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Salman Rocks Silicon Valley

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RiazHaq

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World renowned Pakistani rock singer Salman Ahmad -- the "Bono of South Asia"-- led a group of Muslim and Jewish musicians last weekend in Palo Alto, in support of Abraham's Vision and the Salman and Samina Global Wellness Initiative (SSGWI). The concert was also promoted by Pakistani-American Cultural Center (PACC) in Silicon Valley, California.

It was a high energy performance that brought the audience to their feet, with loud cheers, and ecstatic dancing to an eclectic mix of music with origins in South Asia (Saleem Ahmad on tabla) and Central and Eastern Europe (Yale Strom with fiddle, and an accordionist).

Dubbed as "Unity Jam", the concert began with Salman Ahmad and Elizabeth Schwartz singing the poetry of Punjabi Sufi Saint Baba Buellh Shah (Punjabi: بلہے شاہ, ਬੁੱਲ੍ਹੇ ਸ਼ਾਹ), and ended with the popular Jewish folk song of Hava Nagila (הבה נגילה in Hebrew), and John Lennon's "Imagine".

Baba Bulleh Shah's poetry carries the messages of romance, love and tolerance that constitute a solid foundation for any inter-faith efforts to resolve conflicts, and to bring peace and harmony to a world torn by hatred, terror and violence. For example, one of the poems chosen by Salman Ahmad for the concert goes like this:

Masjid dha de, mandir dha de, dha de jo kucch dainda
(Tear down the mosque and the temple; break everything in sight)
Par kisi da dil na dhain, Rab dilan vich rehnda..
(But do not break a person’s heart, it is there that God resides)


Haq's Musings: Salman, Bulleh Shah, Hava Nagila in Silicon Valley
 
I just bought his book

"Rock and Roll Jihad"


he's a talented artist, and also a great activist. May he see continued success Inshallah.
 
I just bought his book

"Rock and Roll Jihad"


he's a talented artist, and also a great activist. May he see continued success Inshallah.

May Allah (swt) guide you. You are mixing religion of Islam with Music. They don't go together. His music is curse to Islam and the teaching of Rasulullah (Saw), only Hindus & Jews will like his music and those Pakistani who are only Muslim by name without AQeeda.
 
May Allah (swt) guide you. You are mixing religion of Islam with Music. They don't go together. His music is curse to Islam and the teaching of Rasulullah (Saw), only Hindus & Jews will like his music and those Pakistani who are only Muslim by name without AQeeda.

With all due respect to you, Islam does not forbid music. It's a figment of the imagination of some people who understand neither music nor Islam.

Here is some info on Islam and Music:

ISSUE OF SINGING AND MUSIC IN ISLAM

Music is something unique to every culture and group of people. It defines their experiences and can provide a powerful means of bring people to Islam as seen through the works of Yusuf Islam, Dawood Warnsby Ali, MYNA tapes, Sons of the Crescent and others (all have used musical instruments and sounds in one way or the other). Allah says: "Say: who has prohibited Allah's beautiful things which He created for His servants and good provisions?" Music can be a powerful tool if used correctly. There is no doubt that music and songs about haram activities is not allowed in Islam. But before we make a judgment on singing and instruments for Islamic purposes one must look at the arguments for and against the use of Instruments.

Argument #1:

The only scholar that ever said music was permissible is Sheikh Yusuf Qardawi:

Response

There were many scholars in the past that said that music was permissible:

Shawkawni, Ibn Hazm, Ghazalli, Abú Bakr al-'Arabi, Qaradawi, and others.
Argument #2:

Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v:

Narrated Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari that he heard the Prophet saying, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection."
Response

There is a general rule in Shariah that states that everything is lawful unless proven unlawful. There is not substantial proof in this hadîths because of the following reasons:

