As an Imam of the community and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Jackson Family. To our brother in Islam, Jermaine Jackson, please convey to the other members of the Jackson family that millions of Muslims are praying for them at this time of this unexpected loss. The Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, was known to say upon the death of a person these words from the Qur’an, Inna lilahi wa inna alayhi rajioon (From Allah we come and to Allah is our return) Ameen.
I was born in 1956 and grew up with the “Jackson 5”. I was inspired by the music, TV appearances and TV animated cartoon series featuring the Jackson 5 (Wow-with their Afros). You and your brothers were heroes and role models for Black kids before The Cosby Show. The Jacksons and Michael Jackson broke the racial barriers and stereotypes to Blacks, to White Americans and to the world. At family gatherings kids would dance and the older Black folk would give them money, if you could do a Michael Jackson move. The Jackson family brought joy and hope to our lives and our homes during a time of great stress in America.
Some months ago the world received credible reports that Michael Jackson had accepted Islam. Allah continues to guide people to the path of peace and for that we are grateful. My regret is that so many artists are reported to have come to faith-Iman, yet the Muslim community and its leadership has failed to reach back. Perhaps the wall of celebrity can explain some of it. It also says something else; Imams in America need to do a better job of sharing the love of Allah. Brother Jermaine, I don’t think we have been there for you, your brother or your family and for that I am truly sorry.
I am committing myself today, June 28th 2009, upon the death of your brother, to reach out more to people in the arts and to be a support for them spiritually, without fanfare, seeking nothing in return but to nurture their faith and I beg others to do the same. Muslim artists such as Mustaqiim Sahir, Dawwud Wharnsby, Yusuf Islam and millions in the UK have spoken highly of your spirituality, Br. Jermaine Jackson and the world morns the loss of your brother and our brother, Michael Jackson.
We pray that Allah will make the loss of your brother easier and may Allah reward him with the mercy, which is due him, from the charity, which he has given, and the joy that he has shared with the world. We know that death can come to anyone at anytime, let us continue to prepare before Allah closes our eyes for the last time.
Your Brother in Islam,
June 26, 2009 at 5:23 am |
[...] Original post by Imam Johari Abdul-Malik [...]
June 26, 2009 at 7:28 am |
This is devastating news. I was literally stopped in my tracks when I heard the news this morning in the UK. I am still quite shocked with it all. Micheal was a fantastic, beautiful and gentle brother who has experienced so much over his short life.
He had the tenacity to overcom all of the negative things said about him and rose above it all as a true believer would do. I was so glad that he embraced Islam and lived it to the best of his ability. He is a true beacon to all Muslims of what the can achieve if they truly believe.
Yes, Islamic leadership and the community – especially those of an African American background – should have been there for him, his family and other reverts. Did they think that Muslims from other cultures would have done it for them instead? Are they seeing a dependency on other muslim communities to do things for them while they do little or nothing to give serious Islamic help support and protection to new African American reverts? Yet, when nothing comes from muslims of other cultures, they complain about it? This is shameful.
As an African Caribbean Muslim in the UK, I have seen the same type of thing happen here. It has led to enormous problems for us, as we wait to be accepted by muslims of other cultures, yet this acceptance is still nowhere in sight! We can’t afford to lose another caribbean muslim generation. We’ve got to start helping outselves. Allah helps those who help themselves – but he does not help those who do not help themselves.
So, let’s recognise this problem, find some real solutions and, most importantly, consistently practice them. Maybe brother Micheal’s passing will help to bring the light that the African American and Caribbean Muslims need to start helping themselves and create a genuine Ummah here in the west!
All of my condolences go out to his immediate and extended family, friends and well wishers. He is a great man.
By the way, He’s not really dead – we just can’t see him anymore!
As salamu alaykum.
June 28, 2009 at 3:50 pm |
Assalamualaikum Adam,
Dont worry so much about your plight Adam. Allah is always there. You cant go wrong if you do what Allah tells you to do and do not do what Allah tells you that you cannot do.
