Track number 6 off the album, and what a track!
Islamic music is certainly moving forward. Artists and labels such as Harris J, Maher Zain and Awakening Records have all played a major role in the change.
This track is up-beat, positive and well-produced.
Harris is extremely popular amongst the younger generation in the UK and abroad. He has a huge fan base in countries like Indonesia and has performed around the globe.
The track features Safe Adam (previously Saif Adam), a well-known British nasheed artist of Iraqi decent. Safe was previously writing songs for mainstream singer Ed Sheeran, but decided to focus on faith inspired music after returning from Hajj. He features as a rapper in this track, which helps appeal to Harris’ young fan base.
Worth It is all about staying positive and keeping faith – one day it will pay off
It’s not easy to stay positive at all times. How can we achieve this?
In my review of Good Day by Maher Zain, I went into detail about an example of patience given to us in the Quran – Surah Yusuf.
Surah Yusuf
Yusuf (PBUH) faced many hardships during the first half of his life, after which things significantly improved. Below you will find a summary of the plot.
1. Yusuf’s dream (vv. 4-6) – Neutral
2. The brothers’ plot against Joseph and throw him down a well (vv. 7-22) – Negative
3. Potiphar’s wife’s attempt to seduce Joseph (vv. 23-29) – Negative
4 . A similar attempt by Egyptian ladies (vv. 30-34) – Negative
5. Yusuf’s imprisonment (vv. 35-42) – Negative
6. The king has a dream (vv. 43-44) – Neutral
7. The king’s dream interpreted by Yusuf (vv. 45-49) – Neutral
8. Yusuf’s release from prison (v. 50) – Positive
9. Confession of the Egyptian ladies (v. 51a) – Positive
10. Confession of Potiphar’s wife, clearing his name (vv. 51b-57) – Positive
11. Yusuf given power and reunited with his brothers, who learn their lesson (vv. 58-99) – Positive
12. Fulfilment of his dream: Father, mother & brothers bow down (vv. 100-101) – Positive
From this we learn that patience pays. Harris’ track certainly has strong meaning.
But is it really worth it?
We all know the reward is Jannah (Paradise). Let’s take a look at some it’s features.
Features of Jannah
- A place of gardens:
“These are the limits [set by] Allah , and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment” (Quran 4:13)
- A place with many rivers and fruit:
“A similitude of the Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised: Therein are rivers of water unpolluted, and rivers of milk whereof the flavour changeth not, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of clear-run honey; therein for them is every kind of fruit, with pardon from their Lord…” (Quran 47:15)
- A place allowing things which are forbidden on earth – such as wine, gold (for men) and silk (for men):
“As for such, theirs will be Gardens of Eden, wherein rivers flow beneath them; therein they will be given armlets of gold and will wear green robes of finest silk and gold embroidery, reclining upon thrones therein. Blest the reward, and fair the resting place!” (Quran 18:31)
“…and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers…” (Quran 47:15)
- A place where we can have anything we desire:
“… there will be there all that the souls could desire, all that the eyes could delight in …” (Quran 43:71)
From the above I think it’s safe to say that it is most certainly worth it!
Music Video
Please support Harris and Safe by purchasing this track. I’ve found Amazon to be the best way as you can purchase individual MP3s for download to your PC, and also listen to them via the Amazon App (similar to Spotify).
Let’s look at the song verse by verse, picking out key points with reference to Quran and Hadith.
Harris J – Worth It (ft. Safe Adam) Lyrics
It’s way too late, but I’m still wide-awake
‘Cause I can’t sleep yet, I can’t sleep yet
Got a thousand words
That won’t stop running circles
Around in my head, around in my head
Sometimes I feel just like these days and nights will never end
But will I ever get this chance again? – 1
CHORUS
So I pray, yes I pray – 2
‘Cause I know the life I want
When it’s hard I keep working – 3
I‘ll never give this up
Because I know it’s worth it in the end
I know it’s worth, worth, worth
Worth it in the, in the end
Yeah I know sometimes I should relax my mind
And take it easy, take it easy
If I fight my way through every single page
Then I’m a winner, I’m not a quitter, no!
Sometimes I feel just like these days and nights will never end
But will I ever get this chance again?
CHORUS
It’s way too late, but I’m still wide-awake
‘Cause I can’t sleep yet, I can’t sleep yet
My father said to me
Plant one seed and you can grow a tree – 4
That tree will grow in your field of dreams
If you just believe then one day you’ll see, yeah!
When I’m on the case I know it’s worth it
I’m on the path now I’m running like a circuit
Got my dreams in sight and I’m ready for the fight
Now it’s time to put all of the work in, yeah!
One chance, one shot, no I won’t give up – 5
All my faith in God that will keep me strong
As I’m sitting here thinking about this world that we’re living in
Some wasting all their time – 6
When others aim for the sky
I sacrifice some time for my success
I know it’s worth it in the end
CHORUS
I know it’s worth it in the end
Links to Quran / Hadith
Links to the Quran and hadith have been numbered above (in purple) and presented below.
1 But will I ever get this chance again?
We only get one chance at life. people will be wishing for a second:
“And those who followed will say: “If only we had one more chance to return (to the worldly life), we would disown (declare ourselves as innocent from) them as they have disowned (declared themselves as innocent from) us.” Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire” (Quran 2:167)
2 So I pray, yes I pray
Praying is one of the core pillars of Islam. We are told to pray in a number of verses:
“Verily I am God; there is no god but I; therefore serve Me, and perform the prayer of My remembrance” (Quran 20:14)
3 When it’s hard I keep working
We shouldn’t be disheartened if we are finding it hard to stay on the right path. We are told it will be difficult except for those who are humbly submissive:
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]” (Quran 2:45)
4 Plant one seed and you can grow a tree
Safe is speaking about small ideas/deed turning big. This line of the song reminded me of Allah’s comments on the water cycle, and how the trees and plants bring benefits.
“We sent down a measured amount of water from heaven and lodged it firmly in the earth; and We are well able to remove it. By means of it We produce gardens of dates and grapes for you, in which there are many fruits for you and from which you eat. And a tree springing forth from Mount Sinai yielding oil and a seasoning to those who eat” (Qur’an, 23:18-20)
5 One chance, one shot, no I won’t give up
Another reference to the one chance we have in life. See point one
6 Some wasting all their time
Most people would agree that wasting time is not good. Islam teaches that we shouldn’t waste time on things that will divert our attention from Allah. One example is the verse related to Idle talk, which was revealed back in the days when people used to purchase singing slave girls – who sang on topics that were not Islamic or meaningful.
“But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path): for such there will be a Humiliating Penalty“ (Quran 31:6)
Many people argue that the majority of mainstream music falls under this category and should therefore be avoided. Why not switch to meaningful songs/nasheeds – it’s worth it!
Final Thoughts
I love this track.
Not only is it well-produced with good meaning, but it features my favourite artist Safe Adam.
There are many nasheeds out there with deep meaning. I try to show the link between the lyrics and Quran in all my reviews.
Finally please buy the song – It’s worth it!
Lyrics: 10/10
Vocals: 10/10
Production: 10/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
References & Reflection: 9/10
(2 votes>