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanuti stated: "The Hadith referred to in saying that it is haram as narrated by al Bukhari is not fulfilling the requirements of the Sahih in al Bukhari's collection. 1) Al Bukhari in Hadith al Ma'azif himself narrated the Hadith to be of a broken chain of narrators in which there is a gap between al Bukhari and the second narrator, so he drops the first narrator in his chain. That is called Mu'allaq. Some scholars tried to connect the chain through other means like whan ibn Hajar did in his dissertation (connecting what is disconnected) in which he connected the Isnad of this Hadith. But still, one of the main narrators whose name is Hisham ibn Ammar as profiled in Tahthib at-Tahthib by ibn Hajar is not reliable enough for some scholars to be a source of a narration that depends on somebody like him. 2) Even when we said the Hadith is Sahih, there are questions that would emerge when we study the version of the Hadith when it says, "People will make adultery, pure silk, liquor and Ma'azif into Halal." We know that adultery is Haram by another proof and it is a unanimous Hukum. Pure silk is not of consensus Hukum. If a Muslim says Zina is Halal deliberately, then they are considered a kafir. However, if a Muslim says pure silk is not Haram, he is not a kafir. We know that liquor is Haram as it is in the Qur'an, but where do we find an authentic hadith or Qur'an to tell us that Ma'azif are Haram other than this source. The last point is to get the clear meaning of Ma'azif in arabic dictionaries because there are more than one meaning for Ma'azif. It is acceptable for a Muslim to hear somebody says Makruh but not Haram because Haram is in need of clear-cut meaning and certain narration."

Argument #3: Some Muslims state the following about this hadith:

"The Prophet compared musical instruments to things that are definitely known to be haraam, namely zina and alcohol. If instruments were not haraam, he would not have made this comparison. The evidence of this hadeeth that singing is haram is definitive. Even if no other hadeeth or aayah spoke about musical instruments, this hadeeth would be sufficient to prove that they are haraam, especially the kind of singing and music that is known among people nowadays, the essence of which is obscenity and foul talk, based on all kinds of musical instruments such as guitars, drums, flutes, ouds, zithers, organs, pianos, violins and other things that make it more enticing, such as the voices of these effeminate singers and whores." (Article found on the internet).
Response to this argument:

However, these same people state that singing and the use of daff during weddings is ok because of the following hadîth in Bukhari

Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v:

The Two Festivals (Eids) - Narrated Aisha: Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, "Musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah's Apostle !" It happened on the 'Id day and Allah's Apostle said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an 'Id for every nation and this is our 'Id."

There is no forbidden action that is permitted merely for pleasure and enjoyment only at certain times. The hadîth that is quoted above mentions things that are definitely known to be haraam, namely zina and alcohol. Even silk which the Prophet wore himself for a short period before violently taking it off (see hadîths Volume 1, Book 8, Number 372) the prophet did not allow it on the Eids:

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 289: Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) - Narrated Ibn 'Umar - 'Umar saw a silken cloak being sold in the market and he brought it toAllah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Buy this cloak and adorn yourself with it on the 'Id festivals and on meeting the delegations." Allah's Apostle replied, "This is the dress for the one who will have no share in the Hereafter (or, this is worn by one who will have no share in the Hereafter)."

From this argument we should understand the hadîth meaning that being involved in wearing silk, fornication, wine drinking and musical instruments is haram. We can see that there are many Muslims today who are involved in all four of these aspects at once.

Imam Ghazali said in Ihya Ulum Al-Din--The Revival Of The Religious Sciences: "The musical instruments and songs which are typically associated with drunkards are prohibited as they remind of prohibited things and promote the prohibited, such as the consumption of wine and other intoxicants. These prohibited instruments include the Majamir, the Autar and the Kubah, but not the Daf, the flute and other musical instruments."
Argument #4:

All of the schools of thought including Maliki, Shafii, Hanbali and Hanafi say that music is Haram
Response:

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanuti stated:

"The majority of schools say music is haram, but there are some other reliable schools that say it is halal."

We must look at the evidence provided by all scholars and then take into consideration what the music is being used for. In this age, the music industry is powerful and it leads astray many youth who are addicted to this music. As Muslims we must provide Islamic alternatives for them in order to guide them back to Islam.
Argument #5:

All other Ahadeeth recorded refer to musical instruments negatively.
Response:

In Bukhari, another hadith relates a connection between musical instruments and the family of David (saw). This is evidence that, indeed, the Psalms were musical in nature:

Bukhari Volume 6, Book 61, Number 568:
"Narrated Abu Musa that the Prophet said to him' "O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the musical wind-instruments of the family of David.'"

