Music

Contemporary nasyeed, or Islamic-themed songs, are one of the best methods of da’wah for the young generations. I am, as mentioned in the previous posts, a huge fan of this music genre, and there is one thing I can share with you readers about listening to music.

As young people, of course we are hugely attracted to music. How else would you explain the phenomenal sales of iPod and mp3 players in the world? How else would you explain the sheer number of pirate websites dedicated for downloading songs? How else would you explain the use of music in almost every media, be it the internet, movies, television series, montages and even for Islamic programs and talks on TV, they use music in the opening, break and closing montage. Such the power of music, songs can ignite interest in issues, controversies and even sexual desire.

Sadly though, music is being abused by so many people. We have so many top songs in the world that contain not only useless and senseless lyrics, but sexually explicit, violent and obscene lyrics that may influence listeners, especially the youth. As pointed out by a friend of mine, Siti Maryam N in her Facebook, these songs are made as catchy as possible it attracts a huge number of fans including youth as young as 13 years old. You can sing along these songs easily, what with all the websites attributed to the music and publishing the lyrics for public viewing. They even have embedded add-ons in the music player software that pop up lyrics whenever a song is played!

I have to admit, I am also attracted to these lagho songs. I memorize tons of songs, not only nasyeeds but rock, pop, country, you name it. Heck I even went to karaoke with friends, singing these songs quite a while ago! I am not proud of it, and this is certainly not why I am writing this post. I want to share the feeling of listening to music, the different effects they have on our soul.

Whenever I listen to the lagho (non-beneficial, meaningless, senseless) songs, mostly when I am depressed or stressed out over something, I got really hyped and psyched. I sing along, sometimes move my head to the rhythm, enjoying the beats and trying to forget my problems. But when I listen to this kind of music the whole day, I will eventually come to a point where I get sick of it. I don’t have that feeling of peace, of serenity, clarity that I crave. It does lift my mood a bit in the beginning, but soon after that, I ended up in the same, if not worse mood that I had earlier.

However, when listening to songs and music that have meaningful messages, I feel soothed, peaceful and calm. It clears up my mind, cheers up my mood and gives me the uplift I need to face my problems. It doesn’t has to be Arabic, Quranic or Selawat songs, just songs with good Islamic messages and values are enough to have this effect on me.

It is clear to me then, that attraction to music is our nature as human. As pointed out by scholars, human nature is good, and we like good things, right things, polite and kind things, clean things, ethical things. It’s our nature, and our soul acts in accordance with our nature, and that is why good music and songs have the ability to lift our spirit, while bad, senseless and obscene music have a reverse effect.

Maher Zain

In light of this, I recommend my friends to listen to good music. Listen to nasyeeds, there’s nothing wrong or un’cool’ness about it. It’s good for you. My recommendations are Raihan, Maher Zain, Dawud Wharnsby Ali and Zain Bikha. Maher Zain sings nasyeeds in a very trendy, soulful and attractive music; it should appeal to the young listeners. Dawud Wharnsby Ali’s lyrics are just beautiful, and Zain Bikha’s songs have good messages for our kids. No need to introduce Raihan I think. Have a nice day!

Zain Bikha

Dawud Wharnsby Ali

Raihan

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~ by jfa3903 on June 1, 2010.