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In 1975, British singer-songwriter and international superstar Cat Stevens experienced a near death experience that led him to an unforeseen journey towards Islam. This interesting video reveals the reasons behind Cat’s diappearance from stardom and his spiritual journey towards faith and Islam. It shows how and why Islam appealed to and inspired Cat and made him rethink life.

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Drink-fuelled pensioners rioted at Sunday night’s O2 concert by 70’s folk singer Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens. Furious fans felt cheated to realise that Yusuf was no longer a young man. “He looked just as old as us,” one disgusted fan claimed bitterly. “We didn’t pay to see some old guy sit and watch a musical.”

The trouble started when pensioners, many of whom have little concert experience, were allowed to go the bars during an interval during the show. They returned to their seats having downed several sherries in the short break and ready for trouble. Yusuf played right into their hands by sitting back and inviting ten actors on-stage to perform an extract from his new musical. Fans were outraged by this and appalled to realise that Yusuf had no answers to their problems and had actually nothing to say about the current economic recession.

“It’s completely unbelievable,” said Philomena, a grandmother of twelve. “We thought we were getting a a solution to all our problems tonight and instead he sings some crap songs that no one’s ever heard of and then makes us watch some poxy play about a hippy looking for the sun!”

Writing on his blog, Yusuf has reflected that, “One thing is clear: many of the fans didn’t realise that it was no longer 1972 – and some thought I was rubbish. That can easily be fixed with a free souvenir programme for the night and me personally informing the audience of what’s happened in the last 35 years.”

On a more sinister note, a senior Garda source noted that some of the elements responsible for last year’s medical card for pensioners riots were also present at this concert. This was, she remarked, “a worrying development and possible sign that disruptive elements were successfully infiltrating institutions such as Age Concern and bridge clubs across the country.”

The singer has, however, rejected suggestions that a fatwa be issued calling for the death by hanging of the unruly audience members. “Although, the Qur’an makes it clear – if someone defames the prophet, then he must die — it didn’t work with Salman Rushdie – we never got the bugger – and I’m not about to try that malarkey again. Besides, I’m not actually a prophet and it would further confuse fans who just getting used to my new cuddly image.”

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

“One of the most dominant news of man is material. The motto of this concept is ‘Eat, drink and be merry.’ The problem was that I had eaten, I had drunk—I wasn’t merry.” – Yusuf Islam

Before exam today, i was cheering myself up by spending a few minutes listening to some nice and warm songs by Dawud Wharnsby Ali and Yusuf Islam.

Actually, i am very intrigued by Yusuf Islam. I first knew about him several years ago when we were still using video players that play CASSETTE TAPES. Remember those times? Lol.

Back then, i wasn’t really keen on finding out what is sooo special in Islam that made him convert (or revert for that matter). Being born into a Muslim family, even i did not find it so special. That was back then.  I didn’t know. I was ignorant.

So yeah, i was going through some of his videos again. I have done this countless times anyway. I really love his songs. They’re deep and meaningful.

I am just amazed that in a 1976 Earth tour, he performed a song and you can only see arrogance, confusion and fake happiness in his face. And then he does a performance in 1979 after converting to Islam and mashaAllah, he is extremely calm, peaceful and composed; you can see that in his face! Not only that, you can even FEEL these changes in the songs. It’s almost as if a huge cloud had been lifted from his head and he can finally breathe easy = )

Earth Tour, 1976

Unicef Year of Child, 1979

This is actually the peace that comes from living in tune with your innate nature. This leads to a whole topic in itself on Fitrah.

If we are humans who follow the mass media, it is highly likely that we are not in tune with our innate nature. You got to follow the Creator who created you if you want to feel this special feeling of inner harmony. You can never get that from following any other way except the ONE way for which we were created, that is Islam.

Watch Abdal Hakim Murad speak about the subject of Fitrah:

My Lady d’Arbanville, why do you sleep so still?
I’ll wake you tomorrow
and you will be my fill, yes, you will be my fill.

My Lady d’Arbanville why does it grieve me so?
But your heart seems so silent.
Why do you breathe so low, why do you breathe so low,

My Lady d’Arbanville why do you sleep so still?
I’ll wake you tomorrow
and you will be my fill, yes, you will be my fill.

My Lady d’Arbanville, you look so cold tonight.
Your lips feel like winter,
your skin has turned to white, your skin has turned to white.

My Lady d’Arbanville, why do you sleep so still?
I’ll wake you tomorrow
and you will be my fill, yes, you will be my fill.

La la la la la….

My Lady d’Arbanville why do you grieve me so?
But your heart seems so silent.
Why do you breathe so low, why do you breathe so low,

I loved you my lady, though in your grave you lie,
I’ll always be with you
This rose will never die, this rose will never die.