The following hadith relates of how the adhan (call to prayer) came to be, and how the Prophet's companions suggested the use of musical instruments such as the horn or bell like the People of the Book. Now although the Prophet ultimately approved the use of the human voice, there is no mention that the Prophet chastised his companions for suggesting musical instruments for the adhan. And if the Prophet was so very much against musical instruments, then why would his companions dare to suggest the use of such sinful things in the call to prayer?

From Muslim Book 004, Number 0735:
Ibn Umar reported: When the Muslims came to Medina, they gathered and sought to know the time of prayer but no one summoned them. One day they discussed the matter, and some of them said: Use something like the bell of the Christians and some of them said: Use horn like that of the Jews. Umar said: Why may not a be appointed who should call (people) to prayer? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: O Bilal, get up and summon (the people) to prayer.
Conclusion:

As Muslims we must understand the environment that our youth live in. Our duty is to bring Islam to them and instill the love of Allah in their hearts. We must combat the negative forces in the society with positive alternatives rather than harsh rules that are not agreed upon by all scholars. Music and singing has been used successfully for over a decade in this country as a means to bring the youth to have stronger faith in their religion. We should encourage this development to the best of our abilities.

Issue of Singing and Music
 
May Allah (swt) guide you. You are mixing religion of Islam with Music. They don't go together. His music is curse to Islam and the teaching of Rasulullah (Saw), only Hindus & Jews will like his music and those Pakistani who are only Muslim by name without AQeeda.
I'm not a wahhaby. In the end, only God can judge. But thanks for your insightful "analysis"
 
Music with instruments is not liked by Muhammad (S.A.W). Is that not Enough ?

where is your proof?


by the way, I don't subscribe to Wahhaby-ist ideals. You're talking the wrong guy, buddy.
 
where is your proof?


by the way, I don't subscribe to Wahhaby-ist ideals. You're talking the wrong guy, buddy.

Evidence of prohibition in the Qur’aan and Sunnah:

“And among the people is the one who buys idle talk in order to lead (people) astray from the path of Allah without knowledge, holding it in mockery; for such there will be a humiliating punishment. [Luqmaan 31:6]”. (Commentators of the Holy Quran have also included music in 'idle talk.')
Idle talk in Arabic - اللغو,كلام فارغ

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Among my ummah there will certainly be people who permit zinaa, silk, alcohol and musical instruments…” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari ta’leeqan, no. 5590; narrated as mawsool by al-Tabaraani and al-Bayhaqi. See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah by al-Albaani, 91).


We are all Muslims , believe on Quran and Hadith so no wahabby no other ...
 
Well we are all Muslims (Alhamdolillah), save for the Pakistani minority groups who are not --though they are as much Pakistani as you and I.

In the end, it appears we obviously have non-aligned lifestyles and different interpretations. Let's agree to disagree.


To me, music; art; poetry; dance ---these are all part of culture. Islam unites people and is a way of life. Culture is more exlusive and region-specific. You ignore culture, then you ignore life.

Salman bhai has done great things for Pakistan. I don't judge a brother or sister based on faith. I judge them based on accomplishments, work ethic, values, drive, and respect (self and outer).
 
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Well we are all Muslims (Alhamdolillah), save for the Pakistani minority groups who are not --thought they are as much Pakistani as you and I.

In the end, it appears we obviously have non-aligned lifestyles and different interpretations. Let's agree to disagree.


To me, music; art; poetry; dance ---these are all part of culture. Islam unites people and is a way of life. Culture is more exlusive and region-specific. You ignore culture, then you ignore life.

Salman bhai has done great things for Pakistan. I don't judge a brother or sister based on faith. I judge them based on accomplishments, work ethic, values, drive, and respect (self and outer).


