taken from: http://www.insight-info.com/Default.aspx
Translated by Abu Abdullah al-Nakhli
Masha Alalykina is a famous name in Russia and Russian speaking countries. Two years ago she was an attractive artist and model. Her fame reached its peak and her music group – Fabric – was at the top of the charts.
Masha, the former star of the cinema, dancing, and music (google her are you will see how popular she was), now wears a hijab and is teaching. She says that she hates the fake façade of her past and now feels that she is successful.
The following is a translation of an interview with this Muslim artist on the Russian site islam.ru
Islam.ru: How did you put all of your success behind you and accept Islam?
Masha: By Allah’s grace I took a step in his direction. This was the will of Allah.
Islam.ru: When you were a singer did you ever think that you would become Muslim, fast, and perform the pilgrimage?
Masha: No. It did not even cross my mind that I might perform the pilgrimage and drink the best water – the water of Zamzam.
Islam.ru: Was the path that you took which led you to Islam a long path?
Masha: I became Muslim two years ago. I was reading one day when I realized that one of my close friends slipped into a coma in another city. I did not know how I could help my friend. That day, for the first time, I prayed and made supplications asking God for help.
The next day that same friend called me and said: “I saw you when I was unconscious and you helped me a lot.” I cried a lot at that instant because it was the first time in my life that I wanted something from God.
Islam.ru: What are you up to now?
Masha: I know five European languages and teach in the university. I also write some Islamically allowed songs.
Islam.ru: Do you listen to music as well?
Masha: Yes, I listen to Rayhan, Sami Yusuf, and Cat Stevens (who changed his name to Yusuf Islam after he became Muslim).
Islam.ru: Have you learned things from the Quran? Are you prepared to add Arabic to the five European languages that you know?
Masha: At first I thought it was hard to learn Arabic. But I have started and love it a lot. I think it is a key to learning more knowledge.
Islam.ru: Why are people more interested in Islam than other religions? And, why were most of the people who become Muslim involved with concerts and music?
Masha: Islam has the strongest foundation in relation to other religions. All Islamic rules can be applied to life and the path of Islam is the path of success.
Islam.ru: What feeling do you have now that you have become a Muslim?
Masha: I feel blessed. I now have the opportunity to compare what I was before and what I am now. I now have become familiar with real life and therefore I am successful.
Islam ru: How are you different than before?
Masha: A belief in Allah has changed my life. The desire to believe in Allah is in everyone’s conscience. I do not believe that Allah gave man intellect so that we live, eat, sleep, and die. Allah gave us an opportunity to live in a way that we would reach Him.
Islam.ru: Do you ever think about how much money you made before? Are you ever regretful?
Masha: Those sparkles have become worthless to me after I became Muslim. I hate them.
Islam.ru: Are you not afraid to openly show yourself as a Muslim?
Masha: No. Actually it’s the opposite, I feel that I have a duty to save others from misguidance and to become a role-model for them.
Islam.ru: Are you upset that your previous pictures are on the internet?
Masha: I do not like to look at the pictures myself. But, there is no problem for people to see them and learn from them. They should know that a person can be born again and start over from scratch. A person can repent and clean away all of the filth of their past by performing righteous deeds, insha’Allah.
Islam.ru: What can you say about Islam to other people?
Masha: Islam says that if you are unable to think about Allah at least try to rid yourselves of bad qualities - bad qualities such as self-love, arrogance, envy, oppression, lying, praising oneself, and worshiping oneself. If one wants to take a step towards Islam all they have to do is think and seek help from their conscience.
Islam.ru: What message do you have for Muslims?
Masha: I hope that the righteous deeds of my brothers and sisters will be accepted by Allah and I pray that He has mercy on their families.
Islam.ru: And for non-Muslims?
Masha: I am hopeful for people who have yet to become Muslims to come to themselves and to think beyond all the trash that is presented to them in this age.
taken from: http://www.insight-info.com/Default.aspx
