There is no shortage of negative role models in today’s society. After Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend there was a Tweet that was circulated which aptly sums up, how things have gone wrong. It stated: “First it was Tiger Woods (who was promiscuous), then it was Lance Armstrong (who was exposed for doping) and now it is Oscar Pistorius (who allegedly murdered his girlfriend). The question is: Will you still continue idolize these so called icons and celebrities?”
On Friday the 8th of March 2013 Radio Islam International hosted a Panel Discussion looking the importance of role models in the life of a Muslim the impact of idolising Pop Stars, actors and celebrities. The contributors to the programme were; Moulana Bilaal Moola, Imam of the Marlbro Masjid, Ml Shaakir Ismail, Imaam of the Haughton Masjid and the discussion was facilitated by Moulana Yusuf Omar of Radio Islam.
The guest on the panel began the discussion by analysing the current conditions of the Muslim Ummah and the impact that the West have on shaping our mind sets and ideals. Ml Bilaal said that the Western media has had a greatly impacted on people’s minds in a negative way. The media calls towards evil. There has always been a call to evil therefore; this is not a new phenomenon. It was also found at the time of Nabi Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam.
Ml Bilaal continued by saying that the Kufaar would repeatedly invite and call the Muslims towards disbelief. They would say: “Leave your Deen! Leave your Quraan! Leave Your Prophet and adopt our life style we are enjoying the luxuries of this world. Your pleasure are restricted to that which conforms with the teaches of Islam. Fallow us and will enjoy all the pleasures of life. “
In the 20th Juz of the Quraan, Allah Ta’ala conveys the invitation of the non-believers . The Unbelievers would say to the believers: "Follow our path, and we will bear (the consequences) of your faults. Never in the least will they bear their faults: in fact they are liars!{ Surah 29: Verse 12} Ml Bilaal added that this is exactly what we find today. The disbelievers have created these so called ‘celebrities’ whose lives invites towards evil.
“The reality is that the lives of these so called celebrities and super-stars are empty. When we hear the word celebrity, what comes to mind pomp, glamor, fame, money etc. This is the life that the youth of today aspire to have. It seems to be very attractive. But this is not the reality. In fact they have very rough and robotic lives. Their lives are superficial. On the other end if you look at the lives of the Sahab Radiyallahu Anhu, they had depth.” added Ml Shakir Ismail
Ml Bilaal spoke about the increase desired for name and fame among the youth. He said that this has reached unprecedented levels. One of the great harms of this is that a person is deprived of living his own life because there is a constant agenda of impressing others. This leads to peer pressure: ‘So and so has gone for holiday so I need to go. ‘So and so has purchased a new item so I also need to purchase it’ etc. This desire for fame puts a person through a great deal of uneasy discomfort. People go to the extent of buying a car beyond their means with money they do not have simply to impress others. They willing to endure the difficulty of paying of a loan, simple because of the recognition they receive from driving a particular car. Fame and recognition in itself is not bad. Allah grants it to whoever he wills. The problem is when one has a drive for it, aspires for it and endeavours to attain it.
The guest concluded that the way forward was to fully embrace the Sunnah of Nabi Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam. It is such a complete and wholesome way of life that has left us independent of having any need to copy or emulate other nation or people. The love of the Sunnah should be kindled in the hearts of children from a young age. Parents should serve as role models, practising on every Sunnah and passing it on to their children.
Yusuf Moosagie
27th March 2013
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