I loved you my lady, though in your grave you lie,
I’ll always be with you
This rose will never die, this rose will never die.

Yusuf—Roadsinger (A&M Records)

Review by Hugh Lilly Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) is Cat Stevens’ second pop record since his conversion to Islam in 1978. Asked a few years ago by Jools Holland why he left the glamorous pop world, he answered “You come to a point where you have sung…your whole repertoire and you want to get down to the job of living.” This feeling of being fed up with the spotlight—with the garish superficiality of the record business—was telegraphed early by songs like “Pop Star,” from his 1970 masterpiece Mona Bone Jakon. While that album saw the emergence of an artist wholly different to the pop singer previously known only for commercially-oriented songs like “Matthew and Son,” Roadsinger sees Yusuf Islam, as he’s now known, combine his signature finger-picking style and rich, peaceful voice to proffer his ideas, hopes and dreams for the world.

The first two tracks, “Welcome Home” and “Thinkin’ ’Bout You” are returns to form, traditional Cat Stevens-style tunes for a new era. Laments like “World O’ Darkness” and “The Rain” colour the record and distinguish it from An Other Cup, his 2006 studio album. Whereas that record was consciously pop-oriented, nearly every track on Roadsinger covers issues of humanitarian concern—this is a troubadour promoting his particular brand of political balladry.

“Be What You Must” features a children’s choir – Islam founded the Islamia Primary School in North London, and is the tamest of all the tracks, melodically similar to “Peace Train” ,  “ The brief ” ,  “ In This Glass World ”,  with its hint of percussion and electric guitar, is the heaviest track – elsewhere Roadsinger is acoustic guitar and sweet lap steel atop eastern-influenced percussion and light string arrangements. “Shamsia” , a Persian word meaning ‘light’ is the title of the lilting closing track – a short, delicate lullaby in a minor key.

Source: insequential.wordpress.com

hello nice reederz its dennis the vizsla dog hay yes it is wunse agin time for the sun day awards and meem show!!!  and i am verry hopeful that this week we wil finaly be gitting a noo theem song as i hav invited the faymus minstrel yusuf islam to come and rite a song for me this time!!!

oh this sownds promissing!!! ok lets begin!!!

wel now this week we only hav wun award and as yoo may hav notisd i hav ben saying sun day insted of sunday that is becuz this weeks award is the ra award from the purple hatter and ra of korse is the sun god of the mithical land of aynchent eejypt!!! and he is also a faymus for having a staf wot shows ware the arc of the kovenant is berreed!!!

now this is a verry verry dramatik award on akkownt of it is kursd chek owt wot the purple hatter sez abowt it!!!

I HAVE PICKED ELEVEN PEOPLE FOR THIS AWARD TO BE RECEIVED THIS NUMBER HAS A MEANING OF THE 11 DIFFERENT REALMS IN WHICH SURROUNDS THIS EARTH. ELEVEN IS A POWERFUL NUMBER FOR IT IS THE NUMBER OF WISDOM. TAKE THIS AWARD WITH HONOR AND PASS IT ONTO 11 MORE OR A CURSE WILL FOLLOW YOUR BLOG FOREVER.

ok i am reddy to go kurse busting luk i hav my pith helmet on!!!

all rite this luks like the start of another grayt adventcher!!! i am totaly reddy to brayk this kurse!!! i — wot??? oh i hav just ben informd that the kurse has alreddy ben broken by sumwun else!!!

UP-DATE

THE CURSE HAS BEEN LIFTED BY OVERWHELMING POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES OF THOSE WHICH DECLINED THE AWARD.

BUT A NEW RULE HAS NOW BEEN FORTH COMING……

THE NEW RULE IS THE ONLY RULE IF YOU SO CHOSE TO TAKE THE AWARD….

RULE:  TO BE GOD LIKE IS TO BE POSITIVE IN YOUR DAILY WALK, WITH  THE SEVENTH DAY AS REST.FOR THE NUMBER 7 IS A LUCKY NUMBER AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY YOU MUST GIVE THIS AWARD TO ONE VERY SPECIAL PERSON THAT MUST PASS IT ON TO ANOTHER ON THE NEXT SEVENTH DAY.

wot??? i dont git to go kurse busting and i hav to wayt seven days before i can pass the award on???? that is like fortynine dog days!!!! oh oh oh oh the wayting reely is the hardest part!!!! but i can do it becuz i am dennis the vizsla dog and i no wen to hold em and i no wen to fold em and i no wen to wawk away and — oh sorry i almost got kountry their for a minnit!!! wel ennyway toon in nekst week to see hoo gits the kurse-free ra award and posibly also to lern the wareabowts of the arc of the kovenant is hiddin!!! ok mr yusuf hav yoo come up with a theem song for me yet???

