Arab Money Remix (Busta Rhymes, P Diddy, T-Pain, Akon…)
Published by Haseeb December 4th, 2008 in MusicAs I found out on Amir’s Site, Busta Rhymes has recently released a remix to his song ‘Arab Money’ featuring P Diddy, Akon, T-Pain, Swizz Beats, Lil’ Wayne, and Ron Browz.
When the original ‘Arab Money’ was released, Amir mentioned how it was insulting to Muslims and Arabs.  I had not heard of the song elsewhere, and after listening to it did not find the original insulting [as a Muslim], as they the chrous was not even arabic but random sounds that just sounded arabic. I did not like the song because of its content - the themes of materialism, ostentation, greed, etc.
However, the remix version of the song features arabic verses (found in the Quran) as it’s chorus. Â It’s chorus is:
 بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم   الØمد لله رب العالمين
This would undoubtedly be insulting to most Muslims [as it is to me] - to feature such beautiful words from The Quran in a profanity-filled rap song, with essentially the same themes as the original [ostentation, greed, materialism, etc.].
What should be noted is that the parts of the song that do feature the arabic verses (the chorus) does not contain any background music (dont know if thats intentional or not). However as Muslims - where there already is a difference of opinion on the permissability of music - there is no difference of opinion regarding the use of profanity and the themes in this song which are undoubtedly un-Islamic. And to use verses from the Quran in such a song is definitely disrespectful and insulting to Muslims
Just to clarify my position before I am unfairly attacked, again, I do agree that the use of those verses in the song is not appropriate. And it is more shameful and appalling that this song probably will be blasted in inappropriate locations over which it will be danced (yes, there is an arab money dance).
However, what should be noted is that some of the rappers in this song (T-Pain, Akon, and supposedly Busta Rhymes and Swizz Beats) are Muslims themselves. I doubt anyone here believes that any of the artists intended to disrespect the Quran - because as Muslims (who do outwardly claim to be Muslim) - they must to some degree have the love of Allah 
in their hearts - and love and respect for his books, especially Al-Quran. Therefore, I sincerely believe they are not intending to mock the Quran - and any arguments suggesting that they are trying to mock the Quran are completely unwarranted.
I just cant imagine how Muslims in clubs, etc. feel when such a song is being played. Even sisters who dont cover, when the Quran is played - cover their hair out of respect for the Quran ; for All Muslims , despite their shortcomings have respect for Al-Quran…. Who knows what effect this song may have on Muslims who are clubbing, dancing, drinking, smoking, etc. - when hearing these verses… Allahualim….
Obviously - we all would love to help guide our Muslim brothers (Akon, T-Pain, etc.) who are undoubtedly a bad influence regarding much of their songs/lyrics. I cannot defend their haraam music - as they contain haraam content - and do unfortunately set a bad example for so many young people. Nonetheless, they are our brothers in Islam and we should pray for their guidance. Look at Dave Chappelle for example - i cant think of any person who espoused greater fitnah in his work- but Mashallah he gave up his multi million dollar contract for the sake of the deen.
And on a side note - I dont think this song should be used as any reason to give merit to the argument that music is haraam. Yes - this song is not proper, but there are many great hip hop songs by Muslim rappers like Mos Def and Lupe Fiasco which I am proud of - and are very meaningful and can be a great source of dawah, inspiration, reflection of God’s signs (ayat), and even rememberance of God. We, as an American Muslim community - should promote and be proud of such positive music that positively impacts so many of us. However this song - with its vulgarity and promotion of materialism is definitely NOT one of those songs!!!!!
For those of you wondering what the hype is all about and want to hear the song for yourself, you can listen to it here [WARNING: Contains Profanity]
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18 Responses to “Arab Money Remix (Busta Rhymes, P Diddy, T-Pain, Akon…)”
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from: United States us
Pingback on Jan 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 pm
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from: United States us Pingback on Jan 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 am
assalams,
im not sure of the intented nature of the song, but i just wanted to amke people aware this was not the first time that swiss beats has used arabic verses in his songs, at the start of a rap song by the game called “game time”, produced by swiss beats, it starts with the shada and part way through it was interrupted with gun fire and the shada trails off. Since hearing this i searched for a reason for this but found none, is swiss beats really a muslim or is he just trying to offend muslims? Im guessing he also produced this song since he is a producer
asalamlikom
i undersatnd were you are comming from…but at the end of the day these are the words of Allah
and they are sacred they shold no be abused in such a manner and i agree with the post above what is the need to add these sacred words to the remix……whats the understanding behind i just domnt get it…….may Allah 
guide me and them who have produced such nosence.
jazakallah khayr brotehr Haseeb for highlighting this
asalamalikum,
I also stand strong with this descion. Also, hypotheticaly, how would Catholics like if Muslims started rapping and using curses next to the writing of their religous beliefs. Same with Judism or any other religion for that matter.
i love busta rhymes
yeah swizz beats did not produce this song ron browz did hes the main producer of the song i actually was talking to one of his bestfriends that used to produce with him before he became so famous and he told me he was the one that mainly produced it
i lyk the song but i dumno man
As Salaamu Alaikum,
getting Quran into the memory of people. Especially in the youth. I have alot of friend trying to say that part, so Mishallah! Allah 
always knows best and Inshallah Busta Rhymes will not produce anything else like this.
