MICHAEL JACKSON . . . The Soundtrack of My Childhood

Thriller, Beat it, Billie Jean, Black or White, Rock With You, Human Nature, The Girl is Mine . . . Need I say more? I googled "Michael Jackson" and 68 million websites popped up- 68 MILLION! I don't "worship" MJ, or even idolize him, but his impact on the history of the world cannot be ignored!

On rainy days, the NTA's used to play Michael Jackson Videos for all the students at my elementary school. I remember being in the second grade and hearing accusations of MJ molesting that young boy in 1992. At seven years old, I was simply disgusted with the accusation and vehemently defended Mr. Jackson; my conviction wasn't based on evidence or testimony, just on the simple known fact that HE WAS THE MAN. His dance skills superseded all others. His songs were catchy yet thoughtful; poppy yet R&B, smooth yet upbeat. There were songs for partying: Rock With You. Songs for love-making: You Are Not Alone. Songs for getting into mischief: Smooth Criminal or BAD. And songs for World Peace: Heal the World. There was a song for everyone and every occasion.

As I watch CNN at 3:04 am Friday, 12 hours after the death of the King of Pop, they are talking so much about the upcoming autopsy and the cause of his death. I would like to dedicate this blog not to Michael Jackson's death, but to his life. A life that has impacted millions of other lives. Not a God, but a man, with flaws, shortcomings and talent unmatched. Michael Jackson took his shahada several months back, therefore he is also my brother in Islam- May Allah grant you paradise, Michael.

My favorite Michael Jackson song? Man in the Mirror. We could all learn something from Man in The Mirror.

-Judge Not!

A Family That Prays Together . . . Stays Together

This old Christian saying is all too applicable to the Muslim Ummah. After all, we are a family, and in a family there exists a variety of dynamic personalities. In America, Muslims are literally from opposite ends of the earth, sometimes making it awkward or even controversial to come together.

Ash hadu an la ilaha illalah wa ash hadu ana Muhammadur rasulullah.
There is no G_d but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

This statement is our commonplace; it is our best trait; it is what we live by. We must ask Allah to strengthen and optimize our relationships with our Muslim brothers and sisters. I could say this a million times until I’m blue in the face, but it won’t help if I do not take the first step towards changing my ways. It is all too easy at times to choose one’s culture over one’s religion because a large part of who we are stems from our lineage and the environment in which we were raised. But when we are deep in our graves, we will not be asked from what country we hail, but we will be asked who is our G_d and what is our religion. Having pleasure in enjoying one’s culture and people is great and will probably make you a more confident individual. As Muslims we have to know the difference between being comfortable in our own skin and secluding ourselves to the point where we have become prejudice and close minded to other Muslims- our brothers and sisters.

Everyone knows the famous hadith, “Seek knowledge, even if you have to go to China.” Well, I’ve got great news: there is volumes of knowledge right beneath your noses: in the wisdom and good tidings of your fellow Muslims. It is amazing the knowledge we can absorb by listening to a sister that has traveled the world; or a brother who converted to Islam in prison and has a special love for the deen because it literally saved his life; or the Muslim that grew up being “culturally Muslim” overseas but didn’t really start practicing until arriving on American soil. We have so much to offer each other.

The first thing we can do is ask Allah to forgive us for our prejudices and our pride. The second thing we can do is step our game up a notch. By that I mean if you always make salat at the same masjid, go to jummah or a class at another masjid. If you always have the same people over for dinner and talk about the same things, have someone different over. If you feel as though you are not ready to dive in head first into the Muslim melting pot, read biographies/autobiographies about Muslims from different walks of life. I guarantee it will broaden your horizons! We may not agree on which moon sighting to follow to end our fast, or how covered is covered enough for Muslimahs, but we all agree on one thing: Ash hadu an la illaha illalah wa ash hadu anna Muhammadur rasulullah. So we need to remember everything else is water under the bridge. -

Allah knows best!

Judge Not!