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Friday, June 26, 2009

"Every Soul Shall Taste Death"


Michael Jackson - who HASN'T heard of him? A pop sensation, a man of endless money and fame, die-heart fans, a human being. One who will soon be placed into the earth and slowly devoured by worms and maggots.

All over the news you hear anchors asking, "Why?" Now what kind of question is that?? Why not? He's a human being, just like everyone else. And if you ask me I think it was pretty obvious how sickly and fragile the man was.

While everyone is completely shocked and mourning his death, I wonder what all the hype is about. Here's a man, who was in his 50's and died of a natural cause. Why aren't we more moved, upset, and effected by those who innocently die and suffer at the hands of disgusting and cold hearted people? What's more surprising? Why is dying because of cardiac arrest at 50 more shocking than the children who witness their parents being slaughtered in front if them? Why is that more shocking than the pigs who rape women? How is a natural death more shocking than all the atrocities mankind endows upon other people?

Sure, it's a reminder than no matter who you are, what you have, or how recognized you are, your health and body can "turn on you" in the split of a second. But isn't that something we already know? This is a natural process. The murdering, raping and dehumanizing of other people is not, and should be recognized and mourned more than anything else. Almost all coverage of Iran has ceased for Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

Anyway, I don't say this to be in any way disrespectful to him or his family, just hoping people would recognize that life goes on. MJ is gone but the world is still a mess. He left behind his kids, his property, his music, his fans, and no one or nothing is in that coffin with him protecting him for what Allah may have in store. All I can hope is that a couple months ago when it was reported that he took his shahadah that he truly was a Muslim in his heart. I hope that inshaAllah he said his shahada. And I wish the best for his kids who are now without their loving father.

Hey, and don't get too giddy with all the MJ songs playing on the radio and on TV haha

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know!!! So many Muslims I know are so sad and crying! I am like what is wrong with you? He is just a person why are you idolizing him. I understand it is shocking because he was so known but other than that what else is there?? There are much much more sad ways people die to look at.

Empress Anisa said...

yes, he was an entertainer... and for most of us, a good part of our lives growing (I remember waiting for MTV to premiere his "Billy Jean" video)but people tend to get a little crazy....

Great proformer but Allah (SWT) decreed to his time to be up.... and we all shall follow this way- death is one thing we are certain of.

Just another reminder for us to sincerely pray, treat our brothers and sisters right, do charity, and beg Allah for his Mercy as we never know when it'll be our turn to answer the call....

Empress Anisa said...

proformer.... lol- performer

Sarah said...

YAWN!! life goes on & their are more important matters. the media obviously wants to focus on these 2 'idols'. Does n e one else find it disturbing how the word 'idol' is used more these days?

ModestJustice said...

Inna illahi wa inna illahi rajoon

You guys, I know that maybe crying out 'WHY' is wrong, but he was also a fellow human being.

I think it's okay to be sad that he's dead. I mean I know I was shocked that he died. It's a big reminder that death can happen to anyone at any moment but it's not wrong to mourn a person.

I don't think the death of anyone is 'less important' because death is death, the way someone dies shouldn't be analyzed to determine its 'importance'

So R.I.P Michael Jackson, may Allah swt have mercy on your soul and all of ours.

Unknown said...

I agree with you. Just because a person achieves a certain popularity, why does their life and death become more important than all the rest of humanity? The media is just looking for "news" or else they'd be out of work. lol

Majda said...

I do agree that the question "Why?" is wrong because he's human. But in all honesty, I can fully understand why so many people are shocked/sad.

He was a HUGE inspiration and hero for soooo many people in the music industry. He really did influence music a lot. I think I should also mention that the vast majority of us pretty much grew up with him.

I don't agree with how people idolize and worship him but I think it's perfectly fine for people to be sad for him.

Hasan said...

Inspiration? What a load of crock! All he did was gyrate like a lunatic on stage and sing sappy songs. What about the beautiful poetry of the Arabs that reflected on issues that really did matter. Music of this era is flat and disgusting. In retrospect out of his fans who follow the less accepted view that music is permissible, I can see why it's somewhat sad, but he also was just a man with many troubles. If anything I feel sorry for him, truly. He lived alone and he died alone.

Umm Bilaal said...

I understand the contribution he's made even though I don't accept what he's contributed to. Like Lazeena told me when we talked about this breifly, for us both when we heard it it was like, our jaw dropped and it took a few minutes to get over the shock. But we both said that is how we really are with anyones death. I know he has touched lives in many ways, but there's a limit to mourning for someone. I feel for the children mainly like Lazeena said to me, I did not know his kids were with him and he had full custody and it will be very tough on them

Majda said...

