Come to Success

Dear Readers,

As-Salaamu Alaykum! (Peace be with you). If you are a friend of peace and justice, you are someone I care about. As such, I want to share with you the best of what I have. I have no doubt shared my opinions on political issues and my music, but I have so far neglected to share with you my most prized asset: Islam.

I hereby invite you and all people of conscience to believe in the Creator of the universe, the One God we call Allah. Allah sent many prophets, including Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) with a common message: to worship Allah alone, without partners.

Allah is the reason for my contentment and inner peace. How can I be ungrateful for any of Allah's gifts? Even the trials are gifts, for they help cleanse my sins and cause me to reflect on the fact that this short life is but a testing ground. As Allah says in Surah Al-Asr: "By the token of time, verily Man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual enjoining of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy."

Allah is the reason I have no fear of any of Allah's creation, for none can harm me except by Allah's will, and I accept Allah's judgment, whatever it may be.

Allah is the reason I exert myself beyond my 9-to-5 job and my family responsibilities to take a stand against injustice. I fear the day when I will be held accountable before Allah for the things I failed to do while injustice and oppression reigned.

Allah is the reason I have hope, because Allah has promised to reward those who show faith, patience and perseverance in the face of adversity. These will be the successful ones on the Day of Judgment.

I want you to be among the successful. I want us all to be among the successful.