The Message behind Ummah Films

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

From the time of Adam until the Day of Judgment, it has been a constant battle between man and shaitan. All we see, hear, touch, and taste is Dunnah so it is very easy for him to occupy us with this life and to forget about what is more important: The Hereafter. There will come a time when human beings will be judged for their actions. Those who did good deeds for Allah (swt) will be rewarded by Him InshAllah and those who did evil will be punished by Him.

With a pen in your hand and a camera nearby, you can write and make a movie about anything you want. The idea is to write stories and make movies that impact those who are watching them. Often times, all we need is a reminder to put us back on track and if there is a movie that has a message, which reminds us to do good deeds, be a better person, or to help others then that is a movie that has value to me. If a movie just looks cool and stops at that, then what have I really gained from it?

I want Ummah Films to break the Muslim "chessy" movie making stigma. We have a beautiful religion and it seems like the only way we make "comedy" in our films is by making fun of our Islamic practices (which is sad). You can be funny without mocking yourself. If you want to make a comedy, how about mocking the ignorance that you use to follow (before Islam)? Do you remember the story of the Companion of the Prophet (saw) that looked at a date and laughed? I can’t recall who it was (maybe Omar) but he said he laughed because before Islam, he used to worship idols and one time he was worshiping a date and then when he became hungry, he ate it. So he laughed. You can even make documentaries that are funny. How about a film about Muslim Marriages and the struggles young Muslims go through (that's can be funny). Maybe follow a brother around who wants to get married and watch him go through the different stages.

I think we live in a time that we do things without thinking. We just see other people doing it, so we do it. Soon we have a bunch of imitators that have no identity. Look at MTV for example. MTV defines what is "cool". Cool meaning "acceptable". Thus, if you listen to x & y band, then "that's cool". If you wear last season’s pants, which are “so 2004” (a.k.a. out of style then "that's not cool". Being spiritual is "cool"...being religious is "not cool". You get the point. Parents are so worried about losing their children to different schools of thought in Islam while they are not aware they have lost their children long ago to the society that has cultured their children. The media and films have such an impact on the youth of today that it impacts the language we use, the way we talk/walk/eat, what we buy, wear, and most importantly our culture. While many of the youth mock the older generation for practicing their old school culture which conflicts with Islam, they forget to look in the mirror where they will see a person who also practices a culture which conflicts with Islam as well (I’m only referring to the culture that conflicts with the practices of the Prophet (saw) not all culture).

Today, we see brothers wearing gold earrings....sisters dressing half naked....children disobeying their parents...parents dealing with riba….and at the end of the day it seems like everyone from the Masjid board members to mom & dad to brothers and sisters from neighboring countries are fighting each other. Worst of all, people have become reactionary to their situation and base their actions on emotions rather than what Islam says. This is why it has been such a tough time defending Islam as being a peaceful religion (because people who don’t know any better think that violence is the way to spread this religion). The Prophet (saw) didn't preach violence but today you have Muslims doing so. The Prophet (saw) didn't imitate the ignorant but today you will see people doing so. Then again, if we followed the practices of the Prophet (saw), we wouldn’t’ be in the situation we are today.

I think a lot of people get caught up with life and forget about what is really important. They, like me, need reminders to keep them in line...to keep their intentions straight. My goal for Ummah Films is to make films that will remind them…films that will get the gears moving…films that will remind me....films that will make people think…InshAllah.