Sami Yusuf replies to Sister Yvonne Ridleys article
Published by Haseeb June 18th, 2006 in Current News, IslamBack in April, 2006, Sister Yvonne Ridley (the British Journalist captured and released by the Taliban back in 2001, and then later converted to Islam) wrote an article for the ‘Daily Muslims’ newspaper/website criticizing brother Muslim musicians/singers for their ‘pop music culture’ that they apparently propagate. I chose not to publish this article because I did not agree with her points in her article, yet I still respect the sister and do not want others thinking bad about her because of her assumptions and generalizations therein.
In May, 2006, one of the groups criticized in the article, Mecca2Medina, responded to the article in the form of a song which you can listen to here: Mecca2Medina - Not a Boy Band (mp3 format - courtesy of Mujahideenryder.net)
And even more recently, this month, our dear brother Sami Yusuf finally replied with an open letter. Mashallah, its very respectful and well-written. I love how he touched on the controversial issue of music in Islam, national identity, the dynamism and tolerance of Islam (he even cited Shaykh Umar Faruq Abdullah!) Inshallah i hope this issue becomes resolved soon. Id like to see Sister Yvonne at one of Sami’s upcoming concerts shaking hands publicly - oh wait never mind, lol. Maybe an air-high-five?
Here is Sami Yusuf’s letter in its entirety:
Open Letter From Sami Yusuf to Yvonne Riddley
17/06/06
Dear Yvonne,
Peace and blessings of God be upon you.
Your recent article on ‘Pop Culture in the Name of Islam’ has been brought to my attention. I commend you for voicing your opinion and raising some very important issues – albeit in a very provocative manner. I thought it would be useful to share some of my thoughts with you on this matter.
As a Muslim artist, I regularly seek clarification and advice from world-renowned scholars on art, music, singing and culture. Be informed that the subject of music is one of the most controversial topics in Islamic Jurisprudence. I respect those who consider music to be haram. Yes eminent scholars of our past have opined such. However, I respect and follow the opinion of other eminent scholars – classical and contemporary, who permit singing and the use of musical instruments. The well-established jurisprudential rule states that ‘in matters where there is ikhtilaf (differences of opinion) there is to be no condemnation of either opinion.’ This is from the beauty of the religion of Islam. The diversity of our cultural, legal and social traditions is something we are in dire need of celebrating not condemning. So let’s agree to disagree on this one.
The obsessive fascination of fans towards any celebrity - be it in arts, music, politics, media, etc - to the point of hysteria and hero-worshipping is definitely unhealthy not to mention un-Islamic. Of course, as Muslims, we are required to abide by certain etiquettes in whatever situation we may find ourselves in. However, I definitely did not see girls dancing or behaving indecently in any of my concerts. To state otherwise is a gross exaggeration if not an outright fallacy. And if indeed that did take place then let’s deal with it in the true Prophetic tradition - a tradition that imparts love, mercy, tolerance and wisdom. Let me share with you the story of the Bedouin who came to the Prophet’s mosque and started urinating in the mosque itself. The Companions rushed to grab him and give him a ‘good beating.’ But the Prophet did not allow them to do so and told them to let him be. After the Bedouin had urinated, the Prophet asked his Companions to bring a bucket of water and wash the place. Afterwards he called the man and with gentleness and affection explained to him that this was a place of worship and that it should be kept clean. Though I have to say that had the Bedouin been around today he would be lucky to get away with just a ‘good beating’!
Indeed the state of contemporary mainstream music is one dominated by celebrity worship, materialism and the constant promotion of a consumerist culture that seeks only to derive instant emotional and physical gratification. The arts industry in general – and the music industry specifically – is being commercialised at the expense of art itself. We don’t value good art or good music anymore – it’s about what can sell most in the market. In the midst of all this, it is upon all conscious and responsible artists who look beyond the commercial to work in refining arts and music. Apart from entertaining audiences, music is a powerful medium to communicate values and social messages. In these times where heinous crimes against humanity are being committed, we as artists – Muslims or non-Muslims, British or non-British – have a duty to use this medium to bring some sanity to this world of unrest, fear, violence, terror and war. Human life and dignity are values that should be cherished and championed by all. Had you listened carefully to the songs in my latest album which is actually entitled ‘My Ummah’ before hastily passing judgements, you would have noticed my modest attempt at addressing issues facing the global Muslim community – such as regaining our lost legacy in all spheres of human life, oppression in different parts of the Muslim world, Aids, landmines, poverty and freedom to wear the hijab.
This leads me to another important issue which you raised – that of identity and culture. Who are we? How do we define ourselves? What do we stand for? Let me remind you again – I am a British Muslim. Proud to be Muslim and proud to be British! Why? Because this is what Islam teaches me to be – loyal towards my faith and my country. Throughout our rich history, wherever Muslims settled they adopted and fused the best aspects of the local culture/society with Islamic teachings and traditions. As Dr. Umar Faruq Abdallah, a leading American Muslim scholar and thinker writes in ‘Islam the Cultural Imperative’:
In history, Islam showed itself to be culturally friendly and, in that regard, has been likened to a crystal clear river. Its waters (Islam) are pure, sweet, and life-giving but—having no color of their own—reflect the bedrock (indigenous culture) over which they flow. In China, Islam looked Chinese; in Mali, it looked African. Sustained cultural relevance to distinct peoples, diverse places, and different times underlay Islam’s long success as a global civilization.