Wonderful thoughts buddy...I havent heard Salman's songs but looks like he is a great guy..Can you name some of his songs so that i can search them on Youtube
 
where is your proof?


by the way, I don't subscribe to Wahhaby-ist ideals. You're talking the wrong guy, buddy.

Obviously you know about Islam more then the companions (Shabahs) of Rasulullah (s.a.w). Rasulullah (s.a.w) taught his companions Quran and Sunnah. If you are following anything other then Quran and Sunnah then there is no point of discussing it with you.
There is no historical reference of Rasulullah (s.a.w) or Companions (r.a) listening to Music.

As far as "Wahabism" is concerned, it is loosely used by Shia. Barevlis and from last 10 years I see CNN and other media outlet picked up this word.
There is no Islamic sect that call themselves Wahabi. There are those who call themselves Salafi or Ahle-hadith. No one in Saudi Arabia practice Wahabism, Saudi follow Hanbali madhab, other Arabs states, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Oman follow Shafi and Hanbali madhab. You many find follower of all 4 madhab in Syrian, Jordan and Egypt.
Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania follow mainly Maliki madhab.

Now a day Saudi Islamic institutes are teaching all the madhab including Hanafi madhab but still no Innovative belief of Sufism and Bravelism.
 
Well we are all Muslims (Alhamdolillah), save for the Pakistani minority groups who are not --thought they are as much Pakistani as you and I.

MashALLAH we are Muslim and Pakistani, We respect minorities they are equal pakistanis.

In the end, it appears we obviously have non-aligned lifestyles and different interpretations. Let's agree to disagree.


To me, music; art; poetry; dance ---these are all part of culture. Islam unites people and is a way of life. Culture is more exlusive and region-specific. You ignore culture, then you ignore life.

To me music and dance is separate from Art & Poetry. I think Music & Dance are not part of Islamic culture.

Islamic culture is the “complete way of life” set forth in the Qur’an and Sunnah. On the other opposing end is the Western culture. Both cultures present a “complete way of life.” However, both ways of life differ drastically.
Brother, If Quran and Sunnah say no to Music & Dance then it means our culture say no to these too.

Salman bhai has done great things for Pakistan. I don't judge a brother or sister based on faith. I judge them based on accomplishments, work ethic, values, drive, and respect (self and outer).

May be Sulaman bahi done great thing for Pakistan, by Going out of Islamic Culture.

I judge a brother & Sister on the basis of Culture he carry & how Much practical & confident he/she is in culture he/she own.

Sorry to disagree,
 
this is him performing Pakistan National anthem on guitar, at United Nations General Assembly NYC -2009. This was during a charity concert in which proceeds were relayed to the IDPs of Swat.



Alvida (song dedicated to AIDS awareness)



Sayonee (this was made when Junoon was a group and he was part of it)




many others out there....just go youtube or vidpk.com
 
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Obviously you know about Islam more then the companions (Shabahs) of Rasulullah (s.a.w). Rasulullah (s.a.w) taught his companions Quran and Sunnah. If you are following anything other then Quran and Sunnah then there is no point of discussing it with you.
There is no historical reference of Rasulullah (s.a.w) or Companions (r.a) listening to Music.

As far as "Wahabism" is concerned, it is loosely used by Shia. Barevlis and from last 10 years I see CNN and other media outlet picked up this word.
There is no Islamic sect that call themselves Wahabi. There are those who call themselves Salafi or Ahle-hadith. No one in Saudi Arabia practice Wahabism, Saudi follow Hanbali madhab, other Arabs states, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Oman follow Shafi and Hanbali madhab. You many find follower of all 4 madhab in Syrian, Jordan and Egypt.
Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania follow mainly Maliki madhab.

Now a day Saudi Islamic institutes are teaching all the madhab including Hanafi madhab but still no Innovative belief of Sufism and Bravelism.


i dont see Wahhabism as a sect of Islam. It's a relatively recent phenonmenon --more to do with cultural matters and very strict interpretation.

I don't really buy into this "sect/madhab" business. To me, Islam is Islam. Muslim is Muslim. Khalas!
 
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