Will Michael Jackson Have An Islamic Burial?

Michael Jackson’s death came as a shock to many including myself. It was only recently that I had heard of his conversion to Islam in November 2008. At first I suspected them to only be rumours until I read about it in the news that he had changed his name to Mikaeel. Finally, only Allah (swt) knows what was in Michael’s heart.

There are more speculations whether his funeral will be as per the Islamic tradition. It is no secret that his brother Jermaine Jackson had converted to Islam in 1989 and was one of the influences in Michael’s conversion. The following video is his comments on the passing away of his brother.

It can be considered as Michael had indeed converted and there will possibly be an Islamic funeral although there are no confirmed reports as yet. His death certainly serves as a reminder that each and everyone of us will die.

3:185 (Picktall) Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter Paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.

May Allah accept his shahada (testament of faith) and forgive his sins. Ameen.

Through The Eyes of A Muslim Convert

I had typed up the post a week or so back but I’m only completing it now so here goes:

Have you ever looked at Islam from the point of view of a convert? I love learning about how they opened their hearts to Islam and what they saw in Islam and Muslims that attracted them. Many of the converts knew Muslims with amazing characters and usually it was the simple gestures that made them want to know more about Islam. That should be just one reason for us to be motivated enough to be better Muslims, inshaAllah.

Here’s one of the videos that I truly enjoyed watching:

Just some of the points that were brought up that I appreciated them talking about is:

1. Doing our work to please Allah (swt) rather than to simply please others. The benefit of that is that even though people may not appreciate you, Allah (swt) always will and He will reward us in ways no one else can.

2. How Allah is always watching us and is aware of all that we do and this knowledge prevents us from sinning and if we do sin then we constantly seek Allah (swt)’s Forgiveness.

3. Changing our purpose from wanting things from this life and material things to concentrating on pleasing Allah and being happy and thankful for with what we have.

4. Being humble and patient which most of us have difficulty with.

5. Looking at problems and difficulties as challenges and looking at it as a chance to please Allah (swt) and learn and benefit from them.

The purpose of sharing these thoughts is because often times we take our actions, our practice of Islam and Allah’s Mercy for granted and we tend to slack in aspects of how we practice Islam. By looking at other Muslims, it can inspire us to change and become better and closer to Allah, inshaAllah.