June 20, 2013 
ARAB IDOL 2013: MOHAMMED ASSAF!
This was NOT just a contest for idols!
FOR PALESTINE THIS WAS THE RESULT OF SUMUD OF 1 MAN!
Imagine what all together can do…
June 20, 2013 – by occpal
Follow @occpal
Let’s start with the confession that I never really listen to music at all. Nor watch TV for the cacophonic mess mixed up with commercials filled with sublimal messages to ‘sell’ one the worldly drugs of commerce is not for me. I love to live a humble life and I do not need commercials to determine or prescribe my needs for me.
Watching a movie with educational value becomes a trial due to continuous interruptions to assure all get dragged along in the slavery of the sales of the media and trade moguls whatsoever need’s to be brought to mankind according to the empires which try to control or minds and lives.
Actually I would love to throw the whole TV and radio out of the window because I became sick and tired of the noise and disturbances which distract us from the beauty of blessings we have in life and they are not packed in the bottle of perfume or the high class car which is promoted between your favorite ‘show’.
So. For this reason I never even watched nor heard of Arab Idol in the first place.
Until after some shows of Arab Idol and seeing my fellow activists and friends tweeting their heart out I became kind of curious. Not for the song. Not for the music, but amazed by the pride especially Gaza showed as Mohammed Assaf proceeded heading for the finals.
Mohammed Assad broke the tension. Gives a distraction for a people living effectively in world’s largest concentration-camp this world ever witnessed. 1.7 Million human beings under daily violence, attacks, deprivation and surviving on faith, hope and love.
It is an understatement to say, I have been highly annoyed to read that the Mufti of Nablus declared the popular reality show “Arab Idol” a violation of Islamic law. Relieved I was to see that in the same article was mentioned that the Palestinian minister of endowment and religious affairs Mahmoud al-Habash had rejected the ‘fatwa’.
The article quotes the minister saying:
“singing is permissible in Islam when it … does not encourage depravity. It is poetry, after all.” and added “Singing was present during Prophet Muhammad’s days.”
And he is right. Now I do not wish to turn this into today’s khutbah but the issuing of a fatwa over a entire nation which lives in pride over the victories of a young man who breaks out of the daily slur of occupation, siege and 65 year ongoing violence and genocide is surreal. It makes me almost go ballistic.
So for the patient ones among you (bear with me!) some Islamic teachings:
Ashhal ibn Haatim told us from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Awn from Ibn Seereen who said: Hudhayfah said:
“The one who gives fatwas to the people is one of three: either he knows what has been abrogated of the Qur’aan, or he is a leader who has no choice (but to issue a fatwa) or he is a fool who is doing something that is not his job. He said, perhaps Ibn Seereen said: I am neither of the first two, and I do not want to be the third”
I won’t throw up a coin but regarding the reality of occupied Palestine in my humble opinion the Mufti of Nablus has more urgent matters to tend to. For example uniting the people and remind them of their Fard al ‘Ayn to support, to stand up for all those living under oppression.
Now why would the Mufti object to a voice, which reaches and unites the hearts of not only the Palestinians but raises awareness for Gaza, for Palestine, for it’s plight? His gift of singing is a gift from Allaah SWT/G-d/God. And for sure he softened and comforted the hearts with his songs for his home. His people and opened eyes of people who never had heard of Palestine’s hardship before. This is jihad as well. Non violent and reaching not only the Arab world – of whom many many know but forget to speak out- but also far beyond. Even a German newspaper – and I can assure you it’s not a feature on German TV- even wrote about a modern fairy tale coming true: Gaza’s Hope
To make my point where I started. It is about the intention. If one uses music and entertainment as a ‘drug’ it is not allowed in Islam. But if the song is contributing to the well-being and aiding to improve the condition of brothers, sisters and children in need, making a change I do not wish to hear about fatwa’s of this kind about this particular situation in which music i.e. Mohammed Assaf breaks the tension and overcomes an occupation for his people.
I do not desire to contradict a mufti but it will not be the first nor the last time rigid explanations of the teachings lead to ‘fatwa’s which are by no means laws. Certainly not (!) if they contradict the Sunnah:
The following text is an excerpt from a study Manzoor ul Hassan/Tr. by Tariq Haashmi
“Music was one of the favourite cultural traditions of the Arabs in the days of the Prophet Muhammad (saws). Music and musical instruments were frequently used in worship rituals.
