NATIVE DEEN

Assalamualaikum

Alhamdulillah, we meet again today. Well, ever heard of them? The Native Deen? I'm sure some or maybe most of us have heard. But for those who have'nt heard....here's some info regarding them.

Members : They consist of three young Muslim men who were born and raised in United States of America. Joshua Salaam, Naeem Muhammad, and Abdul-Malik Ahmad who grew up in Washington, DC.Their music seeks to inspire young people to keep their Islamic faith amid the pressures and temptations of daily life.

Background : "Deen" in Arabic means religion or way of life. The group identifies themselves as Muslim, and wear traditional Islamic dress such as kufis and shalwar kameez. Of course, they say there is more than one way to identify as a Muslim, both by etiquette and dress. Their music is hip-hop style, with lyrics on Islam and several of their songs focus on living as a Muslim in America amidst pressures and temptations.[1] Their music typifies the subgenre "positive hip-hop".[2]
At the third annual Islamic Relief "Evening of Inspiration", in Costa Mesa, California, Muhammad narrated a powerful slideshow, projecting images of needy, hungry children from around the world to illustrate why Islam demands that Muslims give to the less fortunate. He said of Islamic Relief
[It] helps the most vulnerable people from all walks of life. People don't understand how much a dollar can do. That's why this event is more than just a concert – it's a call to action[3].
Native Deen perform at Islamic conferences, fundraisers, weddings, and holiday gatherings (usually in Ramadan and Eid-ul-Adha). They are relatively well known among the North American Muslim youth, and have toured internationally[1].
Many Muslims believe that string and wind instruments should be avoided in Islam. In order to please the widest audience, the group does not use any string or wind instruments in their music. The main instruments are drums, synthesized percussion instruments, and vocals.[1] Some of their more popular songs and raps include Intentions and Paradise.
Native Deen came about through M.Y.N.A. or Muslim Youth of North America. The project was a gathering of amateur recording artists who've written their own work and MYNA featured these artists on the MYNA RAPs' album. Three of the artists from these albums, Joshua Salaam, Abdul Mailk Ahmad, and Naeem Muhammad, who were all solo, started a group where they could do this professionally, and the result was Native Deen[1]. Their music is produced under the "Mountain of Light" label, which was founded by Yusuf Islam (previously known as Cat Stevens).
Native Deen's latest album includes the track Still Strong, featuring Isam Bachiri of Outlandish. In support of this album, they recently toured Australia, performing in Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland.

Alright, now..my turn.
When i was reading their background, i was quite impressed. They said that " Many Muslims believe that string and wind instruments should be avoided in Islam. In order to please the widest audience, the group does not use any string or wind instruments in their music. The main instruments are drums, synthesized percussion instruments, and vocals"

MasyaAllah, even Muslim in America can practice upon this. Yet we in Malaysia, not talking about the non muslims. Yes, muslims. Some still love listening to Western musics. It's so sad! Those music wont do nothing other than blackening and hardening the heart. Some still love Ketty Perry ( dont know how to spell it exactly) Akon, Christina Arguilera, and so on.. we know best right?
Come on..don't be so backwards in life. Nabi SAW told us to leave the practice of Jahiliyyah. Yup, JAHILIYYAH. Also known as IGNORANCE. A period of ignorance b4 the advent of Islam. Where ppl used to eat dead, living in a custom of killing each other, gambling, burrying their daugthers alive, drinking wine...etc. They were living in darkness. Nabi SAW came to them, bringing the light of hidayah. Drew them out of hole of darkness and dispair. Took them into the fold of Islam.
Yeah, now we r saying that these western music is UP TO DATE and COOL?? What about the teachings of Rasulullah SAW? They aren't cool enough to us to follow?

One more point: "The group identifies themselves as Muslim, and wear traditional Islamic dress such as kufis ( kopiah ) and shalwar kameez ( trouser and long top shirt) Of course, they say there is more than one way to identify as a Muslim, both by etiquette and dress"

Muslim should dress like a Muslim. Try not to say...."Alah kita kan dekat malaysia. Tgk muka pun dah tahu Islam.." Ye ke ...??? Habis tu.. kenapa kalau kita minat ngan cite Korea...fashion pun kita ikut fashion Korea? Kenapa bila kita minat Shuffle..kita practice buat shuffle jugak? Kenapa bila kita suka cite/ kartun Jepun, kita usaha belajar cakap Jepun jugak? Kenapa?

Bagi ana...kalau kita suka sesuatu..kita mesti happy nak TUNJUK yang kita suka benda tu. Katakan ana suka English, ana akan selalu bertutur dalam bahasa itu, menulis dalam bahasa itu sebagai contoh.

Satu lagi contoh..ade dialog sikit, ( pelakon adalah rekaan semata2..dont laugh. I know this is bad. I'm not a novel writer)
(Isteri terasa dengan sikap suaminya yang menjadi semakin pendiam)

Isteri: Abang ni sayang tak kat Yana...??
Suami: Mesti lah sayang. Kenapa tanya macam tu? Kalau abang tak sayang, tak de la abang susah payah masuk meminang sayang dulu.
Isteri: Ye la.. cara abang tu..'cold' je. Balik kerja terus masuk bilik. Pagi2, masa sarapan pun senyap je.... dulu abang mane ade cam ni. Abang selalu sembang, selalu senyum...

Ok, dah. (Sorry cite tak sedap) Anyway, see, coz the husband doesn't SHOW that he loves her.. the wife became doubtful.

Similarly..if we say, we luv Islam, and proud of being Muslim...Why don't we SHOW it too? We can start now..and create a successful ending..

(p/s) For a person who does not listen to music at all..Native Deen is not for u. And for those who love western/korean/japanesse/hindi etc music...rather listen to this Native Deen, at least you'll hear the word Allah and Islam in it. Not words like love, baby, crush and all those kind which we ourselves know best!

Wallahu Musta'aan