In the name of ALlah, the most Beneficient, the Most Merciful

asalaam o alykum
 
Every day we wake up and think about various things that come to our mind. Sometimes everyday is the same becasue we dont really have anything special to do. Our day usually revolves around us going to school\uni\college, working for our assignment,working in the office, chatting with our friends, watching tv,SMSing, facebooking, watching tv again…oh how can i forget eating- yea eating…going out to eat, or ordering something, and whats next?… i guess tv again, and then off we go to bed, sleep and the same thing usually happens the next day and then it repeats itself for 365 days a year and so on.
 
But sometimes we get sick and tired of this monotonous routine, we decide to do something different and then we think, we contemplate and we reflect. sometiems our thoughts occupy our minds and sometimes we reflect upon whatever we did, and plan to do and then we decide to stick to it.
 
And that makes us do what we neglect the most. so we  try something new, something different, something that we stay away from, maybe due to family, friends, or maybe becasue we have everything and everything keeps coming, that we dont need to do that particular thing. this time i’m talking about the Quran. 
 
We open the Book of guidance and then we read a few pages with translation and that’s it, we think that we were living our lives like rocks, we didnt achieve anything, we never understood ourselves, we never thought about intentions, good and evil, life and death, heaven and hell, the prophets and ISLAM. We come to the conclusion with this guilt heavy on our hearts and realise what was missing; we understand that there is A PURPOSE IN LIFE.
 
We embark upon a journey filled with thorns and draconian punishments, we leave our pleasures and sacrifice our time for ALlah’s sake. We learn to love and hate for ALlah and we learn to live for ALlah.
 
Allah swt says:
You will only be rewarded fully for all your good deeds on the day of Resurrection, and [on that Day] whoever will be drawn away from Hell-fire, and admitted to Paradise, will indeed have triumphed. [Al Imran 3:185]
 
what should be kept in mind is the fact that Allah swt doesnt need us, we need Him.
 
Allah swt says:
Whoever strives hard in God’s casue does so only for his own good: for, verily, God does not stand in need of anything in all the worlds! And as for those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds, We shall most certainly efface their bad deeds, and shall most certainly reward them in accordance with the best that they ever did. [al-Ankabut 29:6-7]
 
Yusuf Islam(aka Cat Stevens) once said: “Islam is not just a religion, Islam is everything”. Hence we try, we try and we try, we strive for ALlah’s casue and we know that it is’nt easy, we give up our past habits just for this love for ALlah, we give up our pre\extra marital affairs, haram food and drinks, music, bad character, sleeveless shirts\shorts, time, love and hatred and much more for ALlah’s sake, because we believe that by using our time , energy and money in ALlah’s cause we will be better off. In short we give up our short term pleasures for the long term ones.
 
Allah swt says:
And there is a kind of person who would willingly give up personal interests, seeking Allah’s pleasure; and God is Most Compassionate towards His servants. [al-Baqarah 2:207]
 
Allah swt also says:
Behold, God has bought of the Believers their lives and their possessions, promising them Paradise in return, they fight in God’s casue, and slay, and are slain: a promise which in truth He has willed upon Himself in the Torah, and the Injil, and the Quran. And who could be more faithful to his covenant than God? [al-Tawba 9 :111] 
 
Therefore,we submit our wills to ALlah swt. We promise to give ourselves to Him in return for Paradise. We tie ourselves in this covenant with the Supreme Lord and then we live according to His will.
 
Allah swt says:
Indeed ALlah has puchased from the Believers their lives and their possessions, promising them Paradise, in return. [al-Tawba 9:111]
 
After we do all this, our life changes drastically. We have decided, and yes its is our CHOICE that we emabark upon this journey, for ALlah’s sake. We do encounter lonliness and hardships, but in our heart we know that ALlah swt is with us and that peace of mind we get from that feeling is amazing, i can give up everything i have for that peace of mind..inshaALlah.
 
So this life is yours, and you get it just once, so why not strive for the best casue in it?? This life is transient and will end soon. Death is inevitable and we will all die soon. No one can predict our deaths except for ALlah. We can with fortitude inshaALlah give up the short term pains and haram pleasures for the life of the Hereafter inshaALalh.
 
Allah swt is with us forever and ever. Lets just trust him becasue when a person looks into himself for strength, he is left with nothing , but when he puts all his trust in ALlah and searches for strength in ALlah, then he is the richest person on earth.
 
