AsSalaamu Alaikum,

Is it possible to have an inclination to music? Or is it that music is so alluring that one can become so emersed in it to where it becomes second nature to be “musical”. Music has been part of my life since I can remember. My grandmother would sing to me, we had a song ” Lettuce and Tomatoes”, I would hum classical music on new york transportation as a child. So is it because I’ve been around music for so long that I have this so called inclination to reference music in my discourse or is it that I’m naturally inclined to music. 

     What does it mean to be naturally inclined to music? It is  to be naturally attracted to music – it is innately part of life. Can someone be naturally inclined to murder, or heinous acts? Are people naturally inclined to be homo or hetero sexual? Or is it something that develops from being nutured by a society engaged in these acts,orientations,tendencies or forms of art.Why do people feel it necessary to justify their inclinations? Without justification there is no stated reason.Without a stated reason, there is no purpose. Without a purpose there is no use. Why bother? Someone once told me, one must control their nafs (souls) or their nafs will control them. I think it is important that we as mankind be very careful to things in which we incline ourselves. I’m inclined to listen to music, however, upon listening to the lyrics of that catchy beat with the alluring chorus, I find that the context of this song is degrading my sense of judgement to other people.  If one is in a war torn country in which killing is part of life to survive, their inclination to murder due to particular reasons, while honorable and just on the surface is really wrong and opposite to the ideologies in which one may justify the act. As a poet, I’ve always been careful about what and how I write. Interpretation is how one takes it. Indeed, men can surely take words and make them anthems, reasons, for heinous acts.  Reason why things are the way they are. The act and response to words becomes important because it is the direct manifestation of one’s understanding.  Similarly, with clothes and attire involved with one’s attire and perception. Alhamdulillah, we have the freedom to wear what we want or even to be stark naked in some areas if we choose to. The deeper concern is the why behind it all. What does it all mean. Yes akhi, the brothers in the hood where their pants sagging to their knees. SubhanAllah!  They know not it’s origins. They understand not that such an action is a homosexual male call of availability in prison.  Yes ukhti, you wear the hijab or rather the qimaar Alhamdulillah, but what’s more is that the hijab is form of protection and dignity for one’s self against the harm of lustful eyes attracted to the ornaments of a woman. What’s more important than what one does is the understanding behind the action. What Allah judges us on are intentions as well as our actions. So no, the clothes don’t make the man or woman, they make the clothes but what one wears should represent and does represent the tendencies and characteristics of that person.  You can learn a lot about a person who comes to work wrinkled. With enough time and thought one could probably analyze the entire day of that person.  now compare your thoughts to what is reality. may not be exact but similar.  Allahu Allum. I’m thinking out loud on internet.

May Allah guide us all on the Straight way. Astaghfirullah.

AsSalaamu Alaikum,

Abdul At-Tawwaab