It was also employed in the expression of delight and sorrow.
Music accompanied wars and festivals too. A study of the traditions ascribed to the Holy Prophet (saws) reveals that not only did he express his likeness for Music but he also encouraged others to play it on festive occasions. Some reliable narratives in this regard make it clear that the mother of the believers, ‘A’ishah (ra) listened to songs in the very presence of the Holy Prophet (saws).
The Holy Prophet (saws) himself is reported to have encouraged people to use music on wedding ceremonies. On his migration from Makkah to Madinah, the women sang welcome songs on the Daff and the Holy Prophet (saws) expressed his approbation of this. At another occasion, a professional female singer and musician approached him and requested him to listen to her song.
The Holy Prophet (saws) not only himself listened to her song but also took ‘A’ishah (ra) to listen to her. The mother of the believers leaned on the Holy Prophet’s (saws) shoulders and enjoyed the performance for a considerable time. During journeys, the Messenger of God showed his likeness for the Hida, a kind of desert song.
He is also reported to have appointed a Hadi for his camels who was endowed with a very sweet sound. He also emphasized beating the Daff in order to announce Nikah. Various traditions have been recorded in the books of Hadith on these issues. A study of some of these traditions follows.” (More of the study including reference to the daleel can be read here)
An “Idol”? No a Resistance Fighter!
Aside my personal rejection of the distraction of music in general, I do listen to songs of Doc Jazz. A Palestinian surgeon, father, poet, artist, painter and activist. His “Musical Intifada’ is a way of resistance. It brings a message which cannot be denied as he is the sole artist known with the largest repertoire of resistance music for Palestine and the Palestinian cause.
And so is Mohammed’s achievement, a form of resistance. He resisted the hopeless and devastating reality, The lack of chances in Gaza, the difficulties which are to overcome for a young man, like anyone inside Gaza to realize his dreams.
Mohammed is much more than an Idol. He not only made his own dreams come true, also that of millions of Palestinians for embodying the living, singing, shouting-out-loud “I resist’ example and so… the hope of all Palestinian people. He shows it is possible in this insane world to have goals and to have chances in this megalomanic insane situation it is possible overcome.
So dear ‘Ulama and brothers who plan to lecture me after this post: Know Allah knows best. But know as well, that were immediately in media, in mufti’s offices and in press-rooms articles are being written to politicize the ‘hope’ and ‘break-out’ of this ‘ light at the end of Gaza’s tunnels, the same politicians and many (including self proclaimed) “‘Ulama” fail to do what Mohammed does:
UNITE THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE!
So some “reality show” now
Some of these ‘judges’ forget, this kind of baqwaas of issuing fatwa’s over the hope in despair of a nation are actually pleasing the shahawaat (desires) of the occupier.
1.7 Million people in Gaza of which most are refugee exiled in another part of their stolen land. Millions of people in the West Bank, suffering the daily attacks and assault of not only an occupying force but colonists as well. Deprived from literally every human right imaginable and now a Mufti wants to issue a fatwa taking the little bit of relief of all ( I will not reiterate what is written already in over 25.000 posts on this blog only) misery there is in Palestine.
This kind of crappy attempts of depriving the people of ‘voicing’ their hope – through a singer – is seriously worrying. There where the legitimate government – elected with consent of the occupiers allies – is being jailed on daily basis by the other half which does seem to have no desire for reconciliation or to unite at all, this very division complies completely – I say COMPLETELY! – with the master-plan of the annihilating entity of the zionist state: Divide & Conquer. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
The enemy and danger, is not a boy who broke as a star through this dark nights of Gaza. The danger is the oppressor. It’s up to you who is one in the meanwhile for all aiding the zionist cause, directly or indirectly can put on that shoe.
So far, not one of the seated, grounded, jailed or whatever ‘rulers’ has achieved what Mohammed did:
UNITE THE WHOLE NATION!
So I say:
Vote Mohammed Assaf!
Not only as an “Arab Idol”. Better make him prime minister immediately as the function seems vacant anyway, now the recently elected PM took the revolving door and left tyhe building. And let his stage be the step to the next level to become president. He can’t do worse than what others have achieved so far in 65 years of catastrophe.
Time for change. Time for the youth. Time for rising stars who know to touch, motivate and unite the people.
Occupation won’t end by issuing fatwa’s over a singer.