At a time when leading Muslim scholars and thinkers have reached an advanced stage in crystallising theories of citizenship and positive integration into Western societies, any discussion of renouncing parts of our identity is simply ridiculous, dangerous and destructive – especially for someone who has no other homeland. Such emotional fist-pumping and chest-pounding about renouncing our British identity may seem attractive to a minority of Muslim youth, but as Muslims in positions of influence like yourself, we should not play to these base instincts. Rather, we should try to be more far-sighted and responsible in our discourse and not sacrifice this in the pursuit of tabloid-style sensationalist journalism.
Do you not see the Prophet of Islam shedding tears whilst migrating from Makkah – his beloved homeland to Madina despite the persecution he suffered at the hands of its people. Britain is my home. I was raised here as a child, I went to school here, most of my friends – Muslims and non-Muslims - are British and my earliest as well as fondest memories are rooted here. Does being British mean I take pride in the oppressive and exploitative colonial past of Britain? Does it mean I support the British invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq? Does it mean I support the Anti-Terrorism Act? Does it mean I support the erosion of civil liberties and human rights? Of course not! But Yvonne, let us be fair and not forget that it was in Britain that the world witnessed the largest anti-war demonstration – a testimony to the moral consciousness of the British public. I too was in that demonstration voicing my discontent over the foreign policies of our government. Although we have our fair share of racism, Islamophobia, discrimination, under-representation – and in no way am I claiming that we live in a utopian society, but I still believe that British society is amongst the most tolerant, open, liberal, multi-cultural and inclusive societies in the world. We don’t need to go far but Muslims in the Continent would envy the liberties and opportunities that British Muslims take for granted. Actually the real debate that needs to take place is how are we to shape this emerging British / European / Western Muslim identity and what direction it should take. I see my work a humble contribution towards that end.
You are critical of my mention that the Metropolitan Police is inclusive of Muslims. By God, who are you depending on to protect and safeguard our streets? Yes, there is no doubt that the Metropolitan Police have committed a series of grave mistakes and blunders – the recent Forest Gate incident is one such example and the Police must be held fully accountable for their actions. But we as Britons and Muslims have a religious and civic obligation to help maintain a safe and secure Britain. This actually raises serious questions about the participation of British Muslims not just in the Metropolitan Police but in mainstream civil society. We have three options as a community: [1] To assimilate and lose our cultural, ethnic and even religious roots. [2] To ghettoise and divorce ourselves from society and face extermination. [3] To positively integrate and contribute to society whilst remaining loyal to both faith and country. I – like the vast majority Muslims – have chosen option three. We need to build trust and partnerships with civil institutions and engage with them. This path entails that we be active members in our communities and societies; that we participate at all levels of society from politics to sports, from academia to arts, from business to media; that we reserve and exercise the right of dissent and criticism; that we join our fellow citizens in building a safe, peaceful, tolerant and pluralistic society that embodies the values of freedom and justice. Thus I commend you for standing in the last European Elections, General Elections and the recent Council Elections as a candidate in order to get your views heard, to make an impact, and to represent British people – although I hope you have better luck next time. Positive engagement – not anarchist ranting -– is the path we must tread.
It is true that the state of the global Muslim community is saddening but are we meant to live in perpetual grieving and lamenting and dress in black? Despite all the oppression and persecution suffered by the Prophet, he would always find time to celebrate the different joyful moments in life such as marriages, births, Eids and other happy occasions. He, peace and blessings of God be upon him, also found time to enjoy poetry and even had appointed a personal poet – the notable companion Hassan ibn Thabit.
Maintaining balance and adopting the middle way is the key in these troubled times of ours. Extremism and extremists have no place in Islam and in our civil societies. “Perished are the extremists” is a famous Prophetic tradition. Extremism is not a problem unique to Islam. Every religion, every way of life, every ideology has its puritans and those willing to distort and misinterpret it to meet their own agenda. And these are no different to those that commit acts of terror, who preach extremism, and who sow seeds of hatred in the name if Islam. There is no denying that Muslims in places like Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir and Chechnya are facing oppression and tragedy every day, and both the Muslim world and the West need to come together to solve these problems in the greater interest of humanity. Western governments in particular must understand that to help the majority of Muslims defeat the minority of extremists, they must assist us in eradicating the daily humiliation faced by Muslims across many parts of the world. Ending this humiliation is the only way forward for us.
