"Islam is spacious and has room for relaxation. I have been sent with an easy and straightforward faith."
- The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh) -
[Fiqh-us-Sunnah 2:153]
[Fiqh-us-Sunnah 2:153]
A viral YouTube video showing British Muslims of all ages and ethnic backgrounds bobbing up and down and jamming to Pharrell's hit song "Happy" has caused quite an uproar within the global Muslim community. There have been praises and numerous remakes of the video around the world, as well as backlash and criticisms that are about as repetitive as the chorus of the song itself. It is important for me to say that I am biased. We all are, of course. Our views on a song or video or film are just that: Our views. Because of my own passion for music as a hobby and art form, I am therefore biased in thinking there is nothing wrong with this current rendition of "Happy." (If you're curious about the British version of the video, check it out here.)
But aside from my musical background, I wonder why anyone would lose sleep over a project that appears to be so harmless, and dare I say, positive, in nature. Muslims follow the Qur'an, our sacred text and the Word of God, and the Sunnah, the life example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Because there are some reports that the Prophet (pbuh) disapproved of musical instruments beyond percussion, many Muslims among the scholarly and lay communities believe most forms of music are prohibited in Islam. There are also numerous scholars and laypeople who believe that music is permissible as long as it is appropriate and does not denigrate women or promote promiscuity, drug use, and the likes. Additionally, some feel that Muslims should not dance publicly, especially when gender mixing is involved. There are no verses in the Qur'an that deal specifically with music, so much of the debate is over the Sunnah and the context of these reports.
Do people have the right to refrain from listening to music and to believe that one should not dance or play instruments? Certainly. I have always been a follower of the agree-to-disagree philosophy. But many of the comments and critiques I have read go beyond the debate over musical instruments and discuss how "inappropriate" and "disgraceful" the video is. Keep in mind that we are not talking about a bunch of Muslims bumping and grinding to a Lil Wayne tune filled with crudeness and profanity; we are talking about people (including children and older adults) smiling, laughing, and tapping their feet to a song that promotes happiness and self-confidence and was created for a children's animated film.
For me, this uproar brings to the forefront many themes that leave me feeling discouraged as I continue my journey as a Muslim convert. More often than not, I see a kind of harshness and rigidity plaguing our community. The unhappiness with "Happy" is part of an overall trend that encompasses criticism, judgment, and narrow-mindedness. Perhaps it is not discontent that plagues us, so much as disconnect... from God, from ourselves, from the authenticity of spiritual journeys. Are we so stuck moving in compulsive, robotic motions that we cannot engage in (respectful) intellectual discussions or take into consideration individual intention and historical context?
But aside from my musical background, I wonder why anyone would lose sleep over a project that appears to be so harmless, and dare I say, positive, in nature. Muslims follow the Qur'an, our sacred text and the Word of God, and the Sunnah, the life example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Because there are some reports that the Prophet (pbuh) disapproved of musical instruments beyond percussion, many Muslims among the scholarly and lay communities believe most forms of music are prohibited in Islam. There are also numerous scholars and laypeople who believe that music is permissible as long as it is appropriate and does not denigrate women or promote promiscuity, drug use, and the likes. Additionally, some feel that Muslims should not dance publicly, especially when gender mixing is involved. There are no verses in the Qur'an that deal specifically with music, so much of the debate is over the Sunnah and the context of these reports.
Do people have the right to refrain from listening to music and to believe that one should not dance or play instruments? Certainly. I have always been a follower of the agree-to-disagree philosophy. But many of the comments and critiques I have read go beyond the debate over musical instruments and discuss how "inappropriate" and "disgraceful" the video is. Keep in mind that we are not talking about a bunch of Muslims bumping and grinding to a Lil Wayne tune filled with crudeness and profanity; we are talking about people (including children and older adults) smiling, laughing, and tapping their feet to a song that promotes happiness and self-confidence and was created for a children's animated film.
"They are the losers, those who make the religion hard and tough. They imperil themselves, who enforce tough practices of Islam. They destroy themselves, those who are extreme."
- The Prophet (pbuh) -
[Muslim]
Have
we forgotten about the
flexibility and the numerous interpretations within our deen (way of life)? Have we forgotten about cultural diversity and the accessibility of Islam across space and time? Have we forgotten about mercy and kindness of words? Have we forgotten that God, not us, is the Judge of hearts and souls and the Most Gracious, Most Merciful?
"Be kind, for whenever kindness becomes part of something, it beautifies it. Whenever it is taken from something, it leaves it tarnished."
- The Prophet (pbuh) -
[Bukhari]
When I see more enthusiastic dialogue erupt over music or the plucking of eyebrows than issues of oppression and social justice (i.e. domestic violence), character development, and one's relationship with God, I feel that the moment is ripe for a reassessment of priorities. I am quite tired of the Us vs. Them mentality that creates divisions among Muslims and between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. The argument that Muslims are "conforming" to "Western" ways, adopting their music and their modes of self-expression, is ludicrous in my eyes. Islam is not a monolithic tradition, and as someone who is both Muslim and "Western" in ethnic and cultural background, I find claims of conformity to be artificial, unproductive, and a tad bit insulting.
"So we have to act like them in
order to receive their approval? This singing, dancing and lack of
respect for the hijab and how it is to be worn is very sad. None of this
is from islaam [Islam], islaam [Islam] is free from this stupidity."
(An example comment from YouTube)
"In order to counter the propaganda against the Deen, you don't have to
dance to their tune (pun intended)! Totally shameful and appalling."
(Example comment #2)
"Wow FEAR ALLAH! You lot are acting like kufr! This is a big sign! This is Haram.... Astagfirullah you idiots..."
(Example comment #3 - Note that kufr is used here to refer to disbelievers, and astagfirullah is used to seek forgiveness from God)
When I studied and embraced Islam, I felt it was a liberating experience. The practices were infused with emotional and spiritual meaning, and the theological, as well as legal, concepts seemed very logical and rational. But I find the rigidity restrictive and imprisoning, when processes of self-expression and self-exploration are smacked with haram (forbidden) labels and one's status as a Muslim is suddenly called into question. The negative impact has reached me, and I fear it may be contagious, an epidemic seeping through the cracks of the masajid (mosques)... creeping into our homes... leaving our hearts infected.
And then what will remain?
