(The Revival, Official newsletter of muslim youth league (UK) - - - - July/August 1998)
Whether it’s Ronaldo or Shearer, Tupac Shakur or Peter André, Leonardo de Caprio or Louise… these are all the false gods that rule the world today. The identity, values, purpose of life and the role models of Muslims today are dictated by these divine heroes and almighty celebrities. From the dress code to the hair-do and from the language to the attitude of life, these are all copied from their beloved idols.
Why is it that today you see every Tom, Dick and Harry with an ear stud, gold chain and rings, a dodgy hair cut with a mean vandike…..and don’t forget the long leather jacket and the extremely baggy jeans? Now what is all this about? Everyone wants to look ‘bad,’ you have to look ‘hard’…..why? It’s all part of the gangsta image. Icons such as Ice-T, Ice Cube (or is Tea-bag!) and the late Tupac Shakur have shot to fame due to their gangsta rap lyrics which are famous for their half a million ‘F’ words.
Today every respectable youth speaks in the same way and roams the streets in flashy cars playing extra-loud gangsta rap music imitating these so-called models.
Today, smoking weed and roaming the streets in gangs causing chaos is made to look ‘cool’. Muslims today want to be gangstas so they want to do what ever they want because they’re boss. Halaal and Haraam is defined by them, so nothing is prohibited and unlawful unless they decide it to be. This is a lethal and dangerous way of life which will lead to devastating consequences….just ask Tupac!
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If we take popstars such as Liam Gallagher, Louise and Peter André then the followers of these idols are given the idea that life is short so enjoy it. Clubbing and pubbing is the way to live life to the max. These role models portray the image that this life is everything because you only get one chance and that the hereafter is only a myth.
Teenagers into music will know every song of their favourite singer including every detail, from their birth date to their record company, from the car they drive to the toothpaste they use! People today know more about their favourite singer than they do about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and they will know more lyrics than they do surahs in the Qur’an. The lads are fantasising about Louise, Eternal and All-saints whilst the girls (and some boys!) are dreaming about Boyzone, Peter André and Back street boys. As a result Muslims grow up with the western values of materialism and secularism drummed in their heads so that the purpose of life and the need for divine guidance are questioned and neglected.
The extent of materialism is shown by the fact that anyone wearing trainers or tops other than brand names are seen as ‘scrooges’. Because the likes of Ronaldo, Del Piero and Beckham are signed up with big names such Nike and Adidas it feels cool and an honour to wear these brand names which are ridiculously expensive.. if anything at all. Every youngster who grows up wants to be the next Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs. The name will be printed on the back of their shirts and the picture will be on the front. Every piece of merchandise with their name or picture on will be bought. Toilet paper with Ronaldo on will be bought and kept as a souvenir! Interest turns to obsession which as a result turns into worship because you become addicted to it 24 hours a day and it becomes a way of life and in a way …a religion.
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Due to role models such as Tupac and Ronaldo, what is happening is that the Muslims way of life is dictated by their icons. The result of this secular attack is that youngsters are loosing stability and firmness in Allah and the necessity of Deen and Divine guidance. This materialistic and secular attack is saying to the Muslim youth that Islam was revealed 1400 years ago in that specific culture and those circumstances. It is argued now that human reasoning has progressed and now we are living in the age of science and technology. So why do we have to follow a book which was revealed 1400 years ago to pagan society? This has brought doubt and uncertainty in the mind of the Muslim: what is the need for religion and divine guidance? The faith in the existence of God is shattered. The faith in the Holy Prophet is being questioned and replaced by false prophets such as Ronaldo, Tupac, Peter André and other hyped-up celebrities.
Does our creator not clearly state to us the purpose of our creation: ‘We did not create Jinn and humans but to worship me.’ Now let’s look at the word ‘worship’ a little bit closely. Worship here means that all the actions of a Muslim should be according to the will of Allah.
For example, how we dress, act, eat, sleep, work, play, study, drink and generally live our lives. All of these actions constitute worship in the eyes of Allah. If we do each of these things how the Prophet showed us to, then we are worshipping Allah. Each and every aspect of our life should be according to the guidelines set by the creator. Today we live our life according to the will of celebrities and role models, we live according to the style and fashion of the day and we live according to the will of our lust and desires. Every material thing today is given the label of God. Peter André and All Saints are known as sex gods. Ronaldo is known as the god of the football pitch. Barry Davies, a BBC Commentator once said about a Bebeto goal that was set-up by Ronaldo: Bebeto looks to the sky and thanks the God he worships and then goes to Ronaldo and thanks the god on the football pitch.’
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We should stop for a moment and think to ourselves: how am I living my life? Are my days and nights according to Islam? Are my actions, intentions, dress code, language, values and purpose of life according to Islam? If we are true Muslims then the answer to these questions would be yes. But if we are secular, and Muslims just by name, then our whole life will be based around our image, sport, music, sex and worldly gains. Our whole life will be based on role models, icons and heroes.
For a Muslim living in a western society which emphasises living life to the max then it is easy for a Muslim to follow the western way of life and drift away from the Islamic way of life. The problem today is that Islam has been portrayed in a negative way. Nowadays people think Islam is just about worship, prayer, mosque and beards. This is an incorrect and misguiding concept of Islam which gives the idea that Islam is simply a religion which is strict and based on worship and therefore people are put off and decide Islam is not for them.
Firstly, it should be understood that Islam is not a religion like Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, etc, but in fact is a Deen: a complete way of life. Islam deals with each and every aspect of life from social life to cultural, political to economical, and national to international. The Muslims get guidance from divine revelation- the Qur’an and Sunnah.
The Holy Prophet is the only and the best role model, icon and hero for all Muslims and non-Muslims. Today’s celebrities only give you fashion tips and satisfy your desires and offer nothing else. The Prophet (saw) provided us with moral behaviour, moral values and human values.
He gave us etiquette and a pattern of life as a father, as a husband, as a ruler, as a reformer, as a friend, as a neighbour, as a teacher, as a judge, as a commander, as a human being and as a Prophet.
From the hairstyle and dress code to marriage and family life to opening a business and choosing a career, the Holy Prophet is a perfect model for mankind. So who needs false heroes and role model who do nothing but empty your pocket when you have the perfect model for human life?