You have every right to criticise and disagree with me or anyone else for that matter, and I always welcome any advice and constructive criticism for I know my defects and shortcomings are many. I am guided by the ancient wisdom which states ‘May God have mercy on the one who shows me my defects – for that is the best gift he could give me.’ However, in the Islamic tradition there are adab (ethics) of criticism and disagreement. I know you wrote your article with sincerity and zeal, but on a more personal level, I was deeply pained and saddened by the hostile tone and the vulgar style of your language that was brimming with sarcasm and was clearly un-Islamic, indecent and a gross violation of the beautiful teachings of our beloved Prophet who said “I was not sent except to perfect your manners.” Using words such as “astagfirullah dude,” “lap-dancing,” ‘whooping and dancing,” and describing the volunteer stewards as “pipe cleaners” and “bulldozers” are inappropriate to say the very least. What shocked and even angered me was the way you shamelessly insulted our pure innocent sisters who were supporting a charity concert by describing them as “fluffers”! (Incidentally, these very sisters managed to raise over £100,000 for orphans all over the world.) I – like the vast majority of those who read your article – was blissfully ignorant about the very existence of this disgusting obscene word, and I would question the wisdom of introducing it to the vocabulary of your readers. As to my performances, I always consciously endeavour to be responsible, respectable, modest and dignified on stage.
It has been my approach that whenever personal criticism is levelled at me I ignore it and get on with my work, as my philosophy in life is to build and not destroy, and to unite not divide. However, on this occasion I felt duty-bound to respond because of the dangerous ideas and notions contained in your article. Yvonne, let us work together as fellow Muslims and Britons in building a better future for our community and all human beings and strive to make our world a safer, more peaceful, tolerant and prosperous place.
Yours faithfully,
Sami Yusuf
MashaAllah, he is great. We should take him as an example. May Allah
bless our brother and grant him everything he wants.
Lets stop the opinions and justifications and get back to Quraan and Sunnah!!!!
Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v:
Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari:
that he heard the Prophet saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ Allah
will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection.”
Allahu Akbar!!!!!!!!!
see? it’s true, good will ALWAYS triumph over evil!!! insha’Allah
. 
thanx bro.Haseeb
man ur so lucky, i take the heat, u get nice comments
salam aalaykum dear beloved brother sami yusuf and all muslims in everywhere…firstly I respect your viewpoint about music in islamic culture…but dear sami have you ever heard about hadith of our beloved Prophet Muhammed
about people who will make music hallal ..it is hadith sahih …that mean that music actually is haram…dear sami I love you and I respect you..if you really love Allah 
and you love our beloved Prophet Muhammed 
…you want to join him in paradise…you want to see him and to touch his honourable hands…to please him in life in hereafter..dear sami..you have to obey him in everything in your life …every action every each moment…please brother…think again about wat you really do..is it good or not…besides this your voice is very very very beatiful and wonderful it touches our heart before ears…words are wonderful …so why you have to use musical instruments…you needn’t dear sami…at the end I hope that my humble message will be heard by our beloved brother sami yusuf…We advise you because we love you and we respect you very much..may Allah 
bless you dear..all of you …All ummah…salam aalaykum
your beloved sister rahma
our beloved prophet teaches us to follow him in our life in order to be with him in paradise god willing…to do what he teaches us and to avoid anything he warns us of it this is the true love dear sami….again dear sami avoid anything could …………..please
your beloved sister rahma
I don´t want to say something wrong, but I also don´t understand why music should be haram. I read this script of Yusuf Islam on Haseeb´s site and it seems to be very logical and other scholars also say that music is healthy.
When white people convert to Islam, it worries me
boy that was long- but a good read.i found sister Yvonne’s article quite harsh and
at the language used but Sami responded in a very good manner, very polite and respectful.
good on ya
offcourse, politeness is what people to listen to, lesson of the day.
If you want your opinions to be stated be in the most respectful manner ever.
I think Sami Yusuf should not be blamed about the hijabi girls acting this way.
Whether or not he uses musical instruments in his singing nasheeds is controversial. They seem nice but I dont agree with it.
Loving the land you come from is important, however, I am not sure if this applies to non-muslim lands.
Certainly, loyalty could be in correcting the mistakes or telling the truth or advising your land to do the right thing.
However, loyalty to God or Islam comes before loyalty to any land, be it muslim or non-muslim. You know, if Jehova’s Witnesses don’t get bad rep for doing this then why should we?
Jehova Witnesses don’t go around saying I am proud to be American, they don’t stand up for the pledge, they don’t participate in military excursions, then why do we, muslims
who have also similar reasons or belief in this aspect get branded a 5th column.
How many African Americans do you know that would have been proud to be Americans in the 1960s?
Better yet, how many non-Americans do you know that if they saw an African American in their country would think, he is an American.
If you travel to the world as a muslim outside of USA or England or whatever, will the world see you as an American as a British, or simple as a Muslim; maybe a middle easterner, maybe a pakistani.
It is kinda like the Invisible Man.
Come on people, you guys are Brown, Arab, Black.
Don’t try to be White.
Sami Yusuf is pure beauty…..I love the way he wrote his response with such grace, intelligence n courtesy.
Alot of the Taliban’s craziness seems to have rubbed off on Yvonne Ridley
I’M GOING TO SYRIA SOON. DOES ANYONE WANT ME TO TAKE/BRING ANYTHING? 0==(D)
i agree with usma and ahmed zihni. Its an irony that a born Muslim has to bring the less regimental view (if u like) to a convert/revert.
