Junaid Jamshed was a famous Pakistani singer and musician who was part of the band The Vital Signs. After 13 years with the band, he pursued a solo career in music. However, he eventually left the music industry after encountering a friend who introduced him to Islamic preaching work. Through this work and various spiritual experiences, he came to view the music industry as disobedient to God and corrupting. He faced pressure from the media when quitting but persisted. Though financially struggling at times, he rejected large sums to return to music. He then used his platform to spread Islamic messages through recitations and lectures.

1. Life of Junaid JamshedLife of Junaid Jamshed
Drift from musicDrift from music

3. Early 1990Early 1990
 The Vital Signs worked together for 13 years and remainThe Vital Signs worked together for 13 years and remain
good friends even today.good friends even today.
 ““But no doubt, there is a lot of glamour in this field,”But no doubt, there is a lot of glamour in this field,”
Junaid Jamshed pointed out, “but it [glamour] is anJunaid Jamshed pointed out, “but it [glamour] is an
unnatural life; it is a life of disobedience to Allah (swt), sounnatural life; it is a life of disobedience to Allah (swt), so
there can be no Barakat in it. How can there be any? If Ithere can be no Barakat in it. How can there be any? If I
live in your house and disregard your every word, will Ilive in your house and disregard your every word, will I
ever be at peace there? There will always be someever be at peace there? There will always be some
problems to face. Similarly, no one can live peacefully inproblems to face. Similarly, no one can live peacefully in
this world, while disobeying Allah.”this world, while disobeying Allah.”
 The Vital Signs eventually disbanded, because some ofThe Vital Signs eventually disbanded, because some of
its members felt they had lost the appetite for the work. Asits members felt they had lost the appetite for the work. As
most Pakistani music fans know, Junaid continuedmost Pakistani music fans know, Junaid continued
making music as a soloist.making music as a soloist.
 But then, much to the media’s surprise, he began toBut then, much to the media’s surprise, he began to
change and announced that he would stop making musicchange and announced that he would stop making music
altogether. The media world was in an uproar. Whataltogether. The media world was in an uproar. What
brought about this sudden decision?brought about this sudden decision?

4. Cause of changeCause of change
 Junaid explains that he met an old school friend JunaidJunaid explains that he met an old school friend Junaid
Ghani. This Junaid did not chide nor question his musicGhani. This Junaid did not chide nor question his music
making; rather, he silently made his presence felt inmaking; rather, he silently made his presence felt in
Junaid Jamshed’s life. All he asked from Junaid JamshedJunaid Jamshed’s life. All he asked from Junaid Jamshed
was to participate in some Dawah work for the Pakistaniwas to participate in some Dawah work for the Pakistani
Dawah group the Tableeghi Jamaat, in order to introduceDawah group the Tableeghi Jamaat, in order to introduce
people to Allah (swt) and His Prophet (sa). As thispeople to Allah (swt) and His Prophet (sa). As this
seemed simple enough, Junaid Jamshed began to enjoyseemed simple enough, Junaid Jamshed began to enjoy
doing it. However, while going door to door with Dawah,doing it. However, while going door to door with Dawah,
he also found many people unwilling to give him the timehe also found many people unwilling to give him the time
of day. Used to catching the media’s attention easily, thisof day. Used to catching the media’s attention easily, this
disregard of his presence deeply wounded him. “Thendisregard of his presence deeply wounded him. “Then
there was [also] Allah’s help, which is necessary,” Mr.there was [also] Allah’s help, which is necessary,” Mr.
Jamshed observed, “if you don’t lead your life accordingJamshed observed, “if you don’t lead your life according
to the Deen, then no matter what plan for success youto the Deen, then no matter what plan for success you
may have, you are ultimately going towards disaster andmay have, you are ultimately going towards disaster and
will face the effects of that disaster in this world and in thewill face the effects of that disaster in this world and in the
Hereafter.”Hereafter.”

5. Complete changeComplete change
 His Dawah work and several strange incidentsHis Dawah work and several strange incidents
continued to shake Junaid, giving him the strengthcontinued to shake Junaid, giving him the strength
he needed to turn away from music making. Once,he needed to turn away from music making. Once,
for example, he was approached by a smart youngfor example, he was approached by a smart young
man desiring to learn music. Junaid tried toman desiring to learn music. Junaid tried to
dissuade him, when much to his astonishment thedissuade him, when much to his astonishment the
young man told him that he was a Hafiz of theyoung man told him that he was a Hafiz of the
Quran and had shaved his beard to be more likeQuran and had shaved his beard to be more like
Junaid. Stunned, he realized that his music makingJunaid. Stunned, he realized that his music making
was corrupting the Ummah itself.was corrupting the Ummah itself.
 Furthermore, he observes that the media makes aFurthermore, he observes that the media makes a
person seem like a public commodity. The gossipperson seem like a public commodity. The gossip
and fan following had disastrous effects on hisand fan following had disastrous effects on his
family life. Junaid found his family drifting away fromfamily life. Junaid found his family drifting away from
him, and he was constantly stressed by this.him, and he was constantly stressed by this.

