"Deen" in Arabic means religion or way of life. The group identifies themselves as Muslim, and wear traditional Islamic dress such as kufis and shalwar kameez. Of course, they say there is more than one way to identify as a Muslim, both by etiquette and dress. Their music is hip-hop style, with lyrics on Islam and several of their songs focus on living as a Muslim in America amidst pressures and temptations. All of their music is positive, tolerant, and generally upbeat. As Native Deen, they perform at Islamic conferences, fundraisers, weddings, and holiday gatherings (usually in Ramadan and Eid-ul-Adha). They are relatively well known among the North American Muslim youth, and have toured internationally.
Native Deen came about through M.Y.N.A. or Muslim Youth of North America. The project was a gathering of amateur recording artists who've written their own work and MYNA featured these artists on the MYNA RAPs' album. Three of the artists from these albums, Joshua Salaam, Abdul Mailk Ahmad, and Naeem Muhammad, who were all solo, started a group where they could do this professionally, and the result was Native Deen. Their music is produced under the Mountain of Light label, which was founded by Yusuf Islam (previously known as Cat Stevens).
Intentions
Native Deen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I really gonna' make it, when there is no one there?
Taking trips to the masjid (mosque), even when it's tough
Am I going for the sake of Allah? Am I showing off?
Gonna' get me the knowledge, gonna study Islam
Am I going just to build my ego? So they call me "the Man"?
Does it matter if the people respect me, when it's not for Allah?
When I know anytime He can take me, without one real du'a (prayer)
When I get no reward for my deeds
And I'm dragged on the Day of Resurrection
Cause of the folks that I wanted to please
Plus I know that Allah has the power
To raise me up in their eyes if it need be
I should always make my intentions, for my Lord, Allah completely
Chorus: Are my Intentions alright? Am I doing for Allah?
When I'm looking deep, deep down inside, do I have the right niyyah?
Wearing thoubs with a kufi, kufi
Miswaks leather socks like the old days
Am I trying to follow the Prophet? Or am I seeking praise?
Giving talks on Islam to people
I'd be quoting Hadith and Qur'an
Am I speaking so they like how I'm speaking? And they say I'm "the Bomb"
Donating to Islamic centers, giving money so the Deen can grow
Am I giving for the sake of Allah? Or is it for show?
Many times I have found my intentions
Are not what I want them to be
I know I start on the right direction
But Shaitan starts talking to me
And I forget that without my niyyah, I'm just wasting my time
My intentions cannot bring the reward, when they're out of line
So I pray to Allah to help me, to do everything for Him only
Doesn't matter if the people despise me
Cause with Allah I can never be lonely Yah Allah, accept this niyyah
Coming from young Muslims striving to be believers
So on the day, our deeds You'll measure. Know we only did this strictly for Your pleasure, Your pleasure
Your mercy, Your ajur (reward), Your Jannah (heaven), forever and ever and ever
And reward us for those who listen
Heeded to the message, changing their condition
And know that everything up until this point I've ever written
I submit as my repentance
And if it's blessings You're sending my way
I beg You hold them to the judgement day
So maybe in Jannah you can look back and say... It was a lovely day, a lovely, a lovely day, yes a lovely day
Are my intentions, alright, am I doing for Allah
When I am looking deep deep down inside, do I have the right niyyah (intention)?
In the song "Intentions" by Native Deen, the verses reflect on the importance of sincere intentions in activities done for the sake of Allah. The artist questions whether or not their actions are purely for Allah or if they are seeking recognition from others. For example, the first verse discusses the struggle of waking up for prayer when no one else is watching. The artist wonders if they are doing it only for show or if their intentions are to please Allah. The second verse reflects on actions such as studying Islam, giving talks on Islam, and donating money for the sake of Allah, but still questioning whether or not their intentions are pure.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of having the right intentions and doing things solely for Allah's sake. Furthermore, the song empowers the listener to aspire to have the right intentions and seek Allah's pleasure, rather than seeking validation or recognition from others.
Overall, "Intentions" is a thought-provoking reminder of the essence of Islam and the importance of sincere intentions, regardless of what others think.
Line by Line Meaning
Waking up in the morning, gotta make my prayer
Starting the day by fulfilling my religious duty of prayer
Am I really gonna' make it, when there is no one there?
Questioning my dedication to prayer when no one is watching
Taking trips to the masjid (mosque), even when it's tough
Striving to attend mosque even when it's difficult
Am I going for the sake of Allah? Am I showing off?
Asking myself if my motivation for attending mosque is pure or if I'm seeking attention
Gonna' get me the knowledge, gonna study Islam
Dedicating myself to learning about Islam
Am I going just to build my ego? So they call me "the Man"?