Hasan: Believe it or not, Arabs aren't the only ones who make enjoyable or meaningful music. Get your mind out of a box? You might dislike his music but it doesn't change the fact that he was a huge contributor to music over the past 30 something years.

As for me personally, I was shocked that he died but I did carry on my day as normal. I do feel a bit bad for him. It seems that the last few years of his life seemed especially difficult.

Stephanie said...

Salam Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu sister,
Yes, as Musims we should remember and be reminded that Allah swt can take us at anytime and live our lives and follow our deen accordingly. However, conceptualizing this fact and being reminded of in a tangible sense are two different things. I personally think it is a mercy from Allah that we are spared the sight of the constant death that takes place in nature around us as the human psyche can be very frail. Likewise, people that are exposed to too much death are often left traumatized psychologically.
As far as MJ is concerned many people, especially in their 30's grew up with his persona and music. I myself have many memories of listening to his music as a youngster. The debate over music is a moot point in this respect as I wasn't raised Muslim. Maybe that's why so many people are upset, because it's like a piece of their childhood has died and we are left to face our own mortality. Many emotions come with death, including sadness, but also renewal.
As for the innocent Muslim blood that has and is continuing to be spilt, I think many Muslims are very much aware of this and continue to cry and make dua for those souls. However, it usually takes some big event such as Gaza, etc, for people to be openly outspoken and mournful over the loss of life. As I said, in general, you cannot go about your life continually pondering death and destruction. It just isn't healthy.
On a side note and slightly off topic, Muslims themselves are very selective in who they choose to mourn. Case in point, the outrage over the continual occupation and murder of Palestinians. This compared to the many, many more Muslims who have died in Darfur and other places, yet recieve far less attention amongst the ordinary Muslim and in the Islamic media.
Anyway, thank you for letting me ramble, and May Allah show his mercy to the Muslims and all of His creation. Amin.

nida said...

Just before I heard the news on BBC, of his probable death (it wasn't even confirmed at that specific time), I was watching that YouTube video of Neda (the Iranian girl) getting shot and bleeding to death. How her eyes gazed -- as if they had recognized something coming for her - the angel of Death. Then she closed them forever and became senseless, motionless, and died within a few seconds, as the blood came gushing through her mouth and nose.

Just after I finished watching this, it was finally reported that MJ had passed away too! It wasn't shocking at all. Just like that ordinary girl died, so did this popular 'king of pop'. Just like we are going to die one day as well.

Jazak Allah Khair for the post dear sis, inshaAllah people will stop being frantic about this situation and take a lesson from it. We don't have all the time in the world, so we better start working hard to prepare for that moment we meet the angel of Death ourselves!

Anonymous said...

Assalaam Alaikum
You know as I read many of the bloggs in the "Muslimah" bloggasphere, I am starting to see that you know there are a lot of on your high horse haters. From President Obama to now Michael Jackson. Why can't you say RIP and may Allah have mercy on your soul. If you can not see why the world is yes shocked!!! He was one of the best entertainers of our time. Whether you listen to music or not. I agree with the previous statement that many of us are shocked simply because he is someone we grew up with. and it is as if part of your childhood just died. And when I think about how Allah has planned our life from start to finish you have to remember that the life Michael Jackson had was ordained by Allah from start to finish. He made him a superstar and blessed him with that talent. Yes along with Michael Jackson millions others also died, but we don't know them. All we can say is to Allah we belong and to Allah we will return. Just say rest in peace and keep it moving.

Umm Omar said...

Very touching post, sister.

Lazeena Umm Yusuf said...

As someone mentioned, I do understand he was an entertainer incomparable with others of his time. I recognize his accomplishments and contributions despite being someone who doesn't believe in the permissibility of music. Like others also said, when I was younger and growing up his songs were also on the radio and TV and still to this day buzz around in my head from time to time. In no way do I belittle him as a person, a working man, a father, a brother, a son, a friend, and a contributor to society. Rather if you read my post, I feel more negatively towards the people who turn him into an idol, who put him onto this high platform as if his death is more important than the death of other people and like if death could not touch him. Human life is human life. For people to be angry and say he was too young to die just doesn't make sense. No one is promised to die in old age peacefully in their bed. If his life was taken by a bullet, if he was assassinated or part of a twisted plot to have his life taken that indeed would be very sad. But when someone dies naturally from health purposes, there's no one "to blame" or reason to be too taken aback by. This is the process of life, eventually it comes to an end. People are already starting Tupac like theories with MJ, that he's not really dead... like come on now haha. Like Umm Bilaal said, when I first heard on the radio he died my jaw dropped and I immediately was like wow, someone people view as the untouchable has died like everyone else, and nothing spared or done differently because he was a man of fame. In the end, I truly do feel sorry for MJ, as much as he owned, he really had so little subhanAllah.

