By Lynn Jefferies
"Mommy why are you crying" Tessniem looked up at me with her deep brown eyes. I shook my head and turned my eyes away from her? Her little hand grabbed my right hand gently, "Mommy what is it, aren't you happy anymore?"
Shifting to meet me face on. I walked quickly out of the dairy aisle to the cleaning aisle where it was less populated. I pretended to stare at the Dawn dish washing soap, running my fingers over the different colored bottles and scents. But Tessniem was unrelenting.
How could I say that the song played on the speakers in a grocery store reminded of something from my past? How could a little girl understand that just a few lines and notes set in a specific melody could make me so sad and depressed? How could I tell her that I can't control it? I left my grocery cart in the aisle and pulled her by her hand out of the store. I knew she was confused as we climbed in the car and turned on the air conditioner full blast, "Mommy, what's wrong?"
I knew she was turned towards me totally confused. I tried to get the tune out of my mind and think about what I was going to say. Shall I tell her that this song I heard when I was trapped in Iraq during the Gulf war and I missed my brother so much? How could a little girl who listens to singing (without music) about Allah and family understand this?
But this song took me back so far in time when I was holding my infant son and the bombs were dropping all over Baghdad the night before. I remembered everything, my last call with my Dad and brother before the electricity, water and phone lines had been wiped out by "smart bombs", how could I tell her that this little song playing over the speakers while I was looking for low fat milk could change my happy mood as though a magician had waved his ugly wand over me and put me into another world?!
I turned to her holding her left hand: "You know Tessniem that Mommy wasn't always a Muslim". She looked up at my eyes scrunching her eyebrows together trying to find the link. "Well I have told you before that when I was raised I used to listen and sing music all the time". She smiled and nodded her head. Her silence was making me not want to go on, but I knew that I had no choice. "Well, because I was raised to listen to music all the time; it starts to become like part of your body, you learn to feel through music."
Tessniem sat up quickly, "Well we listen to Islamic songs about Allah and you said that is ok." Looking out at the parking lot, "Tessniem, honey do you need music?" She shook her little head "no". Looking down at her, "Do you have to have the music on all the time in the house, car, everywhere you go?" She started to look confused, "no". "Do you feel deep emotions that you can't feel otherwise unless you turn on the Islamic songs?" Shaking her head steadily, "No, Mommy".
Sighing my shoulder moved up and down, "Well, that is the difference; I was raised where music was everything; we couldn't sit in a quiet room for more than a minute. Either the TV or the radio had to be on." Thinking back like a dream that never existed, "We needed music to feel and express ourselves, it's like a drug. People spend so much time taking care of their CD like the most precious collection." "Honey, they need it to stay calm to relax, to love, to hate, to feel anger, to feel peace."
Tessniem looked thoroughly confused now. "It's part of their body; it has the "power" to change moods, sometimes the mood is happy, but sometimes the mood is destructive to women and society like those guys with the long hair called Acid Rock Bands."
Tessniem giggled, "Oh yea, they looked weird". Smiling "Well, with music it can be quite controlling and that can be scary." Tessniem adjusted the air vents, "You know, Mommy, I have to tell you something, one time I saw one of the music songs on TV and the girls were dressed bad and the boys and girls were doing bad things together."
I tried not to look surprised, "Well, Tessniem, this is why Allah makes important guidelines for all of us to live by, so that we can concentrate on the beautiful Qur'an and its message instead of being controlled by music." Tessniem jumped up on the black vinyl seat, "Ok Mommy, let's write a letter and tell everybody to stop doing music and give them all a Qur'an tape, of course, they can pick which Qur'an reader they want and we can give them some of our Islamic tapes too".
A warm smile spread over my face thinking about how eager children are to fix the world so easily! "Well, Tessniem, that is a good idea, but I think we will have to take it a little more slowly" Jumping in her seat again, "Oh, oh, I know I can e-mail a letter to that TV music channel and tell them about Islam and the Qur'an and Islamic songs that they can use; maybe they won't like it because there are no instruments, but I can try." Nodding my head slowly, "Yes, I guess you could try, Sweetheart; why not?"
