Michael Jackson's lawyer has just clarified that the King of Pop isn't a Muslim, which is good to know, yet some responses from sanctimonious Muslims regarding his alleged reversion still trouble me.
From online comments under news stories to remarks on blogs and Facebook, an air of disgust permeated cyber-space that Jackson's alleged reversion would somehow taint the image of Muslims. Some oft expressed sentiments were:
“Don't convert. We have enough crazy and retarded people. We don't need more.”
“He only converted because he was being sued for 7 million by the shaykh.”
“We don't need a pedophile among us.”
“He's only seeking publicity for his new album. He's broke now, you know?”
All of this reminds of two stories of false judgment, which took place in the time of the Companions.
On one occasion, Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) sent Khalid bin Al-Walid to invite Bani Jadhima towards Islam. After the men of Bani Jadhima accepted, Khalid bin Al-Walid killed them based upon an old grudge and that he did not believe that they truly accepted Islam. When informed of this massacre, the Prophet (SAAS) said, “Oh Allah! I am free from what Khalid has done!”
On another occasion during a battle, Usamah bin Zayd was engaged with a combatant when the combatant slipped. As Usamah was about to strike the enemy with his sword, the fallen man proclaimed Shahadah, yet Usamah killed him anyway. The Prophet (SAAS) later exclaimed, “Did you kill him after he said it?!” Usamah replied, “Oh Messenger of Allah! He only said it out of fear of the sword.” The Prophet (SAAS) replied, “Did you look into his heart, oh Usamah?!”
We should be happy if Jackson or any soul embraces Islamic monotheism. Moreover, we should not judge who would or would not make a “good Muslim”, nor attempt to judge what is in a person's heart. Only Allah and that person know the sincerity of the reversion.
Let us remember that our Prophet (SAAS) said, “It is better for an imam to err in pardoning than for him to err in punishing.” He (SAAS) also said, “Justice in one hour is better than a year of [spiritless] worship.” Jackson has not been convicted of pedophilia, and it is not proper to state that he lacks the constitution to be a “good Muslim” because of crimes that he denies and was acquitted of.
Lastly, if Jackson reverted to Islam, it would mostly likely pique the interest many people to take their first look at Islam, not harm the image of Muslims. The actions of fringe political extremist groups, who blow themselves up on a regular basis in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan are the major blemish, which we contend with in the eyes of most non-Muslims. We survived Mike Tyson when he screamed about eating a competitor's kids and “all praises due to Allah!” We survived rapper Beanie Siegel's drug conviction and rehab after he lamented in a song “I spit gangsta, think Muslim and act kafir.” We'd also survive if Jackson became Muslim even if he weren't a model Muslim.
The Prophet (SAAS) stated, “Blessed is he who is preoccupied with his own faults than being preoccupied with the faults of others.” My advice to all of us is that we take account of ourselves on a daily basis before Allah takes our account. Let Jackson do Jackson; you do you.
