Muslims pay their respects to Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, the reclusive pop star who dominated the pop charts in the 1980s, passed away yesterday after suffering from cardiac arrest.
Many knew Jackson as the King of Pop, the moonwalker whose soulful music defined a generation. But few were aware of Michael Jackson's connection to Islam.
Although he was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, Jackson reportedly converted to Islam in 2008. Jackson's brother, Jermaine Friday -- who converted to Islam in 1989 -- reported that Jackson took a great interest in Islam after being shown books from his trip to Mecca.
"When I came back from Mecca, I got him a lot of books, and he asked me lots of things about my religion, and I told him that it's peaceful and beautiful," Friday said.
Although Jackson never confirmed his conversion himself, Muslim readers from around the world paid their respects to the deceased pop star.
"Abi here from Cape Town South Africa. As a Muslim, I was very touched by his recent reversion to ISLAM. May ALLAH (God Almighty) grant him a high place in paradise... Amen," said ABDURAHMAAN BAILEY.
"He will stay the star #1 in our hearts . You federate people all over the world through your music. May Allah put his rahma in you.Rest in peace From all your Belgians fans," wrote Nanou.
(Read more after the jump)
"Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon From God we come and to HIM we shall return! Rest in Peace, Mikaeel. You are a shining beacon testifying to the fact that ALLAH guides whom HE wills. Allah bestow HIS choicest blessings upon you in the Hereafter. Ayaad Almaas South Africa," wrote Ayaad Almaas.
"dear michael rest in peace may Allah have mercy on you brother and i hope that you will finally find the happiness, comfort and true love that you were seeking in this world but never found. i'm not sad that you died for i'm sure that you are now more comfortable by the will of Allah. praise be to Allah the all mighty for guiding this good man to the right path before he died," said zach salem.
-- Brendan Bigelow
Photo: Michael Jackson walks into the Santa Maria Superior Court in March, 2005.
Credit: Carlo Allegri / Getty Images
Michael Jackson was not a KAFIR (disbeliever)
He was just a Pop star, that testified that ALLAH is ONE
and Jesus Christ is NOT his Son
May Allah forgive all the believing men and women, the young and the old the black and the white, the living and the dead, especially our dear brother in Islam, Michael, May Allah save him from the terror, terror, terror of the grave!!! Ameen.
Posted by: Syed Saifu-dean Al-Hasani Ali Khan | June 26, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I am a Pakistani of Muslim background writing from Islamabad. To me it doesn't matter if Jackson was Muslim or not... we should stop trying to limit him to this religion or that religion. He belongs to the entire human race.
Posted by: YLH | June 26, 2009 at 01:18 PM
we all remember him but incedently he died we cant believe and digest this story
Posted by: zeeshan | June 26, 2009 at 02:26 PM
I am a Muslim and an American and I agree with YLH.
It does not matter if Jackson was Muslim. His music was beautiful and he was a treasure for the whole human race.
Posted by: SA | June 26, 2009 at 02:40 PM
rip michael we aall love you ndd hu eva doesnt iz jst jealous becuz yu've achieved alott nd yu had alot of fans behind yu i duno wah to sei i styl cnt believe it rip michael x
Posted by: myriam | June 26, 2009 at 02:53 PM
May Allah have mercy on all. May Allah forgive all of us the living and the dead.Praise be on to him the mighty one.I am paying my respects to a muslim brother.Michael rest in peace
Posted by: Amina | June 26, 2009 at 03:02 PM
I hope he converted to Islam
Posted by: mike | June 26, 2009 at 03:47 PM
We as humans can be very nasty, when he was down he was weird now he died he is a legend,No matter what religion he was He is a TRUE LEGEND of our time and all these artists today are all singing about cars, jewels, handbags ,shoes this is not music its garbage What ever anyone wants to think about him he packed out stadiums sold tickets in mins and sold more albums than them all no other artist can accomplish that. A true artist !!
May God bless him, and look after his children.
Posted by: Syed | June 26, 2009 at 04:24 PM
all homes around the wrold at the same time should play Billie Jean...I got my CD on standby let me know what time
Posted by: Jamal | June 26, 2009 at 04:28 PM
it dosent matter what his believe was i"m a Afghan an a Muslim but i always loved him i mean always, he was my hero my icon , i hope he will be i the heaven.