Tessniem reached over and gave me a huge hug as though the answers to all the world's problems had been fixed. I smiled remembering that a Muslim should be optimistic!
Growing up in an extremely musical family, since I was three years old, I was put on top of my mother's grand piano and taught how to sing everything from Jingle Bells to Blues with Diana Ross to Jesus Christ Super Star (Allah forgive me). In most cultures around the world people literally "live" for music. If they want to be happy they turn something bright and cheerful on, if they want to be melancholy, they play an old song, if they want to "feel" in love they turn on love songs. Funny how we accept this openly without any question. I never questioned it growing up, in fact I wrote many songs to express how I felt.
Below are quotes by musicians in their own words regarding music's impact on people:
- "Music is so naturally united with us that we cannot be free from it even if we so desired." (Boethius cited by Storr)
- "Certain brain structures also are larger in musicians. This suggests that music training can influence brain organization and ability." (Music Training and the Brain page 2)
- "In general, responses to music are able to be observed. It has been proven that music influences humans both in good and bad ways. These effects are instant and long lasting. Music is thought to link all of the emotional, spiritual, and physical elements of the universe. Music can also be used to change a person's mood, and has been found to cause like physical responses in many people simultaneously. Music also has the ability to strengthen or weaken emotions from a particular event such as a funeral." (Laurence O'Donnell III is a musicist from Perth, Scotland)
- "Rhythm is also an important aspect of music to study when looking at responses to music. There are two responses to rhythm. These responses are hard to separate because they are related, and one of these responses cannot exist without the other. These responses are the actual hearing of the rhythm and the physical response to the rhythm. Rhythm organizes physical movements and is very much related to the human body." (Laurence O'Donnell III is a musicist from Perth, Scotland)
Why are people so attached to music? Why is this addiction so difficult to give up? When I "gave up the addiction" my family had a very difficult time. They felt betrayed, hurt and angry. They felt that I was letting go of them our culture and our family history. I was so shocked by their reaction that I decided that I had to study more about the Islamic view of music and singing.
What I learned about this intense personal addiction to music is that people "feel" through music. They have been conditioned since they were small to learn to feel, express, sing through music. I know that I did. When I was sad I composed songs that expressed my deepest feelings. Once written I could sing it to my mother who would instantly cry. If I wrote a song about my happy feelings, smiles would come to the faces of the audience and they would clap happily. Actually if you think about it this is scary. This is a mood-altering device that is almost like magic!
Islam is for all people and for all times. Allah (SWT) sent with his final Messenger beautiful legislation with Allah's Wisdom. Just like the one who claims: "I am not an alcoholic, I just drink a glass of wine once a week", Islam isn't for just one person who has "control". It is for all people, like the man who professes: "I am not an alcoholic, I only drink 3 glasses a day". People's definition of alcoholism varies from one person to another, from one country to another. But for Islam, it sets boundaries from the beginning to weed out all potential alcoholics, drug abusers and music addicts.
So what is the big deal about music anyway? Why shouldn't this mood altering "drug" be allowed? Even segments of Western society are aghast at the affect of music on their children's behavior, dress, mood and views. Anti-family, anti-social, rebellious themes, pre-marital sex, sexual gender confusion, hate towards family, women etc. Disney posters are being replaced by posters of pop stars as young as 7 years old!
After Iblees (Satan) refused to bow before Adam as ordered, he requested that Allah grant him respite until the Day of Resurrection, so that he may misguide all but a few of the descendants of Adam (peace be upon him). Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, addressed Satan thus, "And excite any of them whom you can with your voice. Assault them with your cavalry and infantry, be a partner with them in their wealth and children, and make them promises. But Satan promises them nothing except deceit." (17:64)
What is allowed?