June 26, 2009 at 4:04 pm |
On behalf of my entire family I wish to convey my sincere condolences to you my brother in Islam Jermaine Jackson on the demise of our dear brother Michael Jackson. May Allah accord him maximum peace in his death and bless him with the reward of Jannah, Amiyn. Michael will always be in our hearts.
June 26, 2009 at 4:11 pm |
On behalf of my entire family I wish to convey my sincere condolences to you my brother in Islam Jermaine Jackson on the demise of our dear brother Michael Jackson. May Allah accord him maximum peace in his death and bless him with the reward of Jannah, Amiyn. Michael will always be in our hearts.
I will appreciate if you would make it clear to the whole world, especially to muslims, that he was a muslim brother. We are all praying fr him.
June 27, 2009 at 12:45 am |
I was deeply saddened to hear about br. Michael’s sudden death.My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of br. Michael, during this difficult time.
May Allah’s grace strengthn you all, and may br. Michael’s soul find peace and comfort.Ameen
With Heartfelt condolences and my deepest sympathy,
Your sister
Ahmeda
June 27, 2009 at 4:29 pm |
[...] Amid all the commentary on the death of Michael Jackson (may God be merciful to him), this letter from an American imam caught my eye. Some months ago the world received credible reports that Michael Jackson had [...]
June 27, 2009 at 4:51 pm |
Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihim raju’un!!! May the soul of Michael Jackson rest in perfect peace and may Allah continue to guide the rest of us into the right path. I want to extend my condolence to Jamine Jackson and the entire Jackson family for this great loss. His conversion to Islam an ‘ayat’ from Allah, and InshaAllah many more people like him will convert to Islam.
June 27, 2009 at 10:10 pm |
To Brother Jermaine Jackson and Family:
I would like to send my condolences to you and your family for your loss. I pray Allah God almighty will give you ease soon and help you through this difficult time. Michael was an amazing human being and sacrificed his childhood and life for all of us. We benefited so much from his gift and hard work. Generations to come will still benefit from his excellence. I thank you and your brother Michael for showing us how it is done. Your whole family has influenced me to become a singer and songwriter which I have used for the sake of promoting the real face of Islam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZA6jjqKYug
May Allah give Michael His Mercy and reward him for the good he has done for humanity.
Jazakallahu Khairan
Mustaqiim Sahir
June 28, 2009 at 4:50 am |
WE ALL ARE FROM ALLAH AND WE ALL HAVE TO RETURN TO ALLAH. My Mikaeel’s soul rest in peace. May Allah bless him his mercy and forgiveness and reward him with Jannah.
May Allah give great patience to loss stricken family and give them reward.Though it it is irreparable loss but,we all have to go the same way.Allah’s blessings are with those who are patience.
June 28, 2009 at 5:48 am |
Dear Brother Jermaine
AS Salam Alay Kum
My heart felt condolences to you and your maily family.
May Allah give you strength and peace.
June 28, 2009 at 3:42 pm |
Assalamualaikum Imam,
My contribution of AlFatehah was already mentioned just hours after Mikaeel’s death. Thanks to the internet, we here in Malaysia received the news very early. I was a bit disappointed though cos there were also Malaysians who were not aware that Mikaeel converted to Islam in November last year. I had to call the broadcast head of one of the local radio stations to stop playing MJ’s songs on the air so as not to torture his Muslim body and soul now. May Allah bless Mikaeel’s soul.
June 28, 2009 at 10:37 pm |
Evan Chandler Lied!
After the sudden death of Michael Jackson Evan Chandler tells the truth.
evan
In 1993, Chandler told a psychiatrist and police that he and Jackson had engaged in sexual acts that included oral sex, the boy gave detailed description of Jackson’s genitals. The case was settled out of court for a reported $22 million, but the strain led Jackson to begin taking painkillers. Eventually he became addicted.