THE MUSIC IS DEAD AT LEAST FOR ME, tHE KING HAS GONE
FROM WAIS WITH LOVE LOVE U M J
Posted by: Wais | June 26, 2009 at 05:14 PM
GOD IDEA jAMAL IM WITH YOU LETS DO IT , LETS PAY A TRIBUTE TO THE KING
Posted by: Wais | June 26, 2009 at 05:19 PM
If it is true that he convert to Islam and became a muslim, then this will be his highest SUCCESS that the king of pop ever achieve. By now he should be in TRUE peace
Posted by: Rbani | June 26, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Allah bless him, may Allah forgive ur sins
Posted by: Baedlowi | June 26, 2009 at 07:16 PM
MJ, YOUR ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE SONG WAS MY MOST FAVORITE SONG EVER..... till this very day, that God has taken ur borrowed life...We are very thankful for all the happiness u had shared to mankind...May the next generation will ever treasure your music.. You made our lives realized the value of relaxing our minds through appreciating your music... we love you very very much..I cant help to shed tears thinking that God has taken you already..MAY YOU REST IN PEACE..AND WE KNOW FOR SURE , YOU ARE NOW IN THE HANDS OF OUR SAVIOUR... YOU'RE A GEM EVER TO BE TREASURED... We love you michael....mimi from phils.
Posted by: maria from philippines | June 26, 2009 at 08:26 PM
To God we belong, to Him is our return. The dead have gone before, we will surely follow them. May God may Michael his beloved for he was used & abused in this world. Everyone used his music, and loved him, but barely gave him any protection from his abusers. Now, Michael is with the best of Protectors, God. RIP
Posted by: Zahira Ahmed | June 26, 2009 at 08:59 PM
I'm Indian, we love Michael. May Allah rest his beautiful soul in His Merciful eternal peace.
Posted by: Zahira Ahmed | June 26, 2009 at 09:00 PM
i think that allah almighty forgive jackson,may his soul rest in peace.
Posted by: ahsan aftab | June 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Praise be to "ALLAH" the most exalted who guided this good man(michael jackson) to the right path of islam befor he died. May "ALLAH" bestow his choicest blessings upon him,Ameen. I also want to request every one who have still not adopted islam to embrace it because all the success,peace,comfart is within islam. And to seek success,peace outside of islam means to seek for water from mirage. Please read about islam to know its authenticity and purity and ask "ALLAH" the almighty to guide you to embrace islam.
Posted by: gohar khan | June 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I am a muslim from Sudan.
I hope Mikaeel died as a Muslim ... may Allah mercy be upon him, we still waiting for clear declaration from his family confirming that he died as a Muslim, and he will get Islamic funeral. some body said it doesn't matter if he died as a Muslim or as a KAFIR? no man ! it's eternal life after death in Heavens or in Hell, so let's ask Allah that he died as a Muslim and reward him Heaven ... INSHA ALLAH
wa alssalamu 'aleikum
Posted by: Hisham A.Rahim | June 26, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Islam is not only a religion but humanity for all human being in the earth. Micheal Jackson was a singer those who represent humanity & love. Micheal was one of the best human in the world ! In Islam one smile treat as gift, Micheal distrubuted billions of gift for human, so he is one the best in our life !!!
Shameem
Posted by: Shameem | June 26, 2009 at 11:48 PM
i think some people are being sentimetal in saying that they dont care about michaels religion ---------WHEN HE HIMSELF DID and thats the only thing now he has -that he came to this world did a lot-which will be forgotten-but he also did fulfill the purpose of his life -repenting anmd accepting the truth-that there is no god except God and muhammad was a messenger of God.
thats so much better than a million senti fans and a billion dollars. i guessthats why he left them for his Lord.
Allah hafiz.
Posted by: azam | June 27, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Its hard to believe, it could be a consiparcy like one happened for Bruce Lee. Any how Michael reached the humanity through his style of music and dance which no other musician has ever done or can ever do it in future ! He is a legend. Let his soul rest in peace.
Posted by: FRANKLYN STANLEY | June 27, 2009 at 01:16 AM
the Thriller is gone but the Thrill remains
Posted by: chugito23 | June 27, 2009 at 02:29 AM
I think it's a great feeling for every muslim if MJ died as a muslim. it's a fact that one day every body will go from this world. But if a person goes as a muslim then it's a froud for every muslim....
Posted by: Mohd Usman | June 27, 2009 at 05:14 AM
Whether Michel is Muslim or not, I believe all race/religion in this world love him. If he converted, Alfatihah..
Posted by: Athar Ali | June 27, 2009 at 06:01 AM