In Allah's most perfect religion, Islam, Allah is our Creator, He knows how we feel, think and behave. Allah recognizes all of our bodily reactions to everything that is around us. Why? Because we are His creation. Allah knows what we need, recognizes our strengths and weaknesses. The following areas are allowed in Islam (all of which in moderation except the recitation of Qur'an).
Recitation of the Holy Qur'an:
Reciting the Holy Qur'an promotes beautiful individualistic intonations, pitch and expressiveness in voice. What better way to spend your time expressing yourself then reciting The Speech of Allah. What better way to make the heart feel relaxed.
"Recitation of and listening to the reading of Allah's Book, so aptly described by an English translator of the Qur'an is 'that inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy". In a number of authentic traditions the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stressed that the Qur'an was to be chanted or sung in a sweet and melodious voice. He said,"Adorn the Qur'an with your voices." (Authentically related by Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
It is incumbent upon Muslims to learn how to recite Allah's Book in a beautiful, sweet and melodious voice in consonance with the rules of Tajweed, to constantly practice reading, and to listen to others; for nothing like the Qur'an uplifts the spirit and puts peace and tranquility in one's very heart and soul. Allah (SWT) says: "Allah has (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent, (wherein promises of reward are) paired (with threats of punishment), whereat creeps the flesh of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah's reminder. Such is Allah's guidance, where with He guides whom He pleases. And him whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide." (39:23)
Drum called the duff:
The use of musical instruments is forbidden except for the duff, whose permissible use is basically at weddings and Eid and the similar celebrations. If it is used by women it must be performed only in front of women and children audience.
Singing and listening to Islamic songs:
Composing, singing and listening to Islamic Nasheeds (songs without instruments) can have a terrific impact on the listener especially children and young adults. It encourages good behavior, reflection of life in relation to Allah and basic understanding about Islam.
Nasheeds these days have proven to be very important in spreading Islam to the youth. This is a result of the addiction to music. It is important to try to withdraw them from very destructive love songs and rap music to excellent nasheed groups. Nasheed sales are growing at an exceptionally fast rate in America. The problem though is it is hard to find nasheeds without drumming or using acoustics.
In addition some of the nasheed groups have taken their role so seriously that they are imitating and performing like music groups in the West. We must be careful not to go too far where posters and concerts are more important than listening to the Holy Qur'an.
Read below the lyrics of one song from an American Nasheed singer that is very popular with teenagers. He focuses on current problems that the youth are experiencing and tries to build their Eman (Faith). But it is important to note that nasheeds can also become addictive, so like everything in Islam, moderation is the key.
Verse No.1
What got me to this point, why am I not surprised.
No need for rewind, my life flashes right before my eyes,
I wasn't unlike most, and specifically speaking
Grew up Muslim in public school, Islamic school on the weekend,
Once in a while made it to Jummah maybe not even that,
As far as Islam is concerned it really wasn't where my head was at,
But it was cool if I made grades on the home front,
A 4.0 my parents bought me anything I want.
The "fly-est" gear to help me cop them di****,
Then maybe when I am 30 I'll become religious
But later came, my disposition stayed the same,
Live your life one way too long it's not so easy to change
I refrained from the things that was said to help me gain
And indulge in the things that I should of obstained
Mixed up caught up, going out of my brain
I guess it's about the time, I ran into "Mary Jane" (Marijuana)
Inhalations in my breath, got my mind thinking less, oh yes,
And in this state I met the angel of death,
And then came the time for Allah to resurrect,
My soul from the clutches of a six foot depth
I find myself surrounded by the company I kept
Realizing full well this was the day of regret
And over the horizon, slowly it crept,
Anticipation thoughts racing and I'm losing my breath
And with all my might my right arm I stretch,
Imagine my reaction, I caught my book in my left,
I caught my book in my left!
I caught my book in my left!
