From Pop Music to Ethereal Melodies...

Salam alaikum!

I was delighted to receive a forwarded email today about Junaid Jamshed, ex-musician and pop star of Pakistan. For those of you who don't know, Junaid Jamshed was part of the life and soul of the Pakistani music industry. His good looks and melodious voice made him one the most appreciated pop stars in Pakistan, with a large fan following spanning all genereations.

When I gave up music last year, alhamdolillah, I also had to give up on listening to my favourite Junaid Jamshed hits. But then there came the news that Junaid Jamshed was giving up music forever! It was wonderful news, not because I too wasn't listening to music anymore, but because someone from within this industry, had realized that music was anti-Islamic and had the courage to act upon this.

Here's the email I received; it's based on an interview:

Junaid Jamshed was one of Pakistan's most popular musical artists when he ended his career as a pop star in 2003 to lead a more spiritual life. He talks to Muslim Voice UK about his journey from pop stardom to religious enlightenment.

He initially rocketed to fame in 1987 as the lead singer of Pakistan's first ever pop band Vital Signs, with the patriotic song 'Dil Dil Pakistan.' After a string of hit songs, the band split and Jamshed began his solo career in 1996 achieving even more success as a solo artist. This was also the start of his life changing spiritual journey. He recalls the turning point in his search for inner peace: "The most memorable moment of my life was when I went with my friend for three days in a jamaat, in the path of Allah in October 1997. That is when I realised what a big mistake my whole life had been and that I needed to change."

Although his interest in Islam continued as he delivered hit after hit, it was another five years before the Pakistani pop legend came to the conclusion that his career was not compatible with Islam. He bid farewell to the pop scene on 14 August 2003 and confirms that the decision was not an easy one to take. "It was a difficult decision. Music was not just my passion, my career and livelihood; it was the only thing I knew," said Jamshed.

Despite his announcement, the singer was unable to leave the pop world immediately and had to wait another year due to his contractual tour and album obligations. He has not abandoned music altogether and now sings Islamic songs with his new nasheed album, 'Jalwa-e-Jana,' to be released in October, during the first week of Ramadan.

Now a devout Muslim, he explains why it was essential for him to leave pop music: "Islam does not permit music, especially the way it is done these days and the money that you earn from it is 'haram' (not permitted). It was not the kind of life I wanted to lead."

He reflects upon the day he declared that his pop career was over: "I was quite sad on the day I made the statement because music was my biggest passion; it was in my blood and under my skin and the only thing I was used to. However, I did it to make Allah happy; I did not want to be someone who was written in His bad books."

With responsibilities to his family, he was worried about his future after music, so the ex-pop star ventured into business although he was not business minded. However, he now runs ones of the most successful designer clothes chains in Pakistan and is grateful to God for his success. "In a very short time of two and a half years we have progressed in leap and bounds even though I am not a business man. This is from Allah; he notices every little thing we do for him and his rewards are boundless," said Jamshed.

Jamshed claims that he is far happier today than he ever was at the height of his stardom and says he does not miss the glamour, adoration and the money. He compares the two phases of his life: "What did I get out of my music? I used to come across audiences that listened to me; I got a lot of fame; and made lots of money. However, there is no shortage in those things, even now. When I go out in the path of Allah, thousands of people still come and listen to me. I have my own business now which nets me a very comfortable amount of money. As far as fame is concerned; initially I was famous for being a singer and now I have a lot of respect in the hearts of people."

He is critical of his past and adds: "Initially in my life, I used to call people to something which was against the will of Allah Almighty, and now I call them towards Allah and ask them to fulfil what he wants them to do."

The tall hazel eyed singer was at the pinnacle of his career when he chose faith over pop stardom. The once heart throb, who was always hoarded by fans where ever he went, is barely recognisable these days choosing to dress in simple shalwar kameez with an ever growing beard.

So how did everyone react to his momentous decision? He says there was a big uproar after his announcement and the fans that had once been crazy about him were against him: "Initially most people thought I was mad. It was hard for them to take; here was a man who was their favourite and now he was telling them that everything that he had done was not right. In addition, he was also calling them towards something they did not want to do."

The 41 year old is pleased that his family were supportive. He says his wife saw it coming and jokes: "My wife was relieved as it was a much better option." He explains that although he did not get up to much, he was expected to lead a certain lifestyle because of the profession he was in: "According to the press, I was an eternal playboy and they would link me to one woman or another. So for my wife it was a pleasant change and she is proud of me."

Living with his family in Karachi, Jamshed says his three sons and daughter have all reacted differently: "My daughter loves the change in me, but when my youngest son who is three years old sees a photograph of me from the past, he thinks it is someone else. My eldest son, aged 13 is the only one that really remembers the two phases of my life."

Jamshed is devoted to his faith and feels that he has a responsibility to guide people on to the right path. Although he initially channelled his efforts into charity work, he is now concentrating on 'dawah' work. He explains why he would rather spend his time calling people to the path of Allah: "I was involved in raising money for a hospital in Jang, which is complete now. I don't think I will be doing more charity work as it was not an easy thing to do. I would rather spend my time in the path of Allah. Yes, charity is Allah's work but charity money is someone's 'amanat'; it is a big responsibility ensuring that the money is spent in the right places."

