An incident just now tat had me thinking..

[faizal_rocks]

I was on my home when I heard sumbody calling out my name. I turned around and saw this guy in a Muslim traditional costume. I didnt know who he was. I was puzzled, then he told me "dont u remember me? its ur old pal..." guess and guess n looked at him closely till I went OMG..could it be Rahim and I asked if tat was his name and he said yes. OMG, I`ve known this guy since my poly days and he was a wild mat rocker back then. Tat was back in 2001. We come from different bands but we would often talk to each other because of our similar musical influences. He used to have long hair and often dressed in a rugged manner and was so into rock music and guitars. I still remembered his red Epiphone LP guitar with weird stickers all over it. We often supported each other when it comes to gigs. Now facing me was sight tat I find it hard to beleive, he was now all clean, appropriately dressed and no more long hair.

I asked what happened to him. He told me tat he`s taking a part time Islamic Studies course and had to abandon his rock looks and lifestyle. He said thru the course, he found true happiness in his inner self and of course, he`s no longer involved in playing music. He told me tat he was a born again Muslim. He has dreams of pursuing further studies in Al-Azhar University in Cairo. We took down each other`s contacts and went our separate ways.

Till now, I`m still thinking abt it. Just felt like letting it all out here.

 

[Phil]

Well that's pretty darn impressive, sounds like he's enlightened and totally into God.
But the question remains, do you really need to abandon music to attain fulfilment spirituality-wise?

 

[francesca]

well maybe he's found total fulfilment in the religion and nothing else becomes comparable...

 

[zysth]

wow i tot u were trying to tell us a ghost story at the 1st look..

 

[DarknessFury]

^ Ditto...I could picture the whole thing and was gonna ask if you tried calling the number, lol...you sure he's a real person? No offence...'coz your description is really close to a typical hantu story, lol...

 

[faizal_rocks]

^ Ditto...I could picture the whole thing and was gonna ask if you tried calling the number, lol...you sure he's a real person? No offence...'coz your description is really close to a typical hantu story, lol...

hehe i`m positive tat its really him..

 

[nitrovo]

wow.. he must be happy to give up something he loved for something better.

Well at least he's doing what he wants right? thats what matters.

 

[khai_stereotype]

faizalrocks: i'm a muslim, its the matter of self-interest and personal influences.

for myself, i rather be a moderate muslim. even the muslim religion teaches us to be moderate and simple. too much of everything is not good. trust me.

 

[gutturalpiss]

different people have different ways lad

 

[unsane]

didnt some strict islamic country declare all rock music haram? it depends on how you want to take it...faith is in your heart,not in what you do or dont do,that should be the case for all religions.

 

[anep]

interesting that such things do happen.
one good example for the young teens. heh.

Phil: i dun think hes actually abandoning music to "attain fulfilment spirituality-wise". like whats said, i tink its more like, he left a method of happiness to achieve a better method of happiness. so, yar. hes happy in another way. a better way, of some sort.

 

[wyldeboon]

gd for him...

 

[Matno]

Faizal, your friend has made a right choice. Ultimately as how you try to argue or "peng story", music in Islam is generally forbidden except the Nasyid songs and songs praising Allah. However, I am NOT going to tell you why it is forbidden and all because honestly, religion is a very touchy issue and furthermore I am not well versed in this subject. But I'm sure you will read up about this music issue in Islamic books/sites or seek advice from a more reliable source like from an Ustaz or an Imam.

I understand how you feel. You might be feeling awkward. Or you might be having 2nd thoughts about playing music in general after this enlightening episode with your friend. Whatever it is, if you decided to give up on music as it is not encouraged in Islam, then you have my fullest support and respect. Because I have alot of friends in the local scene who have given up music due to this. And also I have friends who are still playing music and equally staunch in their religious practices. Strange one might say, but to each its own.

For me, I have been into the local underground scene since 1989 and I am still in it! It's the best thing that has ever happened to me. But I am aware of the fact that one day I will stop playing not because I'm sick of it but because I know that it is wrong. The trick here is not to stop abruptly, but slowly. Also as what Khai has pointed out to is to have everything in moderation. Of course more of the religious side is better.

Sorry if my views have offended you or any Muslims in here in anyway. Just giving my two cents worth.

 

[Guest]

very interesting

 

[sLapshock]

Muslim got tradiotional costume?

Muslim is a people whose religion is Islam. Islam is a religion and race is a race.

Some stupid people often says "he malay, cannot eat pork". Being a malay doesnt mean you cannot eat pork. There's alots of Christian Malays, Atheist and even Hindu. Being an Arab doesnt means you're a Muslim, in egypt thousands of them are Catholics and Christians.

There's a reason why Islam prohibits music, sometimes it often leds to something that against Islam. Just like why Islam prohibits from eating pork, and consume alcohlic. In Islam, there's always a reason.

But doesnt mean, you CANT be a good Muslim even you are black metal, it may not nice, but if you REALLY REALLY CLEAN. I think its OK.

 

[cliffnewsted]

wow! i totally respect ur friend man! it's hard to give up something u love for religion, even though it's e right thing to do.. ihave long hair too n u'd hav to threaten to chop of my fingers b4 i cut it. :supz:

 

[sofyan]

cool. did he used to drink or anything? haha.

 

[Tribalcast]

Too sensative *bzzt* *bzst* *shutdown*

 

[The-Warlord]

Metal is my religion. No religion can make me happier than my belief in music.

 

[nitrovo]

Metal is my religion. No religion can make me happier than my belief in music.

True that brother, well not just metal, but music just music.

thats what I told my mum, she told I should believe in something. I went to a catholic school for 4 years, i've had enough of religion and cant stand it, so i just went and found my own values to live by, and music is goin great sofar