Chorus
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
Everybody will come to the hour
When we stand all alone in horror
And we hope that our deeds will help us through
Only one we can blame is ourselves
We were blessed with our youth and our heath
And we wonder why our deeds are few
Everybody-gets a wake up call,
Take a warning before the nightfall
Use the time right now for making prayer
And on the day when there is no shelter
The good deeds are your only helpers
You'll be proud when you see that they're there.
Verse No.2
I'm looking back now at my life on the earth
Been thinking about my deeds and what everything was worth
Like the time I was listening to a speech about Hell,
It really made me scared cause he broke it down well,
Never you forget about those angels undercover, or the..
Day when your good deeds are weighed against the others
Bad deeds brought together, then you discover
Your good deeds are just feathers, you start to shudder, then- the- angels,
Grab you by the forehead, and start to make you suffer
Hot, boiling water, Burning fire forever,
Waiting for a pause in the pain, but it be never ->
As I rode to my school, I told myself there ain't no way I'm gonna be a fool,
And forget Allah's rules.
Eyes on the prize, gonna stay wise,
As I go to class, socialize with the guys.
But whoa, look at the time, the next prayer's in,
I'm here chillin' - they'll start staring
Slip to bathroom, find an empty classroom,
Don't wanna miss a prayer here at school or even at home
Man it was a struggle, trying to be a Muslim and staying out of trouble,
The stress seemed double,
Even watching TV, I had have patrol,
Hands on remote control, just to save my soul
But deep in my heart yo I knew it,
I could really do it, If I pushed myself through it,
Living all my youth with Islam, see it only grew me stronger,
Withholding temptations for longer and longer,
But now it pays off, if the fire stays off,
Be chilling for eternity forever days off,
Got my book in right and my fate is looking well,
They put struggles of my youth on the good side of my scale
With the mercy of Allah, I won't fail, Cause truly
Not a moment, not a moment did I want in Hell.
Cause not a moment, not a moment would I want in hell
Chorus
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
"Mommy why are you crying" Tessniem looked up at me with her deep brown eyes. I shook my head and turned my eyes away from her? Her little hand grabbed my right hand gently, "Mommy what is it, aren't you happy anymore?"
Shifting to meet me face on. I walked quickly out of the dairy aisle to the cleaning aisle where it was less populated. I pretended to stare at the Dawn dish washing soap, running my fingers over the different colored bottles and scents. But Tessniem was unrelenting.
How could I say that the song played on the speakers in a grocery store reminded of something from my past? How could a little girl understand that just a few lines and notes set in a specific melody could make me so sad and depressed? How could I tell her that I can't control it? I left my grocery cart in the aisle and pulled her by her hand out of the store. I knew she was confused as we climbed in the car and turned on the air conditioner full blast, "Mommy, what's wrong?"
I knew she was turned towards me totally confused. I tried to get the tune out of my mind and think about what I was going to say. Shall I tell her that this song I heard when I was trapped in Iraq during the Gulf war and I missed my brother so much? How could a little girl who listens to singing (without music) about Allah and family understand this?
But this song took me back so far in time when I was holding my infant son and the bombs were dropping all over Baghdad the night before. I remembered everything, my last call with my Dad and brother before the electricity, water and phone lines had been wiped out by "smart bombs", how could I tell her that this little song playing over the speakers while I was looking for low fat milk could change my happy mood as though a magician had waved his ugly wand over me and put me into another world?!
I turned to her holding her left hand: "You know Tessniem that Mommy wasn't always a Muslim". She looked up at my eyes scrunching her eyebrows together trying to find the link. "Well I have told you before that when I was raised I used to listen and sing music all the time". She smiled and nodded her head. Her silence was making me not want to go on, but I knew that I had no choice. "Well, because I was raised to listen to music all the time; it starts to become like part of your body, you learn to feel through music."