Sumud
Because I am a rebel with a cause for Palestine. I want you – and especially all those outside of Palestine and the Arab world – to listen to the power of the voice of this young man, from a refugee-camp in Gaza. Displaced and displaced again who broke the siege and reached millions of hearts. including mine
A duet : a mash-up of the songs “Enta Eih” and “Be7en” (lyrics including English translation below the music video so you can all sing along) … and please very loud so you disseminate the manifest this young man is making. This is more than just ‘a song’. This is sumud!
Behen lil naghme el watar
The melody longs for the string (of the lute)
Behen lil shams el amar
The sun longs for the moon
Behen lil lail el sahar
The night longs for staying up late
W ana mish ader henillik
But I am unable to long for you.
Fi hob bi albi inkasar
My heart is broken
Fi gerh w tarek athar
There is a wound and it’s leaving a mark
Rou7i traktek lil adar
My soul, I left you for fate
Mish ader aktar ellek
I cannot tell you more.
Enta eih mesh kfaya aalaik
What are you (how cruel are you) Is it not enough
Tegrahni haram aalaik enta eeih
That you hurt me? Have pity. How cruel are you?
Enta laih dimooai habeebi tehoun aalaik
Why my love, is it so easy for you to bring me to tears
Tab w laih ana radya enak tegrahni w roo7i feek
And why do I accept that you hurt me when my soul is part of you
Tab w laih yaani eih radya beaazabi bain edaik
And why am I accepting this torment at your hands?
Shu byenfaani ayounek tedmaa, w tqooli nadmane
What will I benefit from your eyes filled with tears and saying you’re regretful?
La tnadini mish ra7 esmaa, w ensili aenwani
Don’t call me… I won’t listen… and forget my address
W enseene law badi erjaa
& forget me if i wanted to return to you
Min zaman rjaatellek
I would have returned a long time ago.
Law kan da hob ya waili mino
If this is love, my misery is from it
W law kan da zanbi matoub aano
And if I am to blame, I cannot say never again
Law kan naseebi aaeesh fey gerah
And if it is my lot to live in torment
Hayaeesh fey gerah
I shall live in torment
Mesh haram mesh haram enak tekhdaani fey hobi leek
Have you no pity? Have you no shame that you cheat me knowing the love I have for you
Mesh haram elgharam wel seneen hayati w 3ashi eleek
Is it not a shame, the passion and the years and longing that I am living for you?
Keef baddek biayounek ahlam w sraqti ahlami
how u want me to dream in ur eyes if u stole my dreams
Khaleeni aalmadi endam w sneeni w ayami
let me regret my past and my years and days
W enseene law badi erjaa
& forget me if i wanted to return to you
Enta eih
What are you
Min zaman rjaatellek
I would have returned a long time ago.
Law kan da hob ya waili mino
If this is love, my misery is from it
W law kan da zanbi matoub aano
And if I am to blame, I cannot say never again
Law kan naseebi aaeesh fey gerah
And if it is my lot to live in torment
Hayaeesh fey gerah
I shall live in torment
Behen lil naghme el watar
he long for the tone of string
W law kan da zanbi matoub aano
And if I am to blame, I cannot say never again
Behen lil lail el sahar
he long for the night and staying up at night
Hayaeesh fey gerah
I shall live in torment
Fi hob bi albi inkasar
there is a love inside my heart broken
Fi gerh w tarek athar
there is a jealousy which leave a trace
Law kan naseebi aaeesh fey gerah
And if it is my lot to live in torment
Hayaeesh fey gerah
I shall live in torment
W law kan da zanbi matoub aano
And if I am to blame, I cannot say never again
Hayaeesh fey gerah
I shall live in torment
Fi hob bi albi inkasar
My heart is broken
Fi gerh w tarek athar
There is a wound and it’s leaving a mark
Rou7i traktek lil adar
My soul, I left you for fate
Mish ader aktar ellik
I cannot tell you more.
Enta eih
How cruel are you?
June 21, 2013 | Arab Idol – الأداء – محمد عساف – على الكوفية
How to vote for Mohammed Assaf
Related in Media
- June 21, 2013 | Gaza Arab Idol star becomes symbol of Palestinian unity – Arab News
- June 21, 2013 |‘Your cause is our cause,’ Mohammed Assaf tells Palestinian prisoners – Mondoweiss
Occupied Palestine | فلسطين 
Comments are closed.