As for now, i would like to make dua for us all. i found this dua in Khurram Murad’s book titled “In The Early Hours”,
 he says:
“O Allah, I ask for Your Mercy and whatever brings me closer to it in word and deed. O Allah, I ask for a faith that will never vanish, a blessing that will never diminish, a pleasure that will never abate, and the most elevated position in Paradise distinguished by the companionship of Your Messenger, Muhammed (PBUH)”. ameen
 
and if you allow me, i would like to include another beautiful dua in it which i got from Farhat Hashmi’s book, called ‘Qurani and Masnoon Duas’, here it is:
“O Allah! Make my love for You transcend the love of other things and make my fear of You be more than the fear of all other things, and make my desire to meet You override all the desires of this world. And when the eyes of the worldly people are cooled and comforted by the world make the coolness and enjoyment of my eyes lie in your worship”. ameen

i have nothing further to say. i hope that you really get the picture inshaALlah :D
take care , peace be with you

from your sister in Islam, Maryam

A friend of mine suggested recently that I take a gander at the  lyrics of Cat Stevens’ (aka Yusuf Islam)”Father and Son”. Since my own father passed away not so long ago, I’ve done my best to avoid the track, but this time around I felt compelled to read it. For those of you who can’t be bothered to read, here’s the track:

So…

Yeah. A bit depressing, right? Yup.

Here’s the thing: as much as the song has a point about the impetuousness of youth and the wanton disregard for the wisdom of  a life’s worth of experience (something that marked the relationship my dad and I had), the fact is that you cannot expect to grow by sitting and listening to others.

Yes, you need to take heed of those who have gone before you, if only to know what pitfalls may await you.

But you cannot let them live your life for you.

You need to make mistakes. You need to fall. You need to lose your way. You need to take risks. You need to fail. That’s what life (and creativity – see how I tied it back? Slick!) is all about. Creativity is all about mistakes, doing the unexpected, the frowned-upon…

People will always tell you through deeds and words what is expected of you, what is allowed, what can never be considered… You can listen to them – and live a life of no consequence. You’ll achieve nothing, not professionally, not personally…

Or you can do like Chris Columbus, Roald Amundsen, Chief Sitting Bull, Ghandhi, Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, John Lennon, Amelia Earhart, Cleopatra, Marie Curie and a host of other historical and contemporary figures who decided that doing what they wanted with their lives was what mattered and the  nay-sayers be damned.

Your path through life has two distinct forks at all junctures: do what is expected – or do what makes you happy.

And very seldom are either the same choice.

The decision and its consequences are always yours. And the experience can never be substituted or stolen from you.

So..what’s it gonna be?

[It's been 2 years since I lost my father. I miss you, old man.]

Hi darling, you can sing this to our son soon…This is the original video:

Here’s the latest version:

It’s not time to make a change,

Just relax, take it easy.

You’re still young, that’s your fault,

There’s so much you have to know.

Find a girl, settle down,

If you want you can marry.

Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy,

To be calm when you’ve found something going on.

But take your time, think a lot,

Why, think of everything you’ve got.

For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son

How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.

It’s always been the same, same old story.

From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.

Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.

I know I have to go.

Father

It’s not time to make a change,

Just sit down, take it slowly.

You’re still young, that’s your fault,

There’s so much you have to go through.

Find a girl, settle down,

if you want you can marry.

Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.

(Son– Away Away Away, I know I have to

Make this decision alone – no)

Son

All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,

It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it.

If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them you know not me.

Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.

I know I have to go.

(Father– Stay Stay Stay, Why must you go and

make this decision alone?)

Sorry about the delay on a post. I just haven’t really been inspired to write anything here. Here are a few things I’ve been listening to in the last few days:

Found this on last.fm’s Irish Coffee radio station. This is Regölés by Ghymes, and don’t even ask me to pronounce that. Really cool music, though. I don’t really get a chance to hear Hungarian music that often.

This is for everyone who was having trouble pronouncing the last song name. It’s listed as “Колыбельные мира. Идиш.”. I was able to find a translation of the lyrics, and they were listed as “Oyfn Veg Shteyt A Boym”. Nice Yiddish folksong, in any case, and the video seems to correspond pretty well to the song. Wish I could tell you who created the video or who the musician is.

This one is for anyone who is curious what the Cat Stevens song Wild World would sound like with lyrics in Zulu. And this is sung by Cat Stevens Steven Demetre Georgiou Yusuf Islam Yusuf.

It might be easiest to just call him the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens. He’s back to creating cds as Yusuf as of 2006, after his whole thing of changing his name to Yusuf Islam in 1977, converting to Islam, and abandoning music.

Belief, Love and Peace for All

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all live together on earth in Peace? Imagine, there’d be nobody stealing; nobody hurting or killing; no one shouting or swearing or calling names, people would love and look after each other. Wouldn’t that be like heaven on earth?

Well. That’s exactly what the Last Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was sent to teach us: how people, all over the earth, can learn to live in peace together, without fighting each other, and enjoy all the good things God has given us. How?

