Perhaps this makes me a heretic in these shallow times of communal groupthink, but what I am on is not what Mr Mega Celebrity is preaching, at all. To me, that’s just egocentric hyper capitalism; the complete opposite of the call of faith.
It’s true that some Muslims are extremely rich. Good for them, assuming it’s the fruit of halal gain. That’s their rizq. If they want to drive an expensive car or live in a huge house, it’s no business of mine. Wealth and success is halal, so long as it is achieved by ethical means.
But as for the boastful arrogance: to me, this flies in the face of everything I know of the deen, which is supposed to make us humble. A characteristic of the believers is haya — shyness, modesty — not brash self-praise. This path is not a call to make our ego king, all I am, I am, I am, but to centre our lives around the One.
Islam doesn’t need celebrity converts. Rather those celebrities need Islam. They need it, as we all do, so as to reform their hearts, purify their deeds and grant them humility. Our Book is explicit about the folly of calling others to faith, while neglecting our own transformation.
Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves, while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?
Qur’an 2:44
Forget prancing around before great crowds, intent on preaching to the masses. Islam is not a get-rich-quick scheme, although I admit there are many who would give that impression. On the contrary, it is a path towards establishing a state of safety and health for all.
The best thing the celebrity can do right now is to sit back down, and begin the hard work purifying their intentions, heart and deeds, striving as far as possible to make everything they do ethical and sound. Long is the journey, but ever necessary.
The alternative is compounded confusion. If young people believe that thing he is preaching is Islam, God help us!
Last modified: 30 December 2022
