"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).
Test
Native Deen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems like life is trying to mess with you and pester you
You thought you knew exactly what to best pursue
You working hard on those things that you set to do
But you confess it's true that your success is few
And your folks are only helping in depressing you
You try to do the Deen but they be stressing you
And it gets to you but you suppress that too
You pray and write, hope for a grade you like
But when you get the test you're in dismay and fright
There's no A in sight and only 8 were right, wow!
And what about the sister you enquired about
She's so pious, devout that it required a scout
But then you get the news her Wali fired you out
They were wired, no doubt, to someone higher in clout
Lately its seems that your calling in life
Is just you falling in strife
The word appalling is right
And you notice you've been feeling sick, why who knows
So you call upon the doctor she can eye it close
She tells you I suppose, that you wont be very happy when I diagnose
Although you try your hardest not to cry it shows
It's a monster load, and your strength is sinking
You start wondering and thinking
What's going on? it seems all wrong, why am I the one struggling along?
I don't know why I'm hurting, I never hurt nobody
My life I'm living right, but it's crumbling around me
How strong is my faith this time? (got to pass the test)
Will my solution include Haram? (got to pass the test)
I gotta be strong during times like these, (got to pass the test)
I know after hardship there goes ease! (got to pass the test)
It's a test, (from Allah), a test (from your Lord), it's a test (what you gonna do?), gotta realize it's a test (4x)
Folks used to say you were smarty kid
Others made mistakes but you hardly did
Since then man, life has just been marvelous
You stand tall like an obelisk
It's obvious
Your high paying job is never arduous
Your living in your crib and you got marble this and marble that
Others dream to rival that
And your blessed to never draw major debt
because success is your motto nothing keeps you down
Passing peeps in town, yo by leaps and bounds
People clapping when you talk because of deep renown
You drive Hummers and top model jeeps around
You know its bad and haram to be a miser and boast
But your healthier and wealthier and wiser than most
You gotta an adviser to those, who try to propose
Cause there's so many potentials that they line up in rows
You got it all, the power the money the wealth
Your thinking God's gotta love you more than anyone else
But wait Whoa wait a second, this isn't what your thinking
You gotta stop and think why you getting all the blessings
Don't want to let it shake ya, or let the devil make ya
Forget to praise Allah and then fail the test your taken
No doubt you're gonna try your best
Gotta be thankful and pray no less
Already gotta head up above the rest
Cause you realize this is just a test
Chorus
So face it, in life, you'll be tested at times
The devil, he's bright, don't let him mess with your mind
Yo, we're blessed, the Divine, which is the best for mankind
So He (God) gives us exams so don't get stressed out and whine
Even the best of all humanity was tested Himself
Allah can test us with calamity or test us with wealth
Can you hold back from profanity and focus yourself
Or maybe keep away from vanity and function in stealth
It's tough, trust me I know that it's rough
But after pain comes ease and you'll be blessed from above
I hope when the time for my test comes along I will cope and I'll find I'll be blessed when I'm strong
So my people, when life is a mess
You gotta focus and realize, this could be your test.
The song "Test" by Native Deen is an inspirational track highlighting the struggles and tests every human being faces in their daily lives. The lyrics are a reminder that life is not always smooth sailing and that even the most righteous people get tested. The song highlights various scenarios of tests, including failing an exam despite putting in hard work, being rejected in love despite being pious, falling sick, and facing hardships even after achieving success. The lyrics encourage listeners to stay strong during such tough times, to have faith in Allah and to remember that after hardship, comes ease.
The song aims to provide comfort to listeners who may be facing trials and tribulations. It emphasizes that testing is a part of life and is not an indication of someone's faith, but rather an opportunity to show faith and devotion. Through the song's powerful lyrics and message, the band urges listeners not to lose faith in Allah and to stay strong in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately things have been so stressed for you
You have been going through a lot of stress lately.
It seems like life is trying to mess with you and pester you
Life seems to be bothering you and trying to bring you down.
You thought you knew exactly what to best pursue
You believed you had a clear idea of what goals to pursue.
You working hard on those things that you set to do
You have been putting in a lot of effort to achieve your goals.
But you confess it's true that your success is few
You admit that you have not been very successful in your endeavors.
And your folks are only helping in depressing you
Even your family members are contributing to your feeling of sadness and despair.
You try to do the Deen but they be stressing you
You are trying to follow your religious beliefs, but others are making it difficult for you.
And it gets to you but you suppress that too
You feel overwhelmed but are trying to keep your emotions in check.
An exam, you go and study day and night
You have been studying diligently for an important test.
You pray and write, hope for a grade you like
You are praying and hopeful for a good grade on the test.
But when you get the test you're in dismay and fright
You are shocked and scared when you receive poor test results.
There's no A in sight and only 8 were right, wow!
You did not even get an A, and only scored 8 right answers.
And what about the sister you enquired about
You were interested in a particular woman from your community.
She's so pious, devout that it required a scout
She seemed very religious and it took some effort to learn more about her.
But then you get the news her Wali fired you out
However, you find out that her guardian rejected you as a potential suitor.
They were wired, no doubt, to someone higher in clout
You suspect that they may have had connections to someone influential who did not approve of you.
Lately its seems that your calling in life
You are feeling like your purpose in life is unclear.
Is just you falling in strife
You feel like you are only facing difficulties and hardship.