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “You will not enter heaven until you believe; and you will not believe until you love one another. Should I not guide you to a thing that if you do it will increase love amongst you? Spread “As salam’ (peace be with you)”

In this special saying of the Prophet, he mentions three important things: Belief, Love and Peace. Each one is important and they are all linked closely together. If we want to enjoy peace we should believe and want happiness not just for ourselves but for others as well. These three life-altering things could really change our world, if only people could practice them. Maybe it’s because some, are just not looking for them in the right place, they look everywhere but sometimes forget to look at themselves, in their own hearts, where belief, love and peace begin.

Many Ways to Peace

A companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, told us that he heard the Prophet say: “O people! Spread Salam (the greetings of peace), feed (the poor and needy), be kind to your relatives, offer prayer when others are asleep, and (you will) enter Paradise in peace.”

Let’s look now at some of the other things which the Prophet taught, to keep us out of trouble and make the world a better place:

Don’t Be Angry

First, try not to get angry. Sometimes we’re tested by being bullied or pushed, often there’ll be someone who wants to show that they are better or stronger than you; they go out of their way to prove it and make you feel small. Well? What do we do?

The Prophet, peace be upon him, was once asked by a man to give him advice. The Prophet told him, “La taghdab!’ Which means, “Don’t be angry!’ But the man didn’t listen, and kept on repeating his request. The Prophet, peace be upon him, just kept on telling him the same answer, “Don’t be angry! Don’t be angry!’

Patience and Prayer

Patience and Prayer are the best ways to deal with any bad thing that happens. Being patient sometimes means to do nothing except wait for Allah to remove whatever is bothering us. Sometimes it means not to give up your belief and stand firm; not to be shaken. Whenever we need extra help, we should turn to God and pray. And if we are true believers, we won’t only do this when we need something, but we will pray everyday. Then we will be closer God, and know that He will always be with us when we need Him.

Don’t Bad-Mouth Anybody

Sometimes it’s not others, but we who cause harm and disturb the peace. Think about it. Haven’t you ever said something that might have hurt somebody’s feelings or called them nasty names? Maybe we spoke badly behind their backs. That is called “Ghibah’ or backbiting. When they hear about what you said it creates pain and hate in their hearts. So the Prophet, peace be upon him, taught us never to talk badly about others, and never to talk behind their backs.

However, if somebody does it to you, instead of getting upset, know that God is with you if you stay patient; try to learn to forgive them as you wish God to forgive you. Also, if you hear somebody talking badly about someone else, don’t just listen; instead, stop them or try to say something good that would make the person they’re talking about pleased. The Prophet, peace be upon him said, “Speak good or be silent.’ This way, you create peace and harmony. Just listen to the silence of the Sunlight, which makes everybody warm and happy.

Source: Mountain of Light

Learning about Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him) in Oklahoma City

