Dunya Idol

By Umar Al Mujahid Abdur-Rasheed

Formerly
Anthony Navarro

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In a world full of celebrities and a
mass media that throws them in
your face every second of the day;
it’s no wonder that children, teens
and even some adults are influenced
to look, dress and even act like
celebrities. This to me, seems like a
form of idol worship. The dictionary defines the word “idol” as:

1- A person, an image or other material object representing a deity to

which religious worship is addressed.
2- Any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or
devotion.
3- A figment of the mind; fantasy.
4- A false conception or notion; fallacy.

So you can see that an idol, besides being someone or something worshipped
other than God is someone or something that attracts a person’s admiration,
adoration or devotion giving them a false sense of reality. Knowing this, it’s
clear to see that today’s celebrity filled
media is giving the masses idols to base
their lives around. How many kids
watch a television show and then
immediately start acting out what they
just saw? How many teens and young
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adults follow the latest popular trends set by
celebrities and pop culture? Dressing like,
thinking like and imitating these people who
are not necessarily role models, just for the
fact that they are famous is now normal in
society. They are regular people with flaws
just like any one of us. The only difference is
that their lives are being watched by the
world and people fall for the trick of Shaytan
(the devil) in thinking that their way is the
right way to want to live. Looking attractive will give you confidence and
boost your self esteem. Wealth, fame and materials will make up for your
short comings. Unfortunately they don’t…. and won’t.

Allah says in the Qur’an: “And He said: "You have taken (for worship)
idols besides God, out of mutual love and regard between yourselves in this
life; but on the Day of Judgment you shall disown and curse each other: and
your abode will be the Fire, and you shall have none to help you." (Al-
Ankaboot, 25)

Are these the people we want to look and act like?

Aren’t there better role models out there than
singers, rappers, actors and athletes? Will
following these people help us attain Paradise or
will they lead us into Hellfire? These are the most
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important questions because at the end
of the day when we all stand in front of
our Lord and have to answer for how
we lived our lives, can we really expect to
say, “I looked and acted just like Lady
Gaga and 50 Cent”? NO! You will
curse these people for tricking you into
acting and living like them. Why?
Because it lead you away from true
success and right into punishment from your Lord. Allah (God) had
already created for us perfect examples of how we should live our lives. Men
who would teach us the true nature of existence and how to be successful on the
most important day in the history of mankind. They are called “Prophets”.

Allah says in the Qur’an: Surely there is for you in God’s Messenger an
excellent example for him who aspires to God and the Hereafter, and
mentions God often. (al-Ahzab, 33.21)

The Prophets of Allah (God) were the best

examples on how one should live their life.
This was their job in the first place, to come to
earth and teach those who went astray how to
live properly. So why have we abandoned
these great examples for the ignorance and
foulness of celebrities and modern society?
We have been tricked into thinking that the
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“high life” is what we should aspire to gain, when in reality, living for this
kind of life will only distract us from what is really important…. the worship
and obedience of Allah.

So many times I have seen young women buy

clothes and dress a certain way because of an
actress or singer. The “Sex and the City”
mentality has young girls not wanting to get
married or have children. They would rather
have random sexual partners with no real
commitments to a family. Too many times I
have seen young men risk their lives and freedom
to sell drugs and to be a part of gangs, imitating
rappers and that “thug life” illusion. A life
chasing lusts and desires is now popular and
widespread. Religion and Allah (God) have
been replaced with a Godless, lust and desire filled
way of existence.

The Prophets taught to worship God,

honor your parents and neighbors. Be
kind and generous. Be charitable to those
you know and to those you don’t know. Be
fair and just in dealing with people. Do not
hurt anyone on purpose. No cheating or
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stealing. Can we honestly say that this is the way that the world is acting?
It’s the complete opposite of what the Prophets taught. Shaytan’s (the devil)
way of life is reigning and will continue to do so until we realize that if we are
not imitating the Prophets in every word, action
and thought, then we are giving into the Godless
way of life created by the enemy of Allah
(God)…. Shaytan (the devil).

Get back to your true and pure roots. Study these great men and you will see
a life filled with peace, purpose, satisfaction and hope. This pop culture life is
one of falseness, illusion and lies which will leave you feeling empty no matter
how much wealth, materials and fame you acquire. The only real satisfaction
can come from Allah (God), and trying to seek it from anyone or anything
else will just lead to ruin.

“Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28 )

“But whoever turns away from the Quran, he will have a hard life, and We
will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.” (Quran 20:124)