6. Pressure from mediaPressure from media
 When Junaid Jamshed finallyWhen Junaid Jamshed finally
announced his departure fromannounced his departure from
music, the media’s reaction wasmusic, the media’s reaction was
severe. Although initially he gave upsevere. Although initially he gave up
in front of the immense pressurein front of the immense pressure
from the media and sponsors, laterfrom the media and sponsors, later
he did manage to stand his ground.he did manage to stand his ground.
 Shaitan made him worry about whatShaitan made him worry about what
to do next.to do next.

7. HardshipsHardships
 Once the star had decided to quitOnce the star had decided to quit
showbiz, he went bankrupt and, atshowbiz, he went bankrupt and, at
one stage, did not even have moneyone stage, did not even have money
to pay the children’s school fee andto pay the children’s school fee and
also to buy medicines for his mother.also to buy medicines for his mother.
 Still he resisted the temptation toStill he resisted the temptation to
even claw back for the while,even claw back for the while,
rejecting one astounding offerrejecting one astounding offer
(Rs.40mn) for just a commercial!(Rs.40mn) for just a commercial!

8. Work with mediaWork with media
 Surprisingly, he was still working with the media. How didSurprisingly, he was still working with the media. How did
this come about? At the suggestion of Mufti Taqi Usmanithis come about? At the suggestion of Mufti Taqi Usmani
and the support of Maulana Tariq Jameel, Junaidand the support of Maulana Tariq Jameel, Junaid
Jamshed released two albums of Nasheeds (musiclessJamshed released two albums of Nasheeds (musicless
recitations for praising Allah (swt) and His Messengerrecitations for praising Allah (swt) and His Messenger
(s.a.w) as an alternative to musical (Haraam) songs. He(s.a.w) as an alternative to musical (Haraam) songs. He
also was giving Dars on television and was using thealso was giving Dars on television and was using the
media towards making people aware of the Islamicmedia towards making people aware of the Islamic
banking as an alternative to the conventional (Ribabanking as an alternative to the conventional (Riba
based) banking.based) banking.
 The media attention now aided Junaid in Dawah andThe media attention now aided Junaid in Dawah and
working towards gaining Allah’s (swt) pleasure. His familyworking towards gaining Allah’s (swt) pleasure. His family
clearly saw and appreciated his efforts for the Deen.clearly saw and appreciated his efforts for the Deen.
Though the people using the media for spreading goodThough the people using the media for spreading good
are assisting each other, Junaid Jamshed cautions: “Oneare assisting each other, Junaid Jamshed cautions: “One
should not set out in the way of doing good on ones own;should not set out in the way of doing good on ones own;
rather, he should ask for elders’ [wise people] advice andrather, he should ask for elders’ [wise people] advice and
then do it. Otherwise, the efforts to spread good wouldthen do it. Otherwise, the efforts to spread good would
spread Fitnah instead.”spread Fitnah instead.”

9. Reciting naatsReciting naats
 It began in early 2004, whenIt began in early 2004, when
Junaid Jamshed left both hisJunaid Jamshed left both his
engineering career and musicengineering career and music
career to focus on his religiouscareer to focus on his religious
activities for Islam, and recitedactivities for Islam, and recited
naats, nasheeds on Television.naats, nasheeds on Television.
 Later on, he began releasingLater on, he began releasing
them on CD’s, and peoplethem on CD’s, and people
flocked to stores to buy themflocked to stores to buy them

10. His naat’s albumsHis naat’s albums
 Some of his albumsSome of his albums
are Mehboob eare Mehboob e
Yazdaan, MeethaYazdaan, Meetha
Meetha Pyara MerayMeetha Pyara Meray
Muhammad Ka Naam,Muhammad Ka Naam,
Bade uz Zamani etc.Bade uz Zamani etc.
 He also recited pushtoHe also recited pushto
naats such as rashanaats such as rasha
makwa la chasa jaffa.makwa la chasa jaffa.
 Some of his famousSome of his famous
naats are Madinanaats are Madina
Madina, Main tuMadina, Main tu
Ummati hun a shah eUmmati hun a shah e
ummam, Jalwa e jana,ummam, Jalwa e jana,
Yeh Makkah ke fizainYeh Makkah ke fizain
aur main hun.aur main hun.

11. Struggle in going backStruggle in going back
to engineeringto engineering
 After the 9/11 attacks in USA, Jamshed’sAfter the 9/11 attacks in USA, Jamshed’s
tours in the West struggled with alot oftours in the West struggled with alot of
questions about Pakistan’s culture,questions about Pakistan’s culture,
terrorism & music. Jamshed filed forterrorism & music. Jamshed filed for
bankruptcy in court after coming back frombankruptcy in court after coming back from
this tour and applied at various companiesthis tour and applied at various companies
for a career in engineering, but to no avail.for a career in engineering, but to no avail.
It was frequently reported that JunaidIt was frequently reported that Junaid
Jamshed has left music and is seenJamshed has left music and is seen
praying five times a day at a local mosque.praying five times a day at a local mosque.

