Michael Jackson's passing is almost as fittingly mysterious and dramatic as was his life. Everyone has their own MJ stories about how his music played a role in their lives, but tlooking back it seems like there were two of him, pre-Thriller and post-Thriller. Pre-Thriller, MJ was a musical icon, but afterwards with his descent into eccentricity, face bleaching, and retreat into a literal Neverland of his own making, MJ took on the status of living myth. The power of that myth persisted despite bankruptcy woes, accusations of child molestation, and other slings and arrows, so much so that last year when rumors of Jackson's conversion to Islam began to float, they sent a shockwave of fascination throughout the world.
Though his conversion was never confirmed (and outright denied by his publicists), the idea of Michael Jackson as Mikael Jackson proved too powerful to let go. It's fascinating how muslims in particular are now responding to his death; this thread at Talk Islam has attracted many readers who normally don't comment to leave a message and express their sorrow and prayers. That MJ was a muslim is simply assumed as a given, and the thread is full of the muslim prayer for the dead, Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. His death has clearly touched muslims as one of their own, and the question of his belief only adds to the mythos he leaves behind.
Rest in peace, Michael. Like Marilyn Monroe, you've become immortal in a way that almost no other celebrity has ever become.
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I don't know, but only pray that MJ accepted Islam as his religion. However, no one except him and Allah will know that and Allah is the only and one true God and judge. I am definitely sending prayers his way.
Please read an interesting analysis of the statement by Hazrat Isa (a.s.) (Jesus Christ) "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
-- John 14:6-7
http://www.answering-christianity.com/john14_6.htm
May the One true God guide whoever reads this to the truth. Inshallah.
Especially when a celebrity is involved, an educated person should know not to believe anything except that which they see with their own eyes. Did Michael Jackson ever come outright and say he was "such and such" religion? Not directly. But Michael Jackson's faith and beliefs are his own as they are for any individual. If he was a Muslim, do we accept him automatically for that? What if he had been a raging axe murderer? Is he still accepted because he is a Muslim? Or what about if he was a good man (all rumors set aside) who claimed to be a Christian? Do we then reject him despite any good he tried to bring to the world?
All I am saying is that, as a Muslim, it doesn't matter what beliefs Michael Jackson claimed-- what is true comes from the heart. Just as it does for any individual in the world. Thus, we shouldn't be staking claim on what Michael Jackson believed when only God knows. Instead, we should take him for how we see him, and leave the rest to God.
Michael Jackson's death is a SURE loss to humanity, music world and of
course his three children; above all his parents!
We are just MORTAL beings ourselves; who possess NO right to comment
on the cause or the aftermath of what religion, faith or ideals MJ
believed in! There is an OMNIPOTENT force, to decide upon all of us;
whether it pertains to Faith, belief, character and or "right or wrong" doings. Since what we might feel is our most "virtuous" deed;
and vice versa; it could be judged by GOD otherwise! Who knows?
I strongly feel that MJ was a real kind, warm and humane person; otherwise MJ could NOT by any means produced the "soulful and sublime"
music; which was the PURE outcome of his soft and tender-heartedness.
To be honest with you, all ARTISTS in the entire trade and field of
FINE ARTS and AESTHETICS are supposed to have an ECCENTRIC STREAK in
them, no matter what religion, caste, creed or colour they belong to!
LOVE and REGARDS to one and all.
Sincerely,
Gubba ALI.
How can anyone say for sure that MJ used bleaching chemicals to change his complexion! Instead of asuming and using terms to make us feel as though we know what went on, let us just be cool. If you knew anything of MJ, you knew he had a skin problem called Vitligo and that turns your skin beyond Albino. And He used a lot of makeup to cover his face and exposed areas.
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