Whatever sister Yvonne’s opinion was, which is an opinion meaning a basis of interpretation, the way she presented it shocked me. Such a beautiful faultless reply by Sami Yusuf.
I really hope pray swaying-towards-OTT-extreme views is controlled, as she is a significant mouthpiece for Muslims.
oh yeah also forgot to commend mecca2madina. What a good idea it was to respond with a rap. big up!
“When white people convert to Islam, it worries me”
“Don’t try to be White.”
It’s always a pleasure to see people generalizing, especially if then they pretend other people to not generalize reguarding them….
i agree with what your saying ana. however, i understand and I’m sure u probably can what was trying to be said. Personally, I have seen certain ‘converts’ (white is the nonsensical word to use, as white people can be born in a Muslim family and also white is so generic, English? American? Italian? mix?),who have gone to an extreme end of Islam, where it can provide extra detriment to Islam’s name. Non-muslims think they have been taken over by this ultra cult movement, when Islam is as humanist a religion as can be. That is when I get worried too, for Islam’s sake.
Mostly, and the most pleasing things to see is the wonderful reformation of a character (whatever background)when someone chooses to become a humble Muslim, with full akhlaq (manners) and adaab and thats when I am the most satisfied.
If we just stopped labelling people the world would have been a better place.
Think before you speak.
‘ Whoever believes in Allah
and the day of judgement shall speak good or keep quite’
If we truely love the deen whats stopping us to implement it?
Salamu Alikum,
Firstly a note to Ahmed Zihni for his:
“Alot of the Taliban’s craziness seems to have rubbed off on Yvonne Ridley”
Akhee this is backbiting and to be avoided in future.
SWT say in the Qur’an:
—–
Secondly, just becuase Sister Yvonne’s article was a bit ‘direct’ and had a few harsh words does not neccessarily mean she is ‘Extreme’.
—–
Thirdly with regards to Music does Allah
“And of mankind are those who purchase idle talks to mislead (others) from the Path of Allah
”.
This has been interpretated by many ‘Ulamah including ibn Abbas RA, Mujaahid (see tafsir at-Tabari), Hasan Al-Basri (see tafsir ibn Kathir) amongst many other scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah that it is revealed with regards to MUSIC and SINGING where here the words “idle talk” refers to all speech that contradivts the way of a muslim such as gossiping, singing, backbiting, slandering and all other forms of speech that leads to disobedience.
Then we have many ahadith including the one where Rasulallah SAW said:
“Among my Ummah there will be people who permit zinaa, silk, alcohol and musical instruments….” related in Bukhari.
So why still go about this music business? Also lets look at the harms of music. It leads to waste of time, leads to over praising of the singers as both br Sami and s. Yvonne agreed to and we all agree, waste of money with can be spent giving to charity then buying CDs but most importantly is acts as a diversion from the Qur’an.
again: MUSIC DIVERTS FROM THE QUR’AN.
How many of us rather than listening to the Beautiful words and memorising the Speech of Allah
SWT we instead waste our times with music? I challenge everyone that every minute they listen to Music they go and listen to themselve recite the Qur’an an equal number of times. We walk down the streets singing such songs but yet we dont race to gain the rewards for each letter we recite along the same journey.
Respect to both Br. Sami and St. Yvonne.
I urge everyone to research or re-research this issue of music with an openmind and without letting thier own desire get in the way. SubhanAllah I would love to listen to music but i know its haram- cz we worship Allah
SWT not our won desires.
SubhanAllah we need to change ourselves and our condition so that Allah
SWT may change it for us, Ameen.
Ameen! Abu Ilyas perfect point I agree 100%. Also I think that if someone wants to listen to music then thats their own business. But dont try to claim that Haraam is Halaal. Thats worse than listening to Music thats an innovation. and an innovation is a misguidance which leads to the Hell Fire. And Alllah knows best
Wouldn’t that mean that all the music is exactly the same (so it makes no difference if one sings about God or about… ok you know the usual pop/hiphop themes :-S) and that all the people have exactly the same perception/way of living the music? :-S
And people like hamza yusuf must be bad aswell and yusuf estes because they are white.
Fear Allah
Asalamualikum
Insha’Allah
that is the end to this heated debate over ‘pop culture’ in Islam, an issue which was so heavily argued simply because it is an issue, even if it was presented in a vulgar manner. I really think Sami Yusuf responded in a very articulate manner, something which was missing from Yvonne Ridley’s article (even if it is her job to provoke people to respond). I think that what we really need to do is look at ourselves and see if we really are doing something wrong. Rather then spending all our time criticizing each other - if we just take a step back and amend those mistakes that we are making in our own lives then we can start to change society for the better.
Good work with the site by the way, it looks like K2 and the Islamic praise plugin have really worked for you!
Fatwa on Music, Muscians and Shari’ah by Mahmud Shaltut, the late Shaykh of
Al-Azhar
[Shaykh Mahmud Shaltut (1960) was the rector of Al-Azhar University,
probably the most prestigious academic religious institution in the
contemporary Muslim world and a jurist by profession]
The fatwa was written in response to a letter of enquiry about the very
subject of this paper. The fatwa appeared in a collection of legal rulings
by Shaltut on various religious, economic, political and social questions.