Tessniem sat up quickly, "Well we listen to Islamic songs about Allah and you said that is ok." Looking out at the parking lot, "Tessniem, honey do you need music?" She shook her little head "no". Looking down at her, "Do you have to have the music on all the time in the house, car, everywhere you go?" She started to look confused, "no". "Do you feel deep emotions that you can't feel otherwise unless you turn on the Islamic songs?" Shaking her head steadily, "No, Mommy".
Sighing my shoulder moved up and down, "Well, that is the difference; I was raised where music was everything; we couldn't sit in a quiet room for more than a minute. Either the TV or the radio had to be on." Thinking back like a dream that never existed, "We needed music to feel and express ourselves, it's like a drug. People spend so much time taking care of their CD like the most precious collection." "Honey, they need it to stay calm to relax, to love, to hate, to feel anger, to feel peace."
Tessniem looked thoroughly confused now. "It's part of their body; it has the "power" to change moods, sometimes the mood is happy, but sometimes the mood is destructive to women and society like those guys with the long hair called Acid Rock Bands."
Tessniem giggled, "Oh yea, they looked weird". Smiling "Well, with music it can be quite controlling and that can be scary." Tessniem adjusted the air vents, "You know, Mommy, I have to tell you something, one time I saw one of the music songs on TV and the girls were dressed bad and the boys and girls were doing bad things together."
I tried not to look surprised, "Well, Tessniem, this is why Allah makes important guidelines for all of us to live by, so that we can concentrate on the beautiful Qur'an and its message instead of being controlled by music." Tessniem jumped up on the black vinyl seat, "Ok Mommy, let's write a letter and tell everybody to stop doing music and give them all a Qur'an tape, of course, they can pick which Qur'an reader they want and we can give them some of our Islamic tapes too".
A warm smile spread over my face thinking about how eager children are to fix the world so easily! "Well, Tessniem, that is a good idea, but I think we will have to take it a little more slowly" Jumping in her seat again, "Oh, oh, I know I can e-mail a letter to that TV music channel and tell them about Islam and the Qur'an and Islamic songs that they can use; maybe they won't like it because there are no instruments, but I can try." Nodding my head slowly, "Yes, I guess you could try, Sweetheart; why not?"
Tessniem reached over and gave me a huge hug as though the answers to all the world's problems had been fixed. I smiled remembering that a Muslim should be optimistic!
Growing up in an extremely musical family, since I was three years old, I was put on top of my mother's grand piano and taught how to sing everything from Jingle Bells to Blues with Diana Ross to Jesus Christ Super Star (Allah forgive me). In most cultures around the world people literally "live" for music. If they want to be happy they turn something bright and cheerful on, if they want to be melancholy, they play an old song, if they want to "feel" in love they turn on love songs. Funny how we accept this openly without any question. I never questioned it growing up, in fact I wrote many songs to express how I felt.
Below are quotes by musicians in their own words regarding music's impact on people:
- "Music is so naturally united with us that we cannot be free from it even if we so desired." (Boethius cited by Storr)
- "Certain brain structures also are larger in musicians. This suggests that music training can influence brain organization and ability." (Music Training and the Brain page 2)
- "In general, responses to music are able to be observed. It has been proven that music influences humans both in good and bad ways. These effects are instant and long lasting. Music is thought to link all of the emotional, spiritual, and physical elements of the universe. Music can also be used to change a person's mood, and has been found to cause like physical responses in many people simultaneously. Music also has the ability to strengthen or weaken emotions from a particular event such as a funeral." (Laurence O'Donnell III is a musicist from Perth, Scotland)
- "Rhythm is also an important aspect of music to study when looking at responses to music. There are two responses to rhythm. These responses are hard to separate because they are related, and one of these responses cannot exist without the other. These responses are the actual hearing of the rhythm and the physical response to the rhythm. Rhythm organizes physical movements and is very much related to the human body." (Laurence O'Donnell III is a musicist from Perth, Scotland)
Why are people so attached to music? Why is this addiction so difficult to give up? When I "gave up the addiction" my family had a very difficult time. They felt betrayed, hurt and angry. They felt that I was letting go of them our culture and our family history. I was so shocked by their reaction that I decided that I had to study more about the Islamic view of music and singing.
