In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Reflection on Urban Lifestyles
I’ve been watching the youth of my neighborhood and observed certain behavioral patterns. One day while reading The Quran I came across a few verses that gave me some clarity. I thought I’d share some reflections I arrived at.
26:221 Shall I inform you, (O people!), on whom it is that the evil ones descend?
26:222 They descend on every lying, wicked person,
26:223 (Into whose ears) they pour hearsay vanities, and most of them are liars.
26:224 And the Poets,- It is those straying in Evil, who follow them:
26:225 Art thou not aware that they roam confusedly through all the valleys [of words and thoughts],
26:226 And that they say what they practice not?
So Allah asks us if we wish to know on whom it is the shayteen, the devils, the evil ones, the negative forces or negative energy descends. What is a reason that we should know this information? Just for the sake of knowing? Of course not. We should be aware of this knowledge so that we may guard ourselves against evil. So we may save ourselves against the scheming maneuvers of the shaytan. Then Allah informs us that the evil ones descend on every lying, sinful self-deceiving person. As well as those who are always ready to lend their ear to the lies that are spread from the evil ones. And who also tell lies themselves. Most of this was based on the fortune tellers and those who steadily went and listened to them. Also the demonic practices the fortune tellers used to come up with their information.
Allah then moves on to the poets. This is the real subject that hit home when I thought of the youth and urban culture. Allah speaks about how the poets are also prone to deceive themselves. Also how those lost in error and darkness are prone to follow them as well. This is huge. We should be able to see how easily we can interchange the reality being described here attributed to the poets with the rappers nowadays.
Layers and layers of self-deception in ego-trip raps. I’m so this and I’m so that. I’ve got this and I’ve got that. As if what they are talking about is worth any true value. It’s not just rap either. Talent doesn’t equal moral substance or quality. Some of the most talented rappers or singers can have some of the worst characteristics. Such as being alcoholics, drug addicts, egotistical, self absorbed, greedy, animalistic, and lustful minded just to name a few. They will talk about all sorts of topics just to make a song for money, fame, influence, and all sorts of lowly, illusory based intentions.
How numerous are the people that have imitated the erroneous lifestyles often glorified in rap music? How often do they actually live what they talk about? Whether they live the lifestyles they portray or not, I’d venture to say 90% or more isn’t positive. They are not telling stories to uplift or teach from the negative experiences. They are more or less glorifying the negative aspects of life. Planting seeds into the hearts and minds of the listeners. These seeds often sprout into desires and these desires turn into action. These actions help contribute to the negative aspects of our society that is corrupting our youth.
All Rap Isn’t Bad Neither are The Rappers
Quran 26:227 Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and remember Allah much and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged.
This verse may indicate that there are those who are from amongst the poets that use their gifts for the benefits of mankind. Those poets who leave and guard against contributing to the debasing of mankind. Artists who exalt praiseworthy qualities for the human being to embody and vilify negative qualities for the human being to guard themselves from. They not only say what they practice but what they practice is regarded as something positive.
All rap isn’t negative either. It is an artistic form of expression. There are rappers who use their music to uplift, to promote conscious awareness of certain injustices, and to remind people about their duty to God.
The So called Powers that Be and manipulation
The other side is the corrupting corrupters, the so called powers that be, the record companies. If it wasn’t all about the money and more focused on a wholesome quality of life most of the songs put out now wouldn’t reach the masses. We have to recognize that there are those who are only looking for more money and there are those who could care less about money but have an intentional agenda to thrust evil influences upon society as a whole. You could further divide the groups into certain categories stemming from the previous mentioned two. However it’s not necessary. What is necessary is asking for accountability.
It’s Not Just Rap Music or a Present Day Phenomena
Some may try to put the blame solely on rap music. This would not be a correct course of action. We should look at the historical effect of music on American Society in general. What was the effect of Rock and Roll on the morals of our society? How did R&B effect our society? Most of these genres as well as others not mentioned have had its share in creating negativity in our communities. From promotion of rebellion, lust, drug use, alcohol, rage, wantonness and a list of other negative behaviors, we can hardly single out rap as the sole contributor. The only reason I point to rap music mostly is because that has become the tune of the day for those of us in urban society as well as amongst the youth. Take the time to watch some brothers walking around with headphones on. Look at the anger on their faces, the aggressive body movements, and the negativity they repeat from the lyrics. All that pent up energy is bound to release somehow, somewhere and sometime.
Questions to Reflect On
Where are the parents, the teachers, the positive role models to help guide the youth before their minds are shaped by this negativity? As a general rule of thumb young children don’t desire to smoke, drink, have sex or engage in violence. These desires are often introduced by some outside influence.
How are we failing our youth? As young adults possibly engaged in these corrupting activities, how do we continue to have a hand in our own corruption? Do we even see any of this as wrong? Where is our heart at? Do we truly believe in God and if so what effect does this belief have on our everyday life?
WHO ARE YOU?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR EXISTENCE?
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Join The Discussion
Comments are welcomed.