After lamenting on the lack of consensus on this issue through centuries,
the author repeats the oft-stated conditional approval of music, basing his
approval on the following four arguments.
First, he maintains that listening to or performing music, like tasting
delicious foods, feeling soft cloths, smelling pleasant odours, seeing
beautiful sights, or achieving knowledge of the unknown, are all instinctive
pleasures with which God has endowed man. They all have the effect of
calming when one is disturbed, of relaxing when one is tired, of refreshment
in mental or physical exhaustion and of rekindling the participant with
energy. God, Shaykh Shaltut argues, has created these instincts in human
beings for a good purpose, and therefore it may even be impossible for them
to perform their duties in this life without the aid of such instincts and
pleasures which help them reach their goals. He concludes that it is
therefore impossible that the Shari’ah be against these instincts and
pleasures. Instead the law has for purpose the disciplining of the instincts
for pleasure and the channelling of their use so that they can work
constructively together to achieve higher moral ends.
His Second argument is that the Shari’ah, as well as the Qur’an on which it
is based, seeks the Golden Mean, thus preventing from exaggeration either on
the side of no-use, or over-use of music.
Thirdly, he turns to the arguments of his predecessors, the jurists who have
given opinions on sama’ or “listening”. He summarises that they permitted
music whenever it had a suitable context, as it does when used as
accompaniment for war, the hajj, weddings and eid celebrations. He follows
this with reference to a work by Shaykh Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulusi
(1641-1731). In a work by that 17th century jurist of the Hanafi madhhab,
its author argues that almost every prohibition (tahrim) of musiqa in the
hadith literature is coupled with or conditioned by the mention of alcohol,
signing girls, dissoluteness (fusuq) or adultery. Both Shaltut and
al-Nabulusi therefore feel that the prohibition is based on the context and
associations, and is not a reaction against the music itself. The Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) and many respected Muslims of the early period of Islamic
history have indeed listened to music and attended sessions of innocent
performance. Therefore, he concludes, as did many of his predecessors, that
the prohibition does not result from condemnation of music per se, but from
its use under the wrong circumstances or with morally debilitating
associations.
The Fourth and closing point made in Shaykh Shaltut’s fatwa on music repeats
Qur’anic argument also used by earlier protagonists of the use of musiqa
(al-Ghazali). Here the jurist cautions against the reckless forbidding of
what God did not forbid. Such false attributions to God, which he condemns
as slander and falsehood (iftira), are countered by Surah Al-A’raf, verse
32-33
[32, Say: Who is there to forbid the beauty which God has brought forth for
His creatures, and the good things among the means of sustenance?” Say:
“They are lawful in the life of this world unto all who have attained to
faith - to be theirs alone on resurrection Day.” Thus clearly do We spell
out these messages unto people of innate knowledge! 33, Say: “Verily, my
Sustainer has forbidden only shameful deeds, be they open or secret, and
every kind of sinning and unjustified envy, and the ascribing of divinity to
aught beside Him - since He has never bestowed any warrant therefore from on
high - and the attributing unto God of aught of which you have no
knowledge].
Shaykh Shaltut thus concludes that the general rule is that music is
permissible; its prohibition is the accident or exception caused by improper
usage.
Asalaam,
Haleema Nurudeen, at the beginning of the replys has got it right to the dot. Subhanallah, REALLY if the muslims fall into disagreement about an issue, are we not commanded to refer it back to Allah
an his messenger, and does not Allah 
command the prophet (SAW) “Say, if you love Allah 
, than follow me, Allah 
will love you and forgive you your sins”. From this ayah, is it not telling us that you can love Allah 
as much as you want, but if you are not following the sunnah of the prophet (SAW) than Allah 
will not love you. THIS IS SERIOUS. The Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim, have specific hadith relating to the HARAM of music, and indeed will there arise a peeople who will seek to make lawful the use of musical instruments. And Allh also forbids indecency in the Qur’an. I came from a bad backround, and i was disgusted to see Muslims acting and talking like animals, and i threatened to smack a guy round the face becuase of his ‘friendly’ chat to a sister. Brother Sami talks about the etiquette of speach and mannerisms, but he neglects the the ruling on the beard and dress, also promoting a kufr country and telling us to be more involved. Maybe if i was being sucked upto and recieving money by the bucket loads, i would think differently. He picks and he chooses. Alot of people and a lot of sisters are revolted, and i urge brothers and sisters to look into the Quran and Sunnah, and understand the dunya is meant to be tough, so if it isnt then there is something wrong. Jannah is what we strive for, full of hardship and sacrifice along the way. Not Jahannam, full of ease and pleasure. i LOVE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS FOR THE SAKE OF Allah 
, AND AM ONLY SAYING THIS BEACAUSE IF I DON’T I WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE. Wasalam
Asalam,
jus wanna say big up to Abu Ilyas, my BRADA. aND Also wana say the egyptian guy sounds kinda dodgy. Does that mean i’m aloud to smoke pot, or drink wine in moderation beacause it is “pleasing of mankind” and feels kinda nice? What about gossip and dancing? He is ONE dodgy geeza, that shaykh. Pleaze ma bradas and sistas, go back to sunnah and Quran. at this rate where gonna start saying hello instead of salaams or AMEN instead of alhumdulilah. I think people like the eazy life and wana find any excuse to compromise. Amen… ooops! Wasalm.