I would first like to say I like the song, however being a Muslim understand that the chorus being derived from the Holy Quran is not ok. I would also like to inform that Busta Rhymes is a Muslim. Now all of us are not as learnt as the other however, Ive read responses that Busta has said, and he felt like he was acknowledging the culture being rich and hard working. I feel that instead of bashing him we should teach him, and according to his reaction then we take action. I plan to get in touch with him because he is a close friend to my aunt. I totally disagree with the chorus and understand the sacredness of it. I think he was trying to be creative, but he could have used arabic but not anything Quranic. Inshallah he will understand his wrong and rethink it for the next song. We never know what Allahs work or plans are. This could be away for Allah
Peace
Saudia
Is it true that Busta is from the Nation of Islam - which is why he pronounces بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم الØمد لله رب العالمين differently?????????
Busta Rhymes is Muslim:
The song’s complete garbage so let’s not even talk about that lol but what I found interesting about your post that was different from most of the rants I’ve read about it was:
“I just cant imagine how Muslims in clubs, etc. feel when such a song is being played. Even sisters who dont cover, when the Quran is played - cover their hair out of respect for the Quran ; for All Muslims , despite their shortcomings have respect for Al-Quran…. Who knows what effect this song may have on Muslims who are clubbing, dancing, drinking, smoking, etc. - when hearing these verses… Allahualim….”
SubhanAllah. I wonder if some would suddenly get the fear of Allah
sucked back into their heart as they were dancing…like whoooaaa. And remember Allah 
.
That’s not to say that I’m advocating the song in aaannnyyy way. Just an interesting thought. And maybe some would get really offended. Especially if the whole club was like doing that stupid dance to such pure and exalted words. IMAGINE?! (pukes) Or if some would be like ohh snapp they just represented muslims whooopp representt!!! And start translating it for their friends and think it was cool…
Allahu ‘aalim is right.
ok back to finals.
Assalaamualaikum warehmatullah
Another thing I just thought of. Even though I’m STILL DEFINITELY NOT endorsing this song. :
At least in getting the song stuck in their head, nonmuslims will be saying “Alhamdulillahi rabbil ‘aalameen” and praising the Lord of the worlds!!!
I just think it’s amazing that even when people do inappropriate things, how Allah
’s will is still fulfilled. Allah 
! SubhanAllah.
Like beauty and “ugliness” must all be on the earth or we wouldn’t even know what beauty was. We would be like fish in water…not knowing what we had. But when something “less beautiful” is presented to us, like if you take the fish out of the water and then place it back in, then suddenly we appreciate it and get to finally really experience it. So even when people do ugly things, although they go against fulfilling Allah
’s commands, they are still fulfilling Allah 
’s will in the long run. We’re all obeying Allah 
involuntarily. And Then the voluntary part of obedience is only for our benefit.
So even with this “ugliness” I saw a glimpse of beauty (influenced by the comment you made which I quoted above) and so just wanted to thank you and then share it. Sorry for the long rambling.
salaam
hy guys i wont the original song cuz i wont 2 mak a report 4 d college so i need it audio plez…
this song is nothing and all muslim don’t like it so they need to make new remix
man fuck this song who ever like this song. they fucking playing our god name!
Everyone is ranting and arguing about this song…I dont know why….I understand the religious part with the Muslims and Allah
…but at the same time it’s music that sounds great and makes people dance….Everyone should read the book by Richard Dawkins, “The “GOD” Delusion” it’ll open some of the world’s eyes to see how much religions have torn us apart….If religion wasnt such a big issue this whole blog right now wouldnt be here! It’s so annoying!!!!!!
Salaam wa haleikoum,
Its very disrespectful,very stupid to call yourself muslim,and do something like this. Im not against music,shit I listen to hiphop everyday.I just cant understand how a person , and what’s even worse a muslim makes something like this, Doesnt he understand that it is prohibited and very misplaced?
I dont judge people if they say they are muslim,thats between them and God,i will greet you with a salaam,but this goes beyond far.
I hope they will forbid or ban this ’song’ !
Its a very smart media attracting move,maybe thats the reason.