apparent heart attack), as the station proceeded
to conduct an hours long tribute to his legacy;
and what a tribute it was. Nationally and
internationally known artists (i.e.,
singers, producers, and song writers) came by the
station (or called by telephone) to share their
personal memories of this talented young artist with
a BIG heart. Multitudes of fans called into the
station to testify about how Gerald, or his music,
had touched them in very personal ways.
I didn't
know Gerald Levert personally, but I knew people who
knew him. One mutual friend is Br. Luqman, aka Kenny
Gamble, co-founder of the legendary recording
company known as "Philadelphia International."
Luqman had some very warm and memorable things to
say about Gerald and his father (Eddie). Indeed,
from all that was said about Gerald by the many
different people who stopped by the station (or
called in) to give testimony, he was a man and
artist that touched millions of people in a very,
very special way. May Allah (Almighty God) reward
him for it.
Now, for the
primary reason for this missive. It has come to my
attention (though I am not surprised) that
Muslim Spoken Word and Hip Hop artists -
who have the consciousness and courage to "speak
truth to power" through the medium of their music -
have begun to receive special attention from
"intelligence agencies" headquartered in the West.
(see the article below)
The global
music industry - led by America - comprises a
gargantuan cesspool of cultural filth; where culture
itself is degraded, and vulgarity is enthroned. Much
of the music that much of the world listens to is
narcissistic, misogynistic, and mired in messages of
gratuitous violence. It has been this way for
decades, with artists of every stripe always looking
to see how much further they can "push the limits"
(of decency). But now we are told that "intelligence
agencies" have taken aim at young Muslim artists
in the west (particularly America and Britain) who
are viewed as bearing "jihadi" messages!
It is my
earnest prayer that overwhelming numbers of
concerned folk within (and outside) the Muslim
community - irrespective of what our (or our
"Sheikhs") individual position on music happens to
be - will defend the rights of these young brothers
AND SISTERS to express themselves through the medium
that The Almighty has blessed them with!
To the
young Muslim artists, I simply say this: One of the
greatest socially-committed artists of the twentieth
century, the extraordinary Paul Robeson,
once said, "Each artist must elect to use his
(or her) art to either fight for freedom, or to
fight for slavery." This is the choice that
every artist must make; for the God-fearing, the
stakes and standards are indeed high.
Use your
power wisely brothers and sisters (always
with a sense of accountability to Allah); and always
strive for balance as you endeavor to do what every
conscientious Muslim must endeavor to do - speak
truth to power, to the best of our ability. May
Allah strengthen and protect all who follow this
way. Ameen.
Courtesy: El-Hajj Mauri'
Saalakhan. He is Director of Operations, The Peace
And Justice Foundation, Silver Spring, Maryland
|
HOME - NEWSLETTERS - BOOKS - ARTICLES - CONTACT - FEEDBACK - UP
DISCLAIMER:
All material published by Al-Huda.com / And the Message Continues is the sole responsibility of its author's).
The opinions and/or assertions contained therein do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this site,
nor of Al-Huda and its officers.