This previously unpublished interview with Junaid Jamshed dates back 12 years

The interview, in which he discusses Pakistan's elite and music, took place when he began his spiritual journey

The following is an unpublished interview with Junaid Jamshed who tragically died this year in a plane crash. The interview dates from exactly 12 years ago in 2004 when he was commencing his personal spiritual journey.

Aisha Imam: You are at the height of your music career and you realise you’re a Muslim. How did that come about?

Junaid Jamshed: It’s been a roller-coaster ride; it’s not been easy. I commanded a lot of respect, love and affection from all parts of society and I believed this fame and glamour was given for a reason as I had always maintained that I was an average singer and others were better than me. So, I used to feel that there is a catch to all of this.

After a period of time, when I saw Muslims all over the world suffering in one form or another, it started to play on my mind. I started sitting with religious scholars who were ever so engrossed in how the Ummah could come out of this decline. The very thought that they were thinking about me, my family and the entire Ummah was very noble. Here, I was living in a very selfish world; all we did was think about ourselves and not care about anyone else. All that affected me.



AI: In 2001, you were still confused about music in Islam; Yusuf Islam is still researching that. Then in 2002, you gave up music. How and why?

JJ: Music was in my blood. When I got married, I told my wife, “I love you a lot but never, never try and come between me and my music!” Fortunately, she never did; so we’re still married!

Every human has a navigator that tells you what is right or wrong; if you don’t listen to this navigator, after a while, its stops saying anything. Someone asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), “What is right and what is wrong?” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Your heart will tell you what is right and wrong”. So, something inside me used to tell me that what I am doing is not right.

There was confusion. One day, I would go to a concert and say this is right; singing songs is the best way of healing a wounded heart. Then, I would come back and realise that the music I was doing was admonished not just by the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions but by the major scholars and sheikhs.

A time came when I read Surah al-Buruj in the Holy Qur’an - the story about the Boy and the Ditch which says that if a large group of people can be bettered by the sacrifice of a single individual, that individual should go through that sacrifice. Something told me, “Just stop it, Junaid”. Maybe by doing that, some of the boys and girls will realise that this is the path they should be treading on if they are your true fans. They will try and find out why Junaid Jamshed did this. Maybe, one day, you might have a great leader of Islam from your fans.

AI: As the lead singer of Vital Signs, you created fusion music which has led to Junoon, Najam Sheraz and Hadiqa Kiani emerging on the global music stage. What is your perception of the global phenomenon of Pakistani music which you helped create?

JJ: I am happy to see that - in a way. You have so much raw talent which has come out of Pakistan, without the backing of any institution. Right now, this pop music represents the music of Pakistan. ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ is the music of Pakistan. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to see that.



When I talk about the role music has to play in Islam, I never condemn anyone. I left it for a higher calling, for myself. People may not see it like that.

AI: There is a perception among expats that the secularised elite in Pakistan is still aping the West, particularly in its popular culture. Are you trying to guide Pakistanis back to an indigenous Islamic culture?

JJ: We don’t talk about it, but it’s there; Pakistan has a very strong Islamic base. The elitist society is not the true representatives of who we actually are, or what we believe. There are other people who strictly follow the Islamic principles and would like to live their lives according to the will of Allah; they are the ones whom I represent. I am an outcast, as far as the elite is concerned. At one point in time, I was their golden-eyed boy. This very rebellion on my part is not seen with a lot of happiness or highly appreciated.

AI: Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf said that he believed hijab was not a symbol of Islamic modernity. What do you say?

JJ: What I think is this is President Musharraf’s opinion; it’s his point of view. You can’t stop him from having that point of view. Sometimes, one person can have two points of view and no two individuals think alike. It is not necessary that one has to agree with it. However, one has to make the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) their guideline and you have to look for him for guidance; nobody else. There is a Muslim by birth and there is a Muslim by choice – the practising Muslim. The more you get yourself closer to the Prophet (pbuh) and his wives, the closer you get in the sight of Allah.

But, we must respect everybody else’s point of view. One thing I would like to say to all the Muslims: be like silk; be as smooth as silk and as nice, but also as strong.

AI: Expats travelling to Pakistan have not seen Islam practised much in the country. Do you agree with this assessment?

JJ: I feel people who visit, they go to the urban cities and see that lifestyle and make up their minds. They generalise but this is not what Pakistan is. It is not just Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. You won’t find Muslims missing a namaz in North West Frontier Province and Balochistan. Don’t generalise about Pakistan; see the rest of the country.

I have seen so many countries in the world, particularly Muslim countries and I strongly feel that Pakistan has one of the strongest Islamic values. Myself as an individual, I am very proud of being a Muslim Pakistani. I don’t staunchly practise my religion but I am trying.

I would advise: keep on trying and asking from Allah to show you the right path. Worldly gains are not your goals; they are for those who don’t believe in the Almighty and in His promises. Allah stops you from earning money whichever way you want to; [you have to see] what is halal and what is haram. You and I can’t say, “Just do it” like Nike; we have to apply those brakes.

AI: How have your family and friends reacted to this change?

JJ: With a pinch of salt.

AI: Will you be returning to singing nasheeds?

JJ: Honestly, I have left the studio, and now will go back; refreshed to start using the voice again, start to compose again. I am unable to sing at the moment; I sang at one concert, and my voice is gone. For almost two years, I have not sung. I will go back to the studio, and start singing first, get the feeling back. There was a time that I never used to believe that this would happen, but I strongly believe that Allah destines our fates.



There is no strictness in Islam; just restrictions. Islam merely restricts to a certain type of life, which will become a source of happiness to other human beings, with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a model for it. Now, it is up to the individual; how closely we want to follow each and every aspect of his (pbuh) life.

It is difficult to follow; yes, because of the turning tides.

Aisha Imam is the director of Alif Laila Media and head of talent and media for Ziyara GPS mobile application. She can be contacted at [e-mail]