Now maybe for the remorse of his death Chandler decides to tell us the truth. ” I never meant to lie and destroy Michael Jackson but my father made me to tell only lies. Now i can’t tell Michael how much i’m sorry and if he will forgive me ”.Evan Chandler was tape-recorded saying amongst other things, “If I go through with this, I win big-time. There’s no way I lose. I will get everything I want and they will be destroyed forever…
Under the influence of a controversial father (Jordan Chandler) told his son to tell that Jackson had touched his penis.Jordan Chandler then told a psychiatrist and later police that he and Jackson had engaged in acts of kissing, masturbation and oral sex, as well as giving a detailed description of what he alleged were the singer’s genitals.
” Now for the first time i can’t bare to lie anymore. Michael Jackson didn’t do anything to me, all was my father lies to escape from being poor.”
June 29, 2009 at 12:38 am |
To Jermaine Jackson and family. May God give you patience during this time. May God have mercy on your brother, Michael.
June 29, 2009 at 2:14 am |
Far from Indonesia … here we also would like to express my deep condolence… insha Allah brother Michael Jackson is with the forgiveness and blessing of ALLAH… amiiin ya rabbal alamiin
June 29, 2009 at 12:07 pm |
Assalamu alaikum,
I wish to convey my sincere condollences to the brother Jermaine Kackson over the death of Mikaeel (Michael) Jackson.
May Allah forgive his sins and grant him Jannat-al-firdaus.
June 29, 2009 at 4:39 pm |
God-Willing michael Jackson has passed away from this world with the shahada ,and May Allah swt except that from him and forgive his sins. I found some of Michael Jacksons songs to have a very powerful message ,and i leave that those songs revealed mj’s genuine concern for the world ,May Allah swt guide the whole jackson family to the bliss of Islam ,and so my condolences to the family at this time of sadness ,we all need to experience both joy and sadness to grow and develop ,losing a loved one is always heavy on the heart and i hope some trustworthy Muslims are offering whatever they can to help. All Praise is to Allah the Lord of the world ,The Most Gracious and Ever-Merciful ,and May His Blessings and Peace be upon His Beloved Messenger Muhammad. Ameen.
June 29, 2009 at 8:26 pm |
May Allah have mercy on Michael and guide him to a place in Paradise, ameen. Allah is Most Merciful and he is the one with the Final Judgement. My condolences to the Jackson family in this their time of grief and sorrow. I pray that your suffering be shortened by the mercy of Allah.
June 30, 2009 at 12:09 am |
Rest in peace Michael and you will be always remember in my prayers.
Till now we cannot really accepted your sudden death. People still feel that a part of their lifehad gone.
Surely we will miss you Michael,but you will benever forgotton. Allah will bless you. Amin
June 30, 2009 at 12:47 am |
May Allah grant him the peace he long waited for.
-ameen.
June 30, 2009 at 6:05 am |
Allahu akbar……the Truth comes out…….Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!
June 30, 2009 at 6:07 am |
It sounds like some1 (chandler) needs to put his face down to the floor and pray that Allah will b merciful……(All the riches in the world won’t get u into Jenna, Evan )
July 7, 2009 at 7:58 am |
Alfatihah.. may Allah, the Almighty shower you with his Mercy, we supplicate for you. Ameen
July 7, 2009 at 5:10 pm |
I still can’t beleive Micheal is gone.I have been a fan all of my life. I’m a few years older then Micheal.My sympathy goes to his children and family. I will miss Micheal for ever.God bless you Micheal.Micheal will be in my heart for ever.
July 8, 2009 at 12:07 am |
Germaine, I want to express how sad I feel about Michael’s death and express my deepest regret for the hurt you,the children and your mother are feeling at this time. I know that the Lord has taken Michael so that he can make music in heaven. I will remember Michael and the family in my prayers.
August 4, 2009 at 4:26 pm |
I am still sad about death of Michael Jackson’s death. Allah forgive him and also all of us. ameen.
December 3, 2009 at 4:05 pm |
Great read! thx