assalamo alaikum
bless him. And how can you say music is haram, while what he is singing about is Allah 
and the prophet and about YOU brothers and Sisters!! YES he loves you guys and wants the best for his Ummah, and im so saddened to see how you guys have reacted. and yes about the hadith, if you didnt know the prophet said it at that time, because during that age music singing and dancing were associated with other haram acts, but what is so haram about bro sami singing about Allah 
and his prophet and showing how much he loves them? Again, this was my point of view and i think we should all be open-minded at times.
bless
im very saddened to see when brothers and sisters come up and say, “whites shouldnt become muslims”!!!! actually im alittle frustrated, if we’re truly claiming to be “true” muslims, what happened to inviting others to Islam? Islam is a UNIVERSAL religion unlike others, it invites everyone to come and join this beautiful Ummah that it has created. Secondly Yvonne Riddley didnt write that article because she was white, or black, or hispanic, she wrote it because as a HUMAN everyone has a different view point and perspective, and yes many agree with her and many dont. But i as a HUMAn also have my own view point, i love bro sami yusuf and his songs, and to tell you the truth, his songs INSPIRED me to look at Islam with a closer view,may Allah
Allah
I agree with brother abu ilyas, and brother Mizaan, Allah
will not give victory to the muslims until they come back to Allah 
AND his Prophet (saw). All this talk of opinions, makes it easier to avoid obligations and practices that will actually benifit us in this life and the hereafter. I don’t think dressing lik a non muslim is the key to salvation. Also in one of brother sami’s song, there is a sister wearing a cap in a hospital and you could see her hair partially. Does that mean i’m allowed to do the same? He does have a voice, but Allah 
gave that to him, and he diddn’t strive for it. i urge brothers and sisters to not compromise and come back to Allah 
fully. I’ve seen that it is only the corrupt and partially practicing muslims that big up sami, not the fully practicing ones.
QURAAAN AND SUNNAAAHHH!!!!!!
My God how many times, does it have to be said!
BIDA BIDA BIDA BIDA!
salam
knows whats going on in Sami’s heart, and suspicious is a sickness we have to get rid of it. So as for me, i chose to respect everyone and think of them as how their actions speak. So please, dont say things out of hatred or suspicioun, because you dont KNOW what is really happening during a person’s life, and we’re not here to judge, we’re here to support the truth and fight for the truth, thats all we can Do.
bless
Alright i have one more comment to make bros and sis’s, please lets not judge whats in people’s heart for we dont know, only Allah
Allah
wasalam
bismillah
assalamu alaikum
I said this in another blog and I’ll say it again here;
exactly where does it say in Islam that we should be loyal to our religion AND country? I know it says religion, but where does it say country? Or is Sami making up his own shariah now?
As for the police, what would the Muslim police do? protect what law? Let us assume for a moment that like France, the UK passed a law banning hijab in schools. Would a Muslim police arrest our sisters for wearing a hijab? This is exactly why Muslims should not join the police force in a non-Muslim country, because they will then be protecting and promoting non-Islamic laws. It is one thing to try and live your life under an un-Islamic regime, it is a completely other thing to protect and promote it.
My image of Sami Yusuf went even lower after reading his letter. He’s a sly snake if I’ve ever seen one.
astaghfurullah, traitors like him really make me sick.
Oh and maybe Sami should slow down with all the photos he’s taking of himself and vomiting all over the place. I dare say he is enjoying all the attention.
wassalam
Once again, how can we expect to achieve success when instead of worshipping Allah
we worship our own desires. Its true that some ’scholars’ say that musical instruments are halal but remember that we do not blindly follow anyone but rather we listen to what they say with SINCERITY with their proofs brought forth and have faith in Allah 
SWT that He may Guide us to the truth and then act upon it.
Here lets make a clear distinction between nasheeds and music. If someone wants to sing then let them sing but leave out the music. There are plenty who sing nasheeds without the music- or even better, why not send blessings upon the Prophet SAW and praise Allah
SWT like He is supposed to (e.g. SubhanAllah wa Bihamdihi, etc). So Z.M.M, with regards to your question of whats wrong with br, Sami singing about how much he loves Allah 
SWT and His Prophet. No one got a problem with him singing but everyone and the whole ‘Ulamah of Ahlus-Sunnah disagree with his method of doing do. As Muslims we don’t do the robbin hood act of performing a good act through haraam means (like his stealing from the rich and giving to the poor).
