What are the views of the rest of the members of your
family about you?
When I returned to America, my mother had
already heard the news of my conversion to Islam. My mother is a religious and
civilized woman. When I reached home, she put forth only one question, “you
have taken this decision all of a sudden, or is it the outcome of some deep and
long thinking behind it?“ “I have decided after a lot of thinking about it,“ I
replied, let me say we are known as a religious family. Whatever we possess,
is due to the blessing of God. Then why we should not be grateful to Him? This
is why we actively participate in the charity institutions. We dispatched
medicines to the poor African countries through special aircraft. During
Bosnian war, our aircraft were engaged in supplying aids to the [affected]. We
are sensitive to such things because we have witnessed abject poverty. We used
to live in a house which was hardly a few square meters capacious.
Did you ever discuss about Islam with your sister pop
star Janet Jackson?
Like other members of my family, my sudden
conversion to Islam was a great surprise for her. In the beginning, she was
worried. She has stashed into her head only one thing that Muslims are
polygamous, they do have as much as four wives. When I explained this
permission granted by Islam with reference to the state of the present American
society, she was satisfied. This is fact that promiscuity and infidelity is
very common in the western society. In spite of the fact that they are
married, western men enjoy extramarital relations with a number of women. This
has caused devastating moral decay in that society. Islam safeguards the
social fabric from this destruction.
As per Islamic teachings, if a man is
emotionally attracted towards a woman, he should honorably give this relation a
legal shape otherwise he must be contented with only one wife. On the other
hand, Islam has laid down so much conditions for second marriage that I do not
think that an ordinary Muslim can afford to meet these conditions financially.
There is hardly one percent Muslims in the Islamic world who have more than one
wife. To my view, the women in an Islamic society is just like a
well-protected flower which is safe from the stray penetrating looks of the
viewers. Whereas western society is devoid of the vision to appreciate this
wisdom and philosophy.
What are your spontaneous feelings when you look at
the Muslim society?
For the larger interest of humanity, Islamic
society presents the safest place on this planet. For instance, take the
example of women. American women are clad in their out-fit in such a manner
that gives temptation to the male for harassment. But this is unthinkable in
an Islamic society. Besides, the prevalent sins and vices have disfigured the
moral fabric of western society. I believe if there is any place left where
the humanity is still visible, it can not be anywhere else than in an Islamic
society. Time would come when the world would be obliged to accept this
reality.
What is your candid opinion about the American media?
American media is suffering from
self-contradictions. Take the example of Hollywood. The status of an artist
is measured here keeping in view the model of his car, the standard of this
restaurant that he visits, etc. This is the media that raises someone from the
dust to the skies. They do not consider the artist as a human being. But I have
met so many artists in the Middle East. They have no misplaced arrogance in
them.
Just look at the CNN, they do that much
exaggeration about some news that it appears that nothing else has happened
except that event in the world. The news of fire in the forests of Florida was given such a wide coverage as it gave the impression that the whole globe has
caught fire. In fact, it was a small area, which was affected by that fire.
I was in Africa, when the bomb-blast took place
in Oklahoma City. The Media, without any proof, started hinting at the
involvement of Muslims in that blast. Later on the Saboteur turned out to be a
CHRISTIAN!!! We may term this attitude of American media as its willful
ignorance.
Can you maintain a Linkage between your Islamic
personality and the culture of your family?
Why not? This linkage can be kept up for the
achievement of good things.
After becoming Muslim, did you ever happen to see
Muhammad Ali?
Muhammad Ali is our family friend. I have met
him a number of times, after embracing Islam. He has provided useful guidance
about Islam.
Have you visited Shah Faisal mosque in Los Angeles city?
Yes, of course! This is a beautiful mosque. I
am myself interested to construct a similar mosque in Falise area because there
is no mosques in this area and the Muslim community is not resourceful enough
purchase a piece of land for a mosque in such a posh area. God willing, I
would do it.
Who is ignorant of the services of Saudi Arabia for the glorious cause of Islam?
No doubt it has leisurely financed the projects
for mosques. But this American media even does not spare Saudi Arabia; it spreads quite strange news about this country. When I first visited Saudi Arabia, I had the impression that there would be muddy housed and a very poor
communication network. But when I reached there, to my great surprise, I found
it culturally the most beautiful country of the world.
Who has influenced you, so far as Islam is concerned?
Many persons have impressed me. But the fact is
that first I turn to the Holy Quran, therefore I do not run a risk of getting
strayed on the way. However, there are many Islamic scholars that one can be
duly proud of. God willing, I plan to go to Saudi Arabia with my family to
perform Umrah.
Your wife and children are Muslims too?
I have seven sons and two daughter who, like me,
are fully Islamic-oriented. My wife is still studying Islam. She insists on
going over to Saudi Arabia. I trust InshaAllah [God-Willing], she would sooner
join Islam. May God Almighty give us the courage and perseverance to remain on
this true religion, Islam. (Ameen)
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