It is a year since Sidi Moaz Nass, son of our beloved Shaykh, Shaykh Samir al Nass, and munshid of the masses and our dear brother, passed away. Days before the anniversary of his passing, in an equally sudden and tragic way, we learnt the loss of sidi Omar Barzak, founder and manager of the band Asala Dabke, who recently became known for his exemplary charity work, happy personality and Quran and nasheed recitation.
For me, their losses seem closer than others we hear of. I saw them as long distant colleagues, brothers in the field of reviving the sacred sounds amongst muslims in the west. They were devoted to their crafts and ensuring that people were touched by the praises of the Prophet, the recitation of Quran, the pulsating sound of the Drums. But to whom can I explain the personal sense of loss I feel? They were neither my blood relatives, nor did I ever meet either of them. Yet, I felt a closeness to them through our mutual love of sacred sound and service of the ummah in this way.
To call Sidi Moaz Nass and Sidi Omar Barzak nightingales of our generation would be an understatement:
They were pillars of melody and joy in their American Muslim communities and through the benefit of social media, to muslims around the world. Their sudden passings are a profound loss not only for their immediate families but also for all those who had the privilege to know them, and even those who had only known them through social media or heard of their influence.
These two young men were renowned for their devotion and service, expressing their faith through the beautiful art of drumming and nasheeds. Can reciting sacred words and singing devotional poetry hold such significance? Indeed, Allah Blessed them with the ability to penetrate hearts with their voices. Their talent was not just a form of entertainment; it was a bridge, connecting hearts and uplifting spirits, making the essence of spiritual devotion palpable and visceral at community gatherings, weddings, and religious events.
And indeed, their contribution went beyond mere performance. They were educators and role models, especially for young Muslim men who saw in them a harmonious blend of devotion and modernity. They showed that one could adhere firmly to their faith while also embracing and contributing to the broader culture. In this way, their mannerisms and good character meant they were more than mere singers, but upright men of goodness, subhannallah.
Sidi Omar Barzak
Sidi Mouaz Nass
The Impact of Their Loss:
I want to reflect deeper on the loss of these two special souls. Their being so integral in their families and communities, yet taken at such a young age, is not for nothing. It is indeed for us to reflect, on life and loss.
And as i reflect on the lessons of their passing to the next abode, I think about the impact of the loss:
- A Void in the Community: The passing of these two young men leaves a void that will be deeply felt within the drumming and nasheed community. Their ability to engage and inspire through rhythm and voice created a unique space for spiritual and cultural expression that transcended age, ethnicity, and background.
- A Break in Transmission: In traditional and faith-based arts, the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next is critical. The loss of these individuals means a disruption in this transmission, a gap that will need filling by others who hopefully carry forward their legacy.
- Grief Across the Ummah: Their influence reached beyond their local communities to touch a diverse group of people across the nation and beyond. The global Muslim community, the Ummah, feels this loss deeply. Just a few days before passing, sidi Omar was in fact travelling for charity work bringing relief to war torn and famine struck countries.
For those who want to reflect further I whole heartedly encourage you to watch the youtube videos filmed during their respective janazahs. Both janazahs and the reminders and dedications given at them, are testament to the lives they lived, may Allah Accept it of them.
Reflection on Moving Forward:
As we reflect on their lives and legacies, it becomes imperative to consider how best to honor their memory.
Supporting their families and continuing their work are immediate steps we can take. Beyond that, nurturing similar talents in the community and providing platforms for young artists to express their devotion through arts is essential.
These are men who knew that one day they would pass away. We are now left on earth – are we as aware of the reality?
In celebrating their lives, we must also introspect on our own contributions and how we might use our abilities to serve our communities. Let their lives be a reminder of the impact one individual can have and inspire us to strive for a profound and positive influence within our spheres.
As we pray for their souls and for comfort to their families, I pray we are able to carry forward the torch of faith, creativity, and community service that they carried so brilliantly during their all-too-brief time with us. In their memory, I pray we can continue to weave the melody and joy they championed into the fabric of the lives around them.
I pray that Allah Accepts their every effort, each strike of the drum with the intention to make beautiful and powerful the dhikr and salawat, may it all speak for them. May Allah Fragrance their resting places. May Allah Grant them shade on the day of reckoning. May their communities and the birds and trees bear withness for them. May He allow their noble intentions to flourish them into high ranks. And ultimately, may Allah Grant them the company of His Beloved, the one for whom they sang, Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wa salam, in gardens of everlasting bliss. Ameen ya rab al alameen.
Al Fatiha.