By Samir Rafael Elneser

The Kaba

Hi, everyone. Yesterday, as I finished waking up from a long sleep, which was the best sleep I’ve had in a while, I thought to myself: “I haven’t been to Oklahoma City in a couple of weeks.” I live in Ardmore, a 1 hour and 40 minute trip away from the An-Nasr Mosque in Oklahoma City, and because of the distance and the consumption of gas that results from such a long trip, I don’t like taking the trip too often, and normally go about once a month. Plus, there was a period of several months where, because of car problems, I couldn’t make the trip at all. However, I love the Muslim community up there in OKC and I missed them, because the fellowship is so strong there and because they’re so numerous, I know that I can find people to pray all 5 prayers in the day there, plus have some fellowship afterwards with the brothers-in-faith that I’m close to without them rushing off to work or something. I decided to get on the Internet like I always do and especially check Facebook, because that’s where the brothers-in-faith in OKC like to communicate with each other. I come to find out from the imam, or head preacher, of the An-Nasr Mosque, Imad Enchassi, that he is having his usual Sunday class teaching about the stories of the Prophets (peace be upon them all) that are found in the Qur’an as well as in Bible. He was talking about the Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him) in this particular class, and I thought that was good, but what really intrigued me was the fact that the famous rock group U2 was also having a concert that night in OKC. Imad posted this message in his Facebook Wall: “Your choice: come to the class or go to U2 concert.” I was like: I live in Ardmore, and I normally don’t go to either one; if I go to OKC, I’ll go to the class, because of the knowledge that I will learn and internalize, which, God willing, will benefit me more than going to a U2 concert. I’m not criticizing U2, but I am stating that we have to keep our priorities in line with what’s really important. Besides, the environment at those kinds of concerts is not exactly the kind that encourages me to practice my faith, nor does it uplift me spiritually. I was debating whether to go to OKC or not, and when Imad said that, I was like: “What the heck? Why not? Let’s go to OKC.” I posted a response to Imad, saying: “Imad, you might get a surprise visit, God willing. Stay tuned.” Thank God that the weather was beautiful outside, so it made the decision that much easier. :) Anyway, I jumped in the car and took off to OKC. It helped that I had a couple of music CD’s that I could listen to while I was driving, so I decided to pop the first one in. It was a CD that I had compiled of my favorite Islamically-inspired Muslim singer, Sami Yusuf. I don’t mind going to the concerts of Islamically-inspired Muslim singers, because it is their music that uplifts me spiritually and strengthens my faith in God Almighty and His Final Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad son of Abdullah (may God Almighty’s peace and blessings be upon him always). Anyway, once I got finished with Sami’s beautiful songs, I then grabbed the other CD, which contained songs by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), Kareem Salama (the first-ever Muslim country music singer), folk singer Dawud Wharnsby, traditional nasheed singers Zain Bhikha and Mustaqiim Sahir, hip-hop/rap groups Native Deen and Outlandish, and a couple of songs by Cat Stevens during his non-Muslim days, “Peace Train” and “Morning Has Broken.” I listen to songs by non-Muslims as long as the lyrics conform to Islamic beliefs. Anyway, as I was pulling into the An-Nasr Mosque’s parking lot, Kareem Salama’s song “Chivalry’s Not Dead” was finishing. After it finished, I turned off the car and got out and headed into the mosque. Lo and behold! The first one I met when I entered the mosque was none other than Imad himself. Wow! Talk about great minds thinking alike! :) Anyway, Imad said as soon as he saw me: “I was thinking to myself: ‘I think Samir’s coming to OKC today.’” I was like: “You think?” LOL. :) Anyway, I prayed the Maghrib (Sunset) and ‘Isha (dusk) prayers combined when I entered the prayer hall, and I could combine the prayers since I was considered a traveler because I was far away from home, and then sat down as the class was starting. I was very humbled to see the faces of joy that the other brothers had when they saw me. I am very grateful to have such wonderful people to call as my brothers-in-faith. Anyway, as soon as I sat down, Imad said: “We are pleased to have Mr. Samir Rafael Elneser joining us from Ardmore for the class today.” I was like “Thanks, Imad,” smiling sheepishly. :) Anyway, the class got started, and Imad proceeded to talk about the Prophet Joseph (pbuh) and his ordeal while he was in prison to protect him from the Egyptian prime minister’s wife, who, along with the ladies at her side, wanted to commit adultery with him, and Joseph felt that the best way to protect himself from this temptation was to ask to go to prison. Just a side note here: Imad talked about the fact that the pharaohs didn’t rule Egypt during this time. He didn’t mention who did rule, but according to my understanding of history, and I could be wrong, but a Semitic people from the Arabian peninsula called the Hyksos ruled Egypt for about 200- 250 years, so it was probably them that Joseph (pbuh) dealt with. Anyway, while in prison, he taught the prison inmates about the Oneness of God Almighty, and therefore being so loved by the inmates that it was said that if an inmate got out of prison, he would deliberately go back to prison just so he could be with Joseph (pbuh) again and have fellowship with him. :) Anyway, there were two special prison inmates that would have their fate judged, one condemned to death and the other allowed to live and be free. Joseph (pbuh) came to know who the surviving one would be, which was the king’s butler, and proceeded to tell that butler something to the effect of: “When you go in front of the king next time, if you have time, put in a good word for me.” However, the butler forgot for a few years, once he was released from prison, to mention to the king about Joseph (pbuh). After a few years, one night the king had a dream. In that dream, he saw 7 fat cows and 7 skinny cows. He saw the 7 skinny cows eating the 7 fat cows. He also saw 7 green bales of hay, and 7 dry bales of wheat. Perplexed by this dream, he called his advisers to him and asked them what this dream meant. The advisers thought that the dream was a mixed-up mumbo-jumbo dream that made no sense. However, they qualified their belief by saying that they were not experts in interpreting dreams. This is when the butler stepped in, remembering his promise that he gave Joseph (pbuh) to put in a good word for him in front of the king, and he told the king that this man named Joseph (pbuh) who was in prison, knew how to interpret dreams and could be of help to the king. Some ministers said yes and some said no, but the king said “Tell this Joseph (pbuh) about my dream.” The butler forthwith went to Joseph (pbuh) in the prison and, embarrassed by the fact that he had forgotten till now to put in a good word before the king like Joseph asked, said to Joseph (pbuh): “O truthful one! The king has this dream, and he would like to know what it means.” Joseph (pbuh) obliged in interpreting the dream. He said: “The 7 fat cows signify 7 years of prosperity and abundant harvests of crops, and the skinny cows signify 7 years of drought that will follow the 7 years of prosperity. He advised the butler to advise the king to eat only of what is needed from the prosperous years and to save the rest, not even removing the bushels from the wheat. The skinny cows eating the fat cows meant that the Egyptian people will be eating during the years of drought what they saved up during the years of prosperity, which also is exactly what the green and dry bales of wheat meant. Joseph (pbuh) then told of an additional prophecy, saying: “When the 7 years of drought are over, the people will squeeze whatever they have left to survive.” The butler took Joseph’s (pbuh) words to the king, who, being pleased with what he heard, said “Bring Joseph (pbuh) to me.” With that, the class ended, to be continued next week, and I made the call for the ‘Isha prayer, and then we sat down and ate some briyani, which is good, as long as it’s not too hot.  Then I prayed ‘Isha with the community, even though I already prayed it before, because the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us that when the time for the community to pray has come, even if you prayed before, everyone still has to pray. To me, that means basically to keep the community united and to make sure that people are not skipping the prayer on purpose while in the mosque. Anyway, once the prayer was over and after Imad related a quick saying from the Prophet (pbuh) pertaining to the Banu Nadir, one of the original Jewish tribes of Medina who were originally politically allied with the Prophet (pbuh), but relations had deteriorated so extensively between them that they eventually plotted to kill the Prophet (pbuh) and were expelled from Medina as a result, that was the end of my trip to OKC, and I left the mosque and headed home, listening to the music that I had listened to on the way to OKC. It was a wonderful experience, and to Imad and the other brothers-in-faith who were so kind, I say “God bless you and keep in His Protection always. Ameen (Amen).” Peace and take care.