The word appalling is right
You think that the situation is truly awful.
And you notice you've been feeling sick, why who knows
You are also experiencing physical symptoms, although you are not sure why.
So you call upon the doctor she can eye it close
You consult a doctor to try and identify the cause of your physical discomfort.
She tells you I suppose, that you wont be very happy when I diagnose
The doctor warns you that you may not be pleased with the diagnosis of your condition.
Although you try your hardest not to cry it shows
You are doing your best to contain your emotions, but it is evident that you are struggling.
It's a monster load, and your strength is sinking
You feel like you are carrying a heavy burden and your resolve is faltering.
You start wondering and thinking
You begin to reflect on the events that have led you to this point.
What's going on? it seems all wrong, why am I the one struggling along?
You are questioning why you are experiencing so many difficulties.
I don't know why I'm hurting, I never hurt nobody
You are confused and feel like you have not done anything to deserve your struggles.
My life I'm living right, but it's crumbling around me
You feel like you are doing everything right, but things are still falling apart.
How strong is my faith this time? (got to pass the test)
You wonder if your faith is strong enough to help you through this difficult time.
Will my solution include Haram? (got to pass the test)
You worry that you may resort to forbidden actions to try and resolve your problems.
I gotta be strong during times like these, (got to pass the test)
You recognize the need to remain strong and resilient during challenging times.
I know after hardship there goes ease! (got to pass the test)
You believe that after experiencing hardship, easier times will follow.
It's a test, (from Allah), a test (from your Lord), it's a test (what you gonna do?), gotta realize it's a test (4x)
This entire situation is a test from Allah and you must keep reminding yourself of this fact.
Folks used to say you were smarty kid
People used to compliment your intelligence.
Others made mistakes but you hardly did
You were usually better behaved and did not make as many mistakes as others.
Since then man, life has just been marvelous
Your life has been great since you were younger.
You stand tall like an obelisk
You feel confident and successful.
It's obvious
This is clear to you.
Your high paying job is never arduous
Your job is well-paying and not too difficult.
Your living in your crib and you got marble this and marble that
You live in a luxurious house with many expensive decorations.
Others dream to rival that
Others wish they could have the same possessions as you.
And your blessed to never draw major debt
You are fortunate to not have any major debts or financial problems.
because success is your motto nothing keeps you down
You have a strong drive to be successful in all aspects of life.
Passing peeps in town, yo by leaps and bounds
You are succeeding so much that you are leaving others behind.
People clapping when you talk because of deep renown
People admire and respect you, and often applaud when you speak.
You drive Hummers and top model jeeps around
You have expensive cars that are the envy of many people.
You know its bad and haram to be a miser and boast
You are aware that it is not good to be too greedy or boastful.
But your healthier and wealthier and wiser than most
You are healthier, wealthier, and more knowledgeable than most people.
You gotta an adviser to those, who try to propose
You are an advisor to others who are trying to achieve success like yours.
Cause there's so many potentials that they line up in rows
There are many people who aspire to be like you.
You got it all, the power the money the wealth
You have everything that people typically associate with success.
Your thinking God's gotta love you more than anyone else
You believe that you are more loved by God than others because of the success you have achieved.
But wait Whoa wait a second, this isn't what your thinking
You pause and question the ideas you have been entertaining.
You gotta stop and think why you getting all the blessings
You realize that it is important to contemplate why you have been so fortunate.
Don't want to let it shake ya, or let the devil make ya
You do not want to let these thoughts shake you or be influenced by negative forces.
Forget to praise Allah and then fail the test your taken
You do not want to forget to thank Allah for your blessings, otherwise you may fail the test you are being given.
No doubt you're gonna try your best
You will do your best to handle these challenges.
Gotta be thankful and pray no less
You must remain grateful and continue to pray.
Already gotta head up above the rest
You already have a head start on others.
Cause you realize this is just a test
You realize that all of these successes and challenges are just part of a larger test from Allah.
So face it, in life, you'll be tested at times
You must accept that life will include periods of testing and challenge.
The devil, he's bright, don't let him mess with your mind
You must be vigilant against the devil, who is always trying to mislead you.
Yo, we're blessed, the Divine, which is the best for mankind
We are all blessed by Allah, who is the best for humanity.
So He (God) gives us exams so don't get stressed out and whine
Allah gives us tests to help us grow, so we should not stress or complain.
Even the best of all humanity was tested Himself
Even the Prophet (PBUH) was tested by Allah.
Allah can test us with calamity or test us with wealth
Allah tests us in different ways, whether through hardship or success.
Can you hold back from profanity and focus yourself
You must try to control your speech and thoughts, especially during challenging times.
Or maybe keep away from vanity and function in stealth
You must also avoid becoming vain or overly proud of your successes.
It's tough, trust me I know that it's rough
This is not easy, and you understand how difficult it can be.
But after pain comes ease and you'll be blessed from above
However, you know that the pain and hardship will eventually pass, and that you will be blessed by Allah.
I hope when the time for my test comes along I will cope and I'll find I'll be blessed when I'm strong
You hope that when you are tested again, you will be able to handle it and be rewarded for your strength.
So my people, when life is a mess
You address your audience.
You gotta focus and realize, this could be your test.
They must stay focused and remember that their current difficulties are part of their test from Allah.
Contributed by Maria L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.