Questioning whether my desire for knowledge is rooted in humility or pride
Does it matter if the people respect me, when it's not for Allah?
Realizing that seeking respect from people rather than Allah is pointless
When I know anytime He can take me, without one real du'a (prayer)
Recognizing that Allah can take my life at any moment and that my true protection comes from Him
Does it matter if they say I'm a big shot?
Questioning the value of people's praise when it doesn't come from a place of true sincerity
When I get no reward for my deeds
Realizing that if my actions aren't done for Allah's sake, they won't bring a true reward
And I'm dragged on the Day of Resurrection
Knowing that I will be held accountable for my intentions on the Day of Judgment
Cause of the folks that I wanted to please
Recognizing that seeking to please people rather than Allah can have serious consequences
Plus I know that Allah has the power
Acknowledging Allah's complete power and control
To raise me up in their eyes if it need be
Understanding that Allah can elevate my status in the eyes of others, but only if it's for His sake
I should always make my intentions, for my Lord, Allah completely
Understanding that true intentions are always rooted in Allah, and striving to maintain that sincerity
Wearing thoubs with a kufi, kufi
Dressing in traditional Islamic attire
Giving talks on Islam to people
Sharing the message of Islam with others
Am I speaking so they like how I'm speaking? And they say I'm "the Bomb"
Questioning whether my motivation for sharing Islam is pure or if I'm seeking praise from others
Donating to Islamic centers, giving money so the Deen can grow
Supporting the growth of Islam through charitable donations
Am I giving for the sake of Allah? Or is it for show?
Questioning whether my charitable giving is pure or if I'm seeking attention
Many times I have found my intentions
Acknowledging that maintaining pure intentions can be difficult
Are not what I want them to be
Realizing that my intentions may not always align with my desires
But Shaitan starts talking to me
Recognizing the influence of Satan in tempting me away from pure intentions
And I forget that without my niyyah, I'm just wasting my time
Understanding that without sincere intentions, my actions have no true value
My intentions cannot bring the reward, when they're out of line
Realizing that impure intentions negate the reward of my actions
So I pray to Allah to help me, to do everything for Him only
Turning to Allah for guidance in maintaining pure intentions
Coming from young Muslims striving to be believers
Acknowledging the source of the song's message
So on the day, our deeds You'll measure.
Acknowledging Allah's judgment of our deeds
Know we only did this strictly for Your pleasure, Your pleasure
Affirming that the song's message is rooted in seeking Allah's pleasure above all else
Your mercy, Your ajur (reward), Your Jannah (heaven), forever and ever and ever
Focusing on the eternal rewards of seeking Allah's pleasure above all else
And reward us for those who listen
Asking for blessings for those who listen and internalize the song's message
Heeded to the message, changing their condition
Hoping that the song's message will inspire positive change in people's lives
And know that everything up until this point I've ever written
Acknowledging the song as an act of repentance and submission to Allah
I submit as my repentance
Affirming the song's role in seeking Allah's forgiveness
And if it's blessings You're sending my way
Recognizing that blessings come from Allah alone
I beg You hold them to the judgement day
Pleading with Allah to allow those blessings to count towards my judgment
So maybe in Jannah you can look back and say... It was a lovely day, a lovely, a lovely day, yes a lovely day
Hoping to be rewarded in Jannah and earn Allah's acknowledgement of the song's sincerity
Are my intentions, alright, am I doing for Allah
Reiterating the central message of the song: seeking pure intentions in all actions for the sake of Allah
When I am looking deep deep down inside, do I have the right niyyah (intention)?
Encouraging introspection and reflection on one's intentions to ensure they align with the purest of motivations: pleasing Allah
Contributed by Evelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@muneebafakhrul1107
Where my Ramadan 2024 gang at? This song is so deeply nostalgic for me! I hope we’re all praying for Gaza ❤
@NasivateLifestyle
PREACH SHEEESHTA !
@noorsltn
I always used to sing this when i was younger not really knowing the meaning of it, but as i listen to it today i learn the true meaning. We need to know our true intentions
@saadasfour9334
Where my 2020 ppl at —————>
@malikyassin8895
Here!
@Pents420
innit
@QaylulahPerformance
Checkin in 2020! Alhamdulilah
@oaktutor1154
Locked and loaded for 2020 tests sir!
@ladanhassan9368
Ikr but Here!
@JohnWick-rw6gz
Subhanallah how the times have changed. My fellow brothers and sisters please, no matter how hard the fitna is around us stay strong and patient. By the will of Allah he will guide us.