What I learned about this intense personal addiction to music is that people "feel" through music. They have been conditioned since they were small to learn to feel, express, sing through music. I know that I did. When I was sad I composed songs that expressed my deepest feelings. Once written I could sing it to my mother who would instantly cry. If I wrote a song about my happy feelings, smiles would come to the faces of the audience and they would clap happily. Actually if you think about it this is scary. This is a mood-altering device that is almost like magic!
Islam is for all people and for all times. Allah (SWT) sent with his final Messenger beautiful legislation with Allah's Wisdom. Just like the one who claims: "I am not an alcoholic, I just drink a glass of wine once a week", Islam isn't for just one person who has "control". It is for all people, like the man who professes: "I am not an alcoholic, I only drink 3 glasses a day". People's definition of alcoholism varies from one person to another, from one country to another. But for Islam, it sets boundaries from the beginning to weed out all potential alcoholics, drug abusers and music addicts.
So what is the big deal about music anyway? Why shouldn't this mood altering "drug" be allowed? Even segments of Western society are aghast at the affect of music on their children's behavior, dress, mood and views. Anti-family, anti-social, rebellious themes, pre-marital sex, sexual gender confusion, hate towards family, women etc. Disney posters are being replaced by posters of pop stars as young as 7 years old!
After Iblees (Satan) refused to bow before Adam as ordered, he requested that Allah grant him respite until the Day of Resurrection, so that he may misguide all but a few of the descendants of Adam (peace be upon him). Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, addressed Satan thus, "And excite any of them whom you can with your voice. Assault them with your cavalry and infantry, be a partner with them in their wealth and children, and make them promises. But Satan promises them nothing except deceit." (17:64)
What is allowed?
In Allah's most perfect religion, Islam, Allah is our Creator, He knows how we feel, think and behave. Allah recognizes all of our bodily reactions to everything that is around us. Why? Because we are His creation. Allah knows what we need, recognizes our strengths and weaknesses. The following areas are allowed in Islam (all of which in moderation except the recitation of Qur'an).
Recitation of the Holy Qur'an:
Reciting the Holy Qur'an promotes beautiful individualistic intonations, pitch and expressiveness in voice. What better way to spend your time expressing yourself then reciting The Speech of Allah. What better way to make the heart feel relaxed.
"Recitation of and listening to the reading of Allah's Book, so aptly described by an English translator of the Qur'an is 'that inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy". In a number of authentic traditions the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stressed that the Qur'an was to be chanted or sung in a sweet and melodious voice. He said,"Adorn the Qur'an with your voices." (Authentically related by Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
It is incumbent upon Muslims to learn how to recite Allah's Book in a beautiful, sweet and melodious voice in consonance with the rules of Tajweed, to constantly practice reading, and to listen to others; for nothing like the Qur'an uplifts the spirit and puts peace and tranquility in one's very heart and soul. Allah (SWT) says: "Allah has (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent, (wherein promises of reward are) paired (with threats of punishment), whereat creeps the flesh of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah's reminder. Such is Allah's guidance, where with He guides whom He pleases. And him whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide." (39:23)
Drum called the duff:
The use of musical instruments is forbidden except for the duff, whose permissible use is basically at weddings and Eid and the similar celebrations. If it is used by women it must be performed only in front of women and children audience.
Singing and listening to Islamic songs:
Composing, singing and listening to Islamic Nasheeds (songs without instruments) can have a terrific impact on the listener especially children and young adults. It encourages good behavior, reflection of life in relation to Allah and basic understanding about Islam.
Nasheeds these days have proven to be very important in spreading Islam to the youth. This is a result of the addiction to music. It is important to try to withdraw them from very destructive love songs and rap music to excellent nasheed groups. Nasheed sales are growing at an exceptionally fast rate in America. The problem though is it is hard to find nasheeds without drumming or using acoustics.