Reflection on Urban Lifestyles
I’ve been watching the youth of my neighborhood and observed certain behavioral patterns. One day while reading The Quran I came across a few verses that gave me some clarity. I thought I’d share some reflections I arrived at.
26:221 Shall I inform you, (O people!), on whom it is that the evil ones descend?
26:222 They descend on every lying, wicked person,
26:223 (Into whose ears) they pour hearsay vanities, and most of them are liars.
26:224 And the Poets,- It is those straying in Evil, who follow them:
26:225 Art thou not aware that they roam confusedly through all the valleys [of words and thoughts],
26:226 And that they say what they practice not?
So Allah asks us if we wish to know on whom it is the shayteen, the devils, the evil ones, the negative forces or negative energy descends. What is a reason that we should know this information? Just for the sake of knowing? Of course not. We should be aware of this knowledge so that we may guard ourselves against evil. So we may save ourselves against the scheming maneuvers of the shaytan. Then Allah informs us that the evil ones descend on every lying, sinful self-deceiving person. As well as those who are always ready to lend their ear to the lies that are spread from the evil ones. And who also tell lies themselves. Most of this was based on the fortune tellers and those who steadily went and listened to them. Also the demonic practices the fortune tellers used to come up with their information.
Allah then moves on to the poets. This is the real subject that hit home when I thought of the youth and urban culture. Allah speaks about how the poets are also prone to deceive themselves. Also how those lost in error and darkness are prone to follow them as well. This is huge. We should be able to see how easily we can interchange the reality being described here attributed to the poets with the rappers nowadays.
Layers and layers of self-deception in ego-trip raps. I’m so this and I’m so that. I’ve got this and I’ve got that. As if what they are talking about is worth any true value. It’s not just rap either. Talent doesn’t equal moral substance or quality. Some of the most talented rappers or singers can have some of the worst characteristics. Such as being alcoholics, drug addicts, egotistical, self absorbed, greedy, animalistic, and lustful minded just to name a few. They will talk about all sorts of topics just to make a song for money, fame, influence, and all sorts of lowly, illusory based intentions.
How numerous are the people that have imitated the erroneous lifestyles often glorified in rap music? How often do they actually live what they talk about? Whether they live the lifestyles they portray or not, I’d venture to say 90% or more isn’t positive. They are not telling stories to uplift or teach from the negative experiences. They are more or less glorifying the negative aspects of life. Planting seeds into the hearts and minds of the listeners. These seeds often sprout into desires and these desires turn into action. These actions help contribute to the negative aspects of our society that is corrupting our youth.
All Rap Isn’t Bad Neither are The Rappers
Quran 26:227 Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and remember Allah much and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged.
This verse may indicate that there are those who are from amongst the poets that use their gifts for the benefits of mankind. Those poets who leave and guard against contributing to the debasing of mankind. Artists who exalt praiseworthy qualities for the human being to embody and vilify negative qualities for the human being to guard themselves from. They not only say what they practice but what they practice is regarded as something positive.
All rap isn’t negative either. It is an artistic form of expression. There are rappers who use their music to uplift, to promote conscious awareness of certain injustices, and to remind people about their duty to God.
The So called Powers that Be and manipulation
The other side is the corrupting corrupters, the so called powers that be, the record companies. If it wasn’t all about the money and more focused on a wholesome quality of life most of the songs put out now wouldn’t reach the masses. We have to recognize that there are those who are only looking for more money and there are those who could care less about money but have an intentional agenda to thrust evil influences upon society as a whole. You could further divide the groups into certain categories stemming from the previous mentioned two. However it’s not necessary. What is necessary is asking for accountability.
It’s Not Just Rap Music or a Present Day Phenomena
Some may try to put the blame solely on rap music. This would not be a correct course of action. We should look at the historical effect of music on American Society in general. What was the effect of Rock and Roll on the morals of our society? How did R&B effect our society? Most of these genres as well as others not mentioned have had its share in creating negativity in our communities. From promotion of rebellion, lust, drug use, alcohol, rage, wantonness and a list of other negative behaviors, we can hardly single out rap as the sole contributor. The only reason I point to rap music mostly is because that has become the tune of the day for those of us in urban society as well as amongst the youth. Take the time to watch some brothers walking around with headphones on. Look at the anger on their faces, the aggressive body movements, and the negativity they repeat from the lyrics. All that pent up energy is bound to release somehow, somewhere and sometime.
Questions to Reflect On
Where are the parents, the teachers, the positive role models to help guide the youth before their minds are shaped by this negativity? As a general rule of thumb young children don’t desire to smoke, drink, have sex or engage in violence. These desires are often introduced by some outside influence.
How are we failing our youth? As young adults possibly engaged in these corrupting activities, how do we continue to have a hand in our own corruption? Do we even see any of this as wrong? Where is our heart at? Do we truly believe in God and if so what effect does this belief have on our everyday life?
WHO ARE YOU?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR EXISTENCE?
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Join The Discussion
Comments are welcomed.
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