Reflecting on his past, he says he has no regrets about his decision: "I do not miss any aspect of my previous lifestyle at all. My new life is simple, pure and beautiful. I feel that if you bring into your life the commandments of Allah and the way the prophet performed them, your life can become paradise even in this world.

People mistakenly think that their good times never end. I have realised that in this world happiness, grief, good and bad are all temporary. We all need to realise this before it is too late."Jamshed ends the interview with one of his favourite quotes from the Quran : "Allah does not change the state of people unless and until they themselves make an effort to change their lives."

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Well, the truth is out there, written on the wall. I remember when I first read of Junaid Jamshed leaving music, he had said, 'Music is one of the root causes of a society's moral decline.'

Junaid Jamshed is now aired on TV One in his hour-long program 'Deen-e-Asan' (Simple Deen) in which he uses his life experiences and opinions to mobilize the viewers, to activate them in matters of religion, to tell them that religion will have to be inculcated in our lives or we shall have nothing to present to Allah on the Day of Judgement.

It was in this program that he said yesterday, 'You have no idea of the mental state and thoughts of the singers on-stage while they are singing, watching the girls dance and lose control of themselves. When we went off stage, we'd be in a very precarious state of mind.'

Whatever argument one presents against music, it is a fact that even I can vouch for, once music is out of your mind, then only can you understand the beauty in the ethereal melodies of the Adhan and the Tilawat-e-Quran.

If you are thinking of abstaining from music, yet are so deep into it that you cannot dream of letting it go in an instant, do what I was advised to do: if you listen to music two hours a day, bring it down to one hour a day in six months or a year. And then, bring it down further. Do it for Allah, for He rewards such efforts with gifts beyond measure.

Music is said to be 'food for the soul', 'sustenance of life' - I gave up music and my soul has never felt more alive, my life never so content as it is today, Alhamdolillah!

Salam alaikum!

Donate...

Salam alaikum.

If you wish to donate any money.

Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Foundation:
Account Title: MKRF - Pakistan Earthquake Relief Fund
Bank Name: United Bank Limited
Account No.: o102598-5
Branch Code: 1234
Branch Name: Al-Rehman Branch
Branch Address: I. I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi , Pakistan


For international telegraphic transfer from any bank abroad,
Swift Code U N I L P K KA


Otherwise, there are the Red Cross and Oxfam as well.

Please donate your money in the way of Allah, no doubt He sees all that we do. This might be the one effort which Allah might love and bless us, forgive all our sins for it.

Salam Alaikum.

The Elimination of Bagh

Salam alaikum.

Geo TV just aired a special report from one of it's chief correspondents, Hamid Mir, on the situation in Bagh, a small town in Pakistan-administered Kasmir (Azad Kashmir). Most people have been focusing on Muzaffarabad, Balakot and Ravalakot but the picture of Bagh drew tears to the eyes.

Nothing remains of the once-scenic town of Bagh. The report took us everywhere in the town and at each place they told us the number of dead trapped underneath the debris - a girls' primary school where 300 girls lay buried, a boys' college where about 1200 are thought to be trapped - dead. All that could be seen of homes were their collapsed roofs.

Every single person had a story to tell - had lost atleast one of their near ones. Parents sat outside the ruins of their children's schools, hoping to find their sons and daughters. Women were wailing, lamenting the loss of their mothers, fathers, sisters, daughters, brothers, sons...

Government officials, policemen, no-one was spared by the quake. The few people that remain, the disjointed families have nowhere to go. A teacher or two is alive, and tells of his or her colleagues that couldn't make it to safety. How they count the dead... it is a wonder the death toll is said to be 30,000 when so many people lie underneath the rubble, unaccounted for.

I don't even know why I am writing this here. Who am I trying to reach out to? Allah knows what has happened and He definitely had a purpose and reason for what happened. They were poor people. And they are poorer now. A very long winter is approaching and the sure snowfall.

I don't know what to do. This helplessness is very depressing - what on earth could I possibly do, ever, to relieve those grief-stricken people? They are burying their dead in mass graves... newspapers cover the dead.

Painful is the indifference of people even today. We don't deserve to celebrate Eid, we don't deserve to enjoy anything while our brothers and sisters are in such pain and torment. Don't waste your money in Eid shopping, these people need it more. Can we do anything more? Can we? But how?

I am sitting thousands of kilometres away, on the southern border of Pakistan but the pain and torment seems to fly with the wind and reach us. I see now why people despair of Allah's help. Thoughts float around in my head. Those people. Who will save them? Will Allah save them?

InshAllah, Allah will save them and Allah will guide them to a better life. But with the young generation all perished? Thousands of girls and thousands of boys?

May Allah help us from the despair that follows such tragedies. Ameen. Please remember them in your prayers... remember those who are in terrible pain and grief. May Allah be with us. Ameen.

