Spirituality in Hip Hop Pt. 3: Haram or Dawah?
From left to right: Lupe Fiasco, Stalley, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)
“I love rockin tracks like John Coltrane love Naema
Like the student love the teacher
Like the Prophet love Khadijah…”
Did you know Khadijah was the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife? I didn't until I heard Black Star’s “Astronomy (8th Light).” It’s not spelled out in the song, but a verse sparked my curiosity. Come to find out Muhammad’s first love proposed to him! Hella progressive for the 7th century.
The embers of art can ignite wonder. The Muslim world has often leveraged the inspirational power of poetry. Whether through the bards who exemplified valor in the Quran, the mysticism of 13th century Sufi poet Rumi, or the stories of the West African griots.
Muslim rappers like Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Lupe Fiasco, and Jay Electronica have ushered this tradition into the modern era. Islam plays an integral role in their socially conscious rhymes. Yet, despite their piety, and the benefits of popularity, they’re not always given the credit they deserve among the Ummah (Muslim community).
“My sheik said because of my tattoos, Heaven I'll never see…” rapper, and devout Muslim, Stalley rhymes on “Raise Your Weapons” (2013). The verse by the Ohio emcee hints at the Islamic concept of Haram. An act that is forbidden by Allah (God). A prohibition some extend to music.
Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale, better known as Napoleon, a former member of Tupac’s ‘90s hip hop group Outlawz, explains in the documentary “Deen Tight,” that since converting to Islam his views on hip hop have changed. Beale is among those that argue that music is an affront to Islam. A strict reading of the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) could lead one to this conclusion, but as with most religious texts, it’s subject to interpretation.
Perhaps, the poetry from our favorite emcees can raise Islamic cultural awareness. It may steer the wayward to the faith, also known as Da’wah. What better mode of transportation than America’s most popular and influential musical genres?
“Yo, yo, my men and my women
Don’t forget about the deen (way of life pleasing to Allah)
Sirat al-Mustaqeem (straight path)”
In the Emmy-nominated Hulu series Ramy, the title character battles with the challenges of being a first-generation Egyptian American, Muslim, millennial in Jersey City. He’s a lost soul, who believes that faith will help him find his way. Ramy’s journey is filled with pitfalls and contradictions, which are only exacerbated by his bad decisions.
Incidentally, Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali (the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award) appears in the second season of the series as Ramy’s Sheikh (spiritual leader). Many don’t know that Ali began his entertainment career as rapper Prince Ali of the Bay Area’s well-respected, underground rap collective, the Hieroglyphics.
Ramy Hassan and Mahershala Ali in Hulu’s Emmy-nominated series “Ramy”
Music isn’t addressed in Ramy, but thorny topics like sexism, racism, xenophobia, homosexuality, and others are. The series brings home the reality that the answers to life’s difficult questions do not come easy.
So, is hip hop haram or halal (permissible)?
I recently spoke with a Muslim chaplain about faith and spiritual experiences. The moments you feel closest to God. This can be the calm brought on while gazing at an ocean’s horizon. The moments of creativity when we feel possessed by the divine. Getting lost in a song. We both agreed on that one.
Music finds a way into the everyday rhythms of our lives. Often, the feelings brought on by a good song are indescribable. Arguably, spiritual.