Ahmed, for your (as quoted in the fatawa):
“The Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) and many respected Muslims of the early period of Islamic history have indeed listened to music and attended sessions of innocent performance. Therefore, he concludes, as did many of his predecessors, that the prohibition does not result from condemnation of music per se, but from its use under the wrong circumstances or with morally debilitating associations”
Is this in reference to the hadith of ‘Aesha RA who when Abu Bakr entered upon her, Rasulallah SAW and two young girls at the time of eid who were singing about war he exclaimed: “Musical instruments of the Shaytaan in the house of the Messenger!” and then the Prophet SAW said to Abu Bakr (RA) “leave them alone for every nation has its Eid and this is our Eid, the people of Islam”
Firstly, bear in mind that the two young girls are unaccountable and ‘Aiesha is the Prophet’s wife so their voices may be heard amongst all present (in the hadith).
Secondly, Eid only comes twice in a year and is not a regular thing. The Prophet SAW only allowed them as it was Eid showing that it wasn’t a habit for the Prophet and neither the pious predecessors to listen to such. And Thirdly, notice the exclamation of Abu Bakr RA, (the next best scholar after Rasulallah SAW as confirmed by ahaadith). Also, the daff and clapping hands (as they were doing) was permitted for WOMEN and not men. For a man to do so is IMITATION (like not having a beard) and therefore haraam.
This hadith amongst others is always brought forth by those claiming music to be halaal and SubhanAllah they don’t realise that in their futile attempts to deceive themselves, they actually produce an evidence AGAINST themselves.
Music is HARAAM.
So now where’s the doubt?
DEAREST BROTHER OR SISTER WHOEVER EXPRESSED THEIR WORRY WITH THIS REMARK “WHEN WHITES CONVERT IT WORRIES ME” I REALLY ADMONISH YOU TO HOLD YOUR TONGUE OR FINGER IN THIS CASE TO SAY SUCH A RIDICULOUS, THOUGHTLESS, BASELESS AND PREJIDUCE REMARK. WHY DOES IT WORRY YOU? OUR BELOVED PROPHET (PBUH) WOULD DETEST SUCH REMARK. IT SHOULD BRING A SMILE ON YOUR FACE NOT WORRY. Allah
HAS CREATED PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENCES IN ORDER TO RECOGNISE EACH OTHER, IF Allah 
THE GREATEST WILL ONLY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PIETY AND EVIL AND NOTHING ELSE, HENCE REFFERING BACK TO YOUR REMARK WHY SHOULD WE BE SO STEREOTYPICAL?, WE LIVE IN MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY SO PLEASE THINK TO PROMOTE PEACE AND KEEP SUCH REMARKS TO YOURSELF IT ONLY ENTAILS NARROWMINDEDNESS.
LOOK AT YUSUF ESTES FOR EXAMPLE LOVELY GUY AND ‘WHITE’
WASALAAM SORRY IF I OFFEND YOU THATS NOT MY INTENTION I JUST FELT DUTI-BOUNT TO REPLY.
wassalamu alykum
le guide encore plus et le protége.Amin
désolé je ne parle pas parfaitement l’anglais mais je voulais juste dire que si tout le monde étaient comme Sami Yusuf le monde serrait parfait. Je pense au’il est sur le bon chemin que Allah
wassalamua lykum we rahmetullah
to brother abdul rahmani hilmi
your language towards brother sami was appauling regardless of the reason.
be the judge on who is the “traitor” its not fair, your comments incites hatred islam is about love and peace.
instead of being so cynnical and sceptical towards him and using such fowl language lets look at our own flaws and let Allah
your adamant on your thoughts on sami but there is a nicer way our prophets way (pbuh)
so lets work to do so and encourage each other love each other regardless.
hafiz
your attack on him seemed to me to be on a personal level,
it really hurts me when fellow muslims squabble over these issues so please be nice, in our hearts including sami’s we all want to please Allah
Allah
To Sis/BRo Ruhi : I totally agree with you!!
You know this is what i was thinking, if you show someone respect and intergirty you’re doing them a favor, but when without full knowledge of a specific person you start discriminatng them, you’re doing something called “Tohamt” or accusing them of doing something that you do not even know about. Suspicioun…it is always about suspicioun, isnt it? Can any of you, please answer and tell me, how do you know what is going on in Sami Yusuf’s heart or even the closest person that you love more than anything…the point is YOU DONT, so dont JUDGE! are we here to judge, are we gonna be asking questions on the Day of judgement?NO, Allah
SWT is the Only One, and He is the only One who knows what the hearts contain.
also said to spread Islam, do you know how many people have converted to Islam after hearing what Bro Sami had to say? Unfortunately, no because we only look at one side of the story. Some scholars even say that we have to use modern technology to spread Islam, it can media,music, and etc.
has made lawful for him!
bless
You know there are different opinions on music, both from Ah-ul Sunnah and the Shia, its not the matter of ONE person to say if it is Haram or not, Prophet Mohammad
Anyways, have you even listened to Sami Yusuf’s songs, did they bring you “satanic” thoughts, or Pure Islamic thoughts, well as for me it was an inspiration! Yes i admit that music is sometimes used for haram reasons, and i dont intend to listen to those songs that take advantage of music, but again lets be open-minded, theres a good and bad side for everything, one of the issues could be music. If we can use the good side of music, and spread our message, why not give it a try? Use your minds, please, when things are used for bad reasons they are haram, but when things are used for good efforts, then lets take advantage of it and make the best of it!