Earthquake

Salam alaikum.

I didn't think I'd be writing on my blog for a couple of days. What happened to our country on Saturday cannot possibly be described in any manner without doing injustice to the scale of the tragedy. However, I cannot ignore this matter, not one bit.

When my mother told me Saturday morning that an earthquake had struck Islamabad, frankly, I wasn't very alarmed - earthquakes aren't uncommon in the mountainous north of Pakistan. I had to go somewhere that morning and in the car radio, the stories started to unfold. The scale of the disaster started becoming apparent. Finally, when I got home and actually sat before the TV to view the live coverage, I couldn't move or do anything else.

Hamid Mir, a reporter with Geo TV, was reporting live from the rooftop of a building. Technicians and other staff at the network had departed, leaving him and the cameraman alone to do the job. Nobody could blame them - they had to look after their families. The screen shook often as, one after one, aftershocks struck the region.

A 7.6 - magnitude earthquake struck South-Asia, with its epicenter jsut 95 miles north of Islamabad. It has been said that since the epicenter wasn't very deep in the Earth's crust (just 10 km), it caused widespread damage. Tremors were felt as far as a 1500 km away in each direction. The Karachites, Alhamdolillah, didn't register anything.

I don't know what to say about the disaster itself. We've been watching the news channels for three days now. The area that was struck hardest was the area of Azad Kashmir (Free Kashmir - Pakistan controlled), Indian-administered Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan which borders Afghanistan. Whole villages have been reduced to piles of rubble. Where there were moutain resorts, crystal-clear waters and scenic moutain sides, only dust and destruction remain.

It was 8:58 am. Most kids were in school as Saturday is a schol day in Government schools. Most men had gone out to their jobs. Women were either asleep or busy in their chores. When the quake struck, the most devastation was caused in small villages and towns scattered on the mountainsides and nestled in narrow valleys. Roofs of schoolhouses came tumbling down upon the innocent children, whole families were buried in their own houses. What you saw first on TV was a collapsed apartment building in a posh locality of Islamabad which tumbled down five seconds after the first tremors.

The Northern areas are often inaccessible even in normal conditions. The roads carved out of the mountains are narrow and crumbling. Often, landslides block major roads. Now, with whole mountains cracked, bridges crumbling - if not destroyed - and mud, wood and concrete houses reduced to heaps of dust, getting to the disaster-struck areas is the biggest challenge. Their needs, their requirements are all staring us in the face, yes, but how do you get to those places without adequate helicopters and without proper roads?

They show images of villages and towns - usually Balakot and Muzaffarabad - where people wait helplessly for aid and relief. Their loved ones are underneath the rubble - even if they are alive, rescue teams might not make it in time. There are so many villages and towns just like theirs that need such help. No aid will be enough.

In destroyed schools, you can still see the dead bodies of children. Such heartwrenching scenes and nobody can do anything. The scale of the disaster is overwhelming. Locals have been trying to clear the debris with their bare hands, shovels - anything - to get to their loved ones. Their homes, their families, their belongings are all gone. Night falls and thudnerstorms add to the plunging temperatures. Whole villages crouch by the fires in the open, huddling close for warmth.

So much needs to be done. In such times, appeal to the International community for help cannot be considered as degrading to our national pride. But alongside, the Paksitani citizens have also come forward to help in droves. Relief camps at many places in the country have registered huge monetary and material donations. The NGOs are doing their work brilliantly! However, the lack of co-ordination often seen should not be heavily criticised. I have to admit that the Government agencies are all engaged in the relief efforts and most top ministers have been working around the clock.

A channel that was recently launched - TV One - has been doing a commendable job all day today. Their hands-on approach to the disaster was very effective. They've been asking viewers to collect volunteers, organize medical teams and contact the network for transport to the disaster areas. Alongside, they've been issuing lists of what is required in material donations. Volunteers - students, doctors, teachers - are helping out at the relief camps in the assortment of the donations. In this regard, the PAF (Pakistan Air Force) is doing a great job in transporting the aid to where it is needed in their C-13Os and cargo planes. The PAF Museum in Karachi has become the scene of a massive relief operation where an army of volunteers is helping out, even now, in whatever way they can.

I felt terribly helpless today as I combed my belongings for anything I could donate in terms of money and clothes. My wardrobe is full of clothes I just got stitched and they know seem to have become a noose around my neck. My country-people need so much and we here are relaxing in every kind of comfort. I really wish I was a doctor now - they need doctors there. They need people to treat their fractures, cuts and amputations.

If you wish to donate, please do! Helicopters an cargo planes are out of the question for the average human being but please donate in terms of money if you live abroad. There are several organizations accepting donations - the Red Cross, Oxfam, Islamic Relief.
We, too, are helping in whatever way we can - medicines, quilts, clothes, shoes, dry food, etc.

It is iftaar time and I must go. My deepest prayers are with my country-people in trouble. May Allah protect us from further disasters and guide the grief-stricken people to be able to lead normal lives again. And may Allah enable us to learn lessons from this reminder of nature. Ameen.

Salam alaikum.