12. FFashion-desighningashion-desighning
companycompany After being out of practice fromAfter being out of practice from
engineering in about 20 years,engineering in about 20 years,
Jamshed announced that he wouldJamshed announced that he would
be opening a fashion company withbe opening a fashion company with
a close friend of his. He officiallya close friend of his. He officially
renounced music in 2004, when herenounced music in 2004, when he
said that he had devoted his life tosaid that he had devoted his life to
the cause of Islam.the cause of Islam.
 Jamshed then left engineering and toJamshed then left engineering and to
supplement his income, opened ‘J.’,supplement his income, opened ‘J.’,
selling clothes and itar; for kids, menselling clothes and itar; for kids, men
& women.& women.

13. His own brand J.His own brand J.
 Junaid Jamshed, as aJunaid Jamshed, as a
popular icon inpopular icon in
Pakistan, took hisPakistan, took his
career further andcareer further and
formed his own brandformed his own brand
once he left theonce he left the
entertainment industry.entertainment industry.
He went from clothingHe went from clothing
and perfumes to foodand perfumes to food
later on.later on.
 J. (pronounced as JJ. (pronounced as J
Dot), became anDot), became an
instant favoriteinstant favorite
amongst JJ lovers.amongst JJ lovers.
J. foodsJ. foods

14. His achievementsHis achievements
 Junaid Jamshed (mayJunaid Jamshed (may
Allah grant him Heavens)Allah grant him Heavens)
has been listed by ‘Thehas been listed by ‘The
Muslim 500’ as one of theMuslim 500’ as one of the
‘World’s Most Influential‘World’s Most Influential
Muslims’, for hisMuslims’, for his
involvement in charityinvolvement in charity
work, especially with thework, especially with the
NGO ‘Muslim Charity’NGO ‘Muslim Charity’
from 2003, until his deathfrom 2003, until his death
in 2016.in 2016.
 The Muslim CharityThe Muslim Charity
achieved a great dealachieved a great deal
under his leadershipunder his leadership
and expanded it’sand expanded it’s
operations to 16operations to 16
countries, it was stated.countries, it was stated.
Junaid at children’s hospital, in talks with patientsJunaid at children’s hospital, in talks with patients
(picture above)(picture above)

15. His ill-fatedflightHis ill-fatedflight
 As Jamshed took on the role of aAs Jamshed took on the role of a
missionary in earnest, criss-crosingmissionary in earnest, criss-crosing
the country and the world-his lastthe country and the world-his last
was on the day he took the ill-fatedwas on the day he took the ill-fated
flight-he become a regular TVflight-he become a regular TV
evangelist, and it was during one ofevangelist, and it was during one of
those shows where his controversialthose shows where his controversial
remarks about Hazart Ayesha(RA)remarks about Hazart Ayesha(RA)
led to framing of a blasphemy case.led to framing of a blasphemy case.

16. His apologyHis apology
 Following an outrage ,he issuedFollowing an outrage ,he issued
a tearful video apology, but wenta tearful video apology, but went
into exile to let the dust settle.into exile to let the dust settle.
 He eventually returned, but wasHe eventually returned, but was
roughed up at an airport;roughed up at an airport;
however he forgave thehowever he forgave the
attackers after a police caseattackers after a police case
was registered against them.was registered against them.

17. CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
 Junaid Jamshed aptly concluded hisJunaid Jamshed aptly concluded his
narration by quoting from Surah Ar-Rad:narration by quoting from Surah Ar-Rad:
“Allah will not change the (good) condition“Allah will not change the (good) condition
of a people as long as they do not changeof a people as long as they do not change
their state (of goodness) themselves (bytheir state (of goodness) themselves (by
committing sins and by being ungratefulcommitting sins and by being ungrateful
and disobedient to Allah).” (Ar-Rad 13:11)and disobedient to Allah).” (Ar-Rad 13:11)
 Fear of loss obstructs the desire to turnFear of loss obstructs the desire to turn
away from sin. Junaid Jamshed observesaway from sin. Junaid Jamshed observes
that Allah (swt) will test one’s firmness ofthat Allah (swt) will test one’s firmness of
faith but then: “When Allah decides tofaith but then: “When Allah decides to
make someone His friend, He makes thatmake someone His friend, He makes that
person beloved and respected by theperson beloved and respected by the
peoplepeople

19. ReferencesReferences
 Hibamagzine.comHibamagzine.com
 En.dailypakistan.comEn.dailypakistan.com
 www.Awaztoday.pkwww.Awaztoday.pk
 www.livement.comwww.livement.com