Samir Rafael Elneser

Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States of America

Yo, Dave.  What’s up with this ad campaign?  It’s so awful — and who the hell are these people?  They just assume we know who the hell these people are!  And what’s with this message of  — like — personality.  Yeah, I’ll have personality if I make lots of money and sell out to frickin’ T-Mobile…

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
cause theres a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
cause theres a million ways to go
You know that there are

Chorus:
You can do what you want
The opportunitys on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
You see ah ah ah
Its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
cause theres a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
cause theres a million things to do
You know that there are

Chorus

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
cause theres a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are

Álbum: Harold & Maude OSB (A&M Records, 1971)

La historia de Cat Stevens es de las más extrañas del mundo de la música, y mira que hay historias extrañas. Hijo de madre sueca y padre greco-chipriota, y llamado Cat por ocurrencia de una novia (decía del cantante que tenía “ojos de gato”), Cat Stevens fue una de las mayores estrellas mundiales de la música en los años 60 y 70. Sin embargo, en 1978 , decide abandonar la música, convertirse al Islam y pasar a llamarse Yusuf Islam.

Cat Stevens...o Yusuf Islam

Por suerte, en estos últimos años, ha vuelto a realizar conciertos y en 2006 volvió a grabar un disco “An other cup”.  Hace un par de añitos, quizás hubiese elegido Father and son, Peace Train o The First Cut is the deepest, pero si acudes a la boda de un amigo, rodeado de otros tantos a los que ves muy de vez en cuando, y en esa ceremonia, otro amigo se pone a cantar..

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
‘Cause there’s a million things to be
You know that there are

Escucha la canción aquí

Si te ha gustado, descárgala aquí

So the other day I heard the new T-Mobile commercial playing the Cat Stevens song and I thought “I like this song, let me see if Itunes has it”. I wasn’t sure of the name so I googled “Cat Stevens song Teen Mobile”. Little did I know that people are asking you to boycott T- Mobile because it is using a Cat Stevens song called “If you want to sing out, sing out”.

Cat Stevens converted to Islam in 1977 and adopted his new Muslim name, Yusuf Islam. He was accused of being somehow associated with a terrorist group…I find that very hard to believe. Uh…have you heard Peace Train. He has been given several awards for his work in promoting peace in the world, including 2003’s World Award, the 2004 Man for Peace Award and the 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace.

After 9/11 he appeared on video condemning the attacks and sang “Peace Train” for the first time in public in more than 20 years. He donated a portion of his box royalties to the fund for victims families and the rest to orphans in underdeveloped countries. Oh…I see now…this is why we should boycott T-Mobile…how dare he do that!!!

Yusuf Islam

In 2004 he was denied access into the U.S being on the “no fly list” and was detained by the Department of Homeland Security (the actual name on the list was Youssef Islam…his name being spelled Yusuf). In 2006 he was then let in the U.S . He then later wrote a song about his deportation called “Boots and Sand” recorded last year. (listen below)

I really think it’s OK to support T-Mobile. Cat’s cool. I don’t see how that voice could be harmful.