And Malek, I hope your comment was intended for someone else, because if you even read my post right I DID say that I hope inshaAllah Allah is Merciful to him, as for anyone else, in his afterlife and also most importantly that his kids are well taken care of; as they're young and probably in one of the worst situations to have to experience the loss of their parent and primary caretaker.

Anonymous said...

ASA Lazeena
My comments are not specifically addressed to you. Its just a constant theme I see on many bloggs. About all sorts of subjects. People love to find the negative and keep complaining rather than give solutions. Now in the case of Michael Jackson, why should you feel sorry for him? And do you think it is fair to say that "as much as he owned, he really had so little" We do not know what he valued and treasured in his life. If the health and well being of his family was important to him then maybe he was blessed. We are outsiders looking in. We see what the media puts out there. And as for Tupac theories, that is just plain crazy and you know the media is just looking for a story. We do see people idolizing him, but I believe no matter what religion people who idolize things or people have an issue with in themselves. That could be a whole other blog topic. And I think the majority of people are saddened because he was young and with no real or known health problems but I think for the vast majority of people I think his death renews people resolve to "get right" with Allah(GOD) to live a better life. As one person wrote on my facebook "Allah says, every soul will taste death. Life is short and sweet. Always be mindful of Allah and guard your prayer.." Similar to your blog post but what stood out to me was the latter of her statement, to be mindful and guard your prayer. Yea over the next couple of days your gonna see the crazy people out there tryin to get a piece of MJ. but that is such a small percentage of people. Most people are saddened but not over the top.
Well for me all I can say is that yes I am saddened by his death may Allah grant him Jannah, but I also hugged my children a little tighter and made my Fajr prayer on time.

~Shantelle said...

Hi friend! I just came across your blog and your entry about MJ was insightful to me and I have to say I agree. I am not a Muslim and I do not really know the views on death and it's importance. But I have to say that I disagree with some people about how big people are making this. I have friends who have taken days off from work to travel to CA, leaving their children with JUST HIRED babysitters just to stand vigil for him. Now I love MJ so much, I went to a number of his concerts and always enjoyed his music. In the 90's during his decline it was very sad for me to see someone like him so lonely and sick looking, I really felt bad for him. You are correct when you say that he owned so much but really had so little, he always says in his interviews how easy it was to tune out the media but just by seeing him you can see it really effected his health. There is no doubt in my mind that the media's disgusting coverage of him helped speed up his deterioration. He always confided in people just how lonely he was.

It really upsets me how they've done this to him. While he was alive they continued to say so many negative and sad things about him and after he's gone, now his videos are all over TV and his songs are blaring on the radio. Is this how we show people love? We commemorate after their death and when they're alive we don't show them any gratefulness or love. MJ had virtually no friends, he couldn't trust people at all. Imagine how lonesome it would be for him without his kids! His stolen childhood from his father really effected him severely as you can see with Neverland and how MJ was as a man. It seemed the older he got, the younger his mind got. I wish we remember MJ like we are now when he was alive. Now that he's passed on people are so down in the dumps about it when they didn't remember him for weeks I am sure. My friend made herself so sick with crying last night she had to be taken to the ER by her husband. I wonder if he died if she would mourn like that for him? Lol. Just everyone, take it easy and make a prayer in your heart for him, and like you mentioned, his adorable children. They lived with him and without their moms so it will be tough without daddy around and I hope the kids stay with MJ's family if someone is willing to take them because they would give him the love MJ gave to them.

Peace and love
~Shantelle

Umm Bilaal said...

Shantelle - I never recognized that before how after a celebrity dies they focus on all the good and recognize them so much. It's true it's better done when they're alive, when they're gone it's too late. I too have some friends who dropped everything and went to L.A. For what? What can be done now. What is remembering him there and remembering here any different? That is what is upsetting to me. The drastic decisions people make because of a man's death. Like Lazeena said, it's not belittling him, but rather the ones who make him up to be a God!!!!!

Anonymous said...

As salam alaykum!

I was also sad to hear Michael Jackson had passed away, but I was also happy to know that he died as a muslim.

Rest in peace!

Mehmudah said...

did he really die a muslim? wow! nice post though, well written too

Nihal Khan said...

It seems people get more emotional talking about his death than the death of Rasulullah (SAW).

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

as salaamu alayki ukthi,

I agree with you totally, and also Allaah knows best if he died as a Muslim, because there was no proof of Michael saying himself he accepted Islam,his brother Jermaine, and Allaah knows best of his Islam because he is with the NOI, FOI group, said he was talking to him about Islam, & then gossip cloumns posted he took shahaadah. But some people say this as if it validates their Islam because "MJ was Muslim" ma shaa Allaah inna lilahi wa inna lilayhi wa rajiroon.

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