Brother Abu Iliyas, if you tell me that listening to music is haram, then from now on we should all close the windows so that the canaries beautiful melody shouldnt be heard, i mean thats also music to our ears, isnt it? Even when reciting the Quran, some reciters have a beautiful tone in their recitation and that is also a form of art. whether we want it or not, music comes in different shapes and forms, so you’re telling me when you were an infant your mother didnt have to sing you lullaby, it was a form of music. Music is a part of art, and art is a form of expression and communication, and we draw the line here, that in which boundary and limits are we supposed to use these expressions and communications? and the question of which haram and halal fall into, is how a man can maintain what Allah
Scholars main point of saying music is “haram”, is that Muslims shouldnt lend their ears to something that will distract them from their Islamic duties, but what if it brings them closer to their duties? And, i hope inshallah we will all open our eyes and ears and know that times have changed, and so did our surroundings. And in order to let the truth prevail, we shall too.
Allah
wasalam
hahahaha haseeb u takin the heat now LOL, i knew it had to come
anywyas to all the haters, keep hatin, cuz it doesnt do u any good
;( :s
(6) 
0==(D) :dizzy: 
Salaamualakum, wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu.
i eat poop.
its tasty.
Assalamu Alaikum
“jami yuhib al-jamal” so try to not judge.wassalam
Mashallah we say in Tunisia “chapeau”
great comments I found yvonne’s artical so painful and Iam sure that sami yusuf’s letter have the deep trace on her.
Besides, sami’s songs refresh our memories really he try to build a new society for better future.
Iam with brother Z.M.M therefor we should respect all the view points and be open-minded.
I found all the brothers who disagree with sami’s opinion use bad and unrespect language.
Really it hurts me so much. Moreover there are different opinions on music and Allah
wow….look what ali c. started…anyways, looks like jay-z and outlandish are gonna have to come off that oh-so magnificent playlist…time to input some zain bikha and sami yusuf(without the iinstruments of course).
Salamu `Alaykum
It is really useless to try and debate (much less “prove”) the prohibition of music when there is clear khilaf on the matter. Ibn `Ajiba for example explicitly states that there is no ijma’ that music is haram, and many of the fuqaha explicitly approved of it such as Shaykh `Abd al Ghani Nabulisi the great 20th century Hanafi Imam (provided there was no munkar associated with it).
Similarly, in the Shafi`i school Imam Ramili - the Imam of the late Shafi`i school - explicitly allows the flute.
Sure, the above opinions may be considered “minority positions” yet it gives some leeway on the issue. It lifts the duty of us going around condemning other Muslims who do indulge this act, Alahmdulilah.
Finally, the relied upon position of all the schools are known and this is indeed the way of taqwa.
Lastly, in regards to loving or having pride in ones country Sayyidi Gibril said once:
“There are many more proofs to the effect that love of country is a praiseworthy trait on condition of right -nasiha- as opposed to the pagan maxim ‘My country right or wrong.’”
The above is established in numerous hadith.
Wasalam
Salam guys,
guess what?? Apparently, Yvonne has admitted not even being present at the concert!! Can you blieve this?? ALL the defaming, rudeness, accussations based on heresay????????
That is sick if its true she didnt attend. Also,
we see the following opinions through out this discouse:
1. salafi point of veiw (music is haraaaaaaaaam) yeah got your point
2. Sufi’s from Sunnipath (Music is haram except there is a difference of opinion, how clever of you guys)
3. Middle Path - There is a difference of opinion. Music is halal with conditions. However, if you wish to avoid it go ahead and avoid.
Thats how i sum it up.
Salamu `Alaykum
Ahmed, Im sure you do know that your categories are very subjective. According to you, the vast majority of the `ulema as well as the relied-upon position in all four schools are somehow “not” the “Middle Path”.
But what exactly is this “Middle Path” we talk about? Is it taking two extreme opinions and cutting a line down the middle? I dont think so.
Wasalam
Salam All,
guess what?? Apparently, Yvonne has admitted not even being present at the concert!! Can you blieve this?? ALL the defaming, rudeness, accussations based on heresay???????? Wallahi, the Ummah and the world would be MUCH better of without Salafis and their sympathisers!
How shameful it is that the very same people who were supposedely “peaceful” during this whole argument and claimed that its the people arguing against Music that are abit hardcore, that these very same people are now attacking our brothers and sister showing that they infact are the hardcores.
You lot act as if “salafis” are the cause of all trouble. How stupid, ignorant and arrogant. Then all of a sudden those who claim music is halal are the “middle path”. How do we define the Middle path? IT IS ISLAM. Whatever Islam allows and prohibits is the middle path and any other way is either one of the two extremes.
Now let me ask these same people who think they know everything about salafis and attack them, what is a salafi?
Brother, ‘WE’ who follow the ‘Middle Path’ are not arrogant, Salafis, Jihadis and ALL their sympathisers are arrogant becuase WE accept diversity and the oopinions of YOUR scholars, but you don’t