In addition some of the nasheed groups have taken their role so seriously that they are imitating and performing like music groups in the West. We must be careful not to go too far where posters and concerts are more important than listening to the Holy Qur'an.
Read below the lyrics of one song from an American Nasheed singer that is very popular with teenagers. He focuses on current problems that the youth are experiencing and tries to build their Eman (Faith). But it is important to note that nasheeds can also become addictive, so like everything in Islam, moderation is the key.
Verse No.1
What got me to this point, why am I not surprised.
No need for rewind, my life flashes right before my eyes,
I wasn't unlike most, and specifically speaking
Grew up Muslim in public school, Islamic school on the weekend,
Once in a while made it to Jummah maybe not even that,
As far as Islam is concerned it really wasn't where my head was at,
But it was cool if I made grades on the home front,
A 4.0 my parents bought me anything I want.
The "fly-est" gear to help me cop them di****,
Then maybe when I am 30 I'll become religious
But later came, my disposition stayed the same,
Live your life one way too long it's not so easy to change
I refrained from the things that was said to help me gain
And indulge in the things that I should of obstained
Mixed up caught up, going out of my brain
I guess it's about the time, I ran into "Mary Jane" (Marijuana)
Inhalations in my breath, got my mind thinking less, oh yes,
And in this state I met the angel of death,
And then came the time for Allah to resurrect,
My soul from the clutches of a six foot depth
I find myself surrounded by the company I kept
Realizing full well this was the day of regret
And over the horizon, slowly it crept,
Anticipation thoughts racing and I'm losing my breath
And with all my might my right arm I stretch,
Imagine my reaction, I caught my book in my left,
I caught my book in my left!
I caught my book in my left!
Chorus
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
Everybody will come to the hour
When we stand all alone in horror
And we hope that our deeds will help us through
Only one we can blame is ourselves
We were blessed with our youth and our heath
And we wonder why our deeds are few
Everybody-gets a wake up call,
Take a warning before the nightfall
Use the time right now for making prayer
And on the day when there is no shelter
The good deeds are your only helpers
You'll be proud when you see that they're there.
Verse No.2
I'm looking back now at my life on the earth
Been thinking about my deeds and what everything was worth
Like the time I was listening to a speech about Hell,
It really made me scared cause he broke it down well,
Never you forget about those angels undercover, or the..
Day when your good deeds are weighed against the others
Bad deeds brought together, then you discover
Your good deeds are just feathers, you start to shudder, then- the- angels,
Grab you by the forehead, and start to make you suffer
Hot, boiling water, Burning fire forever,
Waiting for a pause in the pain, but it be never ->
As I rode to my school, I told myself there ain't no way I'm gonna be a fool,
And forget Allah's rules.
Eyes on the prize, gonna stay wise,
As I go to class, socialize with the guys.
But whoa, look at the time, the next prayer's in,
I'm here chillin' - they'll start staring
Slip to bathroom, find an empty classroom,
Don't wanna miss a prayer here at school or even at home
Man it was a struggle, trying to be a Muslim and staying out of trouble,
The stress seemed double,
Even watching TV, I had have patrol,
Hands on remote control, just to save my soul
But deep in my heart yo I knew it,
I could really do it, If I pushed myself through it,
Living all my youth with Islam, see it only grew me stronger,
Withholding temptations for longer and longer,
But now it pays off, if the fire stays off,
Be chilling for eternity forever days off,
Got my book in right and my fate is looking well,
They put struggles of my youth on the good side of my scale
With the mercy of Allah, I won't fail, Cause truly
Not a moment, not a moment did I want in Hell.
Cause not a moment, not a moment would I want in hell
Chorus
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
Save me from the, Hell fire, Hell fire, Hell fire
SATURDAY :21/09/2002
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