For a time in the early 70s, Cat Stevens was the hottest folk-rock artist on either side of the Atlantic. Born Steven Demetre Georgiou, he took the stage name Cat Stevens in the mid-60s just as he was launching his musical career on the London club scene. His run of five Top 10 albums, Tea For the Tillerman (1970), Teaser And The Firecat (1971), Catch Bull At Four (September 27, 1972), Foreigner (1973) and Buddha And The Chocolate Box (1974) garnered millions of units sold, several Top 40 hits, and awards for songwriting, particularly with the oft-covered single “The First Cut Is The Deepest,” which Stevens wrote in 1967 and received ASCAP awards for songwriter of the year in 2005 and 2006. Catch Bull At Four came at the peak of Steven’s career, following the massively popular Tea For The Tillerman and Teaser And The Firecat, which blended folk, light rock and easy listening sounds and allowed Stevens to find avid listeners on both AM and FM radio. Although it hit #1 in the U.S., Catch Bull At Four was something of a letdown after the previous two albums and signaled the beginning of the end. Stevens seemed to lose the magic and delve deeper into religious themes and harder, non-pop sounds, and the album sold well for only a short time. The last two of the five album run plus a Greatest Hits release in 1975 were all that was left. Two modest sellers, Numbers (1976) and Izitso (1977) preceded Stevens’ announcement of his conversion to Islam, a name change to Yusuf Islam, and an official retirement from public performances. He finally released a retrospective album in 1990 and two studio works in 2006 and 2009, but the glory days were gone. Cat Stevens is in the Playlist Vault on DrRock.com. Catch Bull At Four is available as a CD on Amazon and as download tracks on iTunes.

The summer is indeed over but that don’t mean the fun has to stop.Here’s a few soundbites of the latest news in the world of touring musicians.We know Aerosmith had to cancel a heap of shows this past summer just when their tour with ZZ Top was giving a bang for your bucks due to Steven Tyler’s stage accident at Sturgis.Well you can no longer dream on because the band is back in the saddle again.it seems this year was’nt the only year the band had to cancel shows. Concert producer Tom Moffatt has announced that Aerosmith is coming to Hawaii next month for two appearances and says Tyler is feeling great and everything is back to normal.The Oct.20 concert at the Maui War Memorial Stadium will help settle a class action lawsuit filed by disappointed fans after the band canceled a sold out concert on Maui in 2007.Lead guitarist Joe Perry in the next coming months will also be touring to promote his second ever solo album.Soundbitenews wishes all the guys in Aersomith the best & look forward to that new Aerosmith CD in 2010. For more news on Aerosmith visit aeroforceone.com & get pumped!

Environmentalist and singer-songwriter, Tracy Lyons, is joining Everclear on several tour dates throughout the month of October. The 11-city tour begins in New York City at the Highline Ballroom on October 5th and concludes October 21st at Showcase Live in Foxboro, MA.To kick off the tour,Lyons’ new single “These Days” is being released from her upcoming album entitled ‘Mercury Rising’ due in early 2010.The new single was written and performed by Tracy,produced by Juno award winner Greg Kavanagh and engineered by Grammy veteran Ed Cherney.Recipient of the 2008 Best Folk/Acoustic Artist Award at the Hollywood Music Awards,Tracy Lyons is preparing her new album as a follow up to her acclaimed 2006 release,”I Will,”which was co produced by Grammy winner KC Porter and Greg Kavanagh.

Singer Wayne Newton plans to come back to the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate a 50-year career.Officials for the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel-casino said Wednesday that the 67-year-old “Danke Schoen” crooner plans start a limited run next month.The show, titled “Once Before I Go,” is billed as a look back at Newton’s career and life story.Newton says in a statement that the show is exciting and artistically challenging, and “the kind of show I’ve always wanted to do.”In addition to stints at various Las Vegas casinos, Newton toured Australia in 2006 and also appeared on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”Welcome back Wayne to Vegas!

Last but not least,we thought this would be some interesting news to know that,”Cat Stevens” has announced his first tour since 1976.Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, says this will be his first full tour in 33 years.He is set to play material old and new at the dates,which kick off in Dublin on November 15. A gig in London, at the Royal Albert Hall, has also been announced.He played a show of largely cat stevens songs in London back in May to celebrate the 50th birthday of his label Island Records.”Cat Stevens” which I still prefer to call him will also play material from his new musical,called ‘Moonshadow’,at the gigs.No signs of any dates here in the US,so until then I guess we got our old “Cat Stevens” albums to listen to.

Stay tuned as we release a special Album & Tour announcement very soon.We figured the news needed an article all by its’self.

Credits: Soundbitenews

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