Humood (حمود الخضر): Be Curious (كن فضولياً) Download
‘Be Curious’ reached over 700,000 YouTube views within 4 days of going live. That’s huge!
Humood has seen success like this before. His previous track Kun Anta was the most popular track by Awakening Records after Ya Nabi Salam Alayka by Maher Zain.
The song is in Arabic but contains a two-word English hook: ‘Be Curious’.
What is this song about?
This track emphasis the importance of seeking knowledge, the starting point of which is… being curious.
There are several verses in the Quran and Hadith strongly emphasising the importance of seeking knowledge.
The benefits of seeking knowledge are vast, and entire nations can do wonderful things by increasing their knowledge. Many Muslim nations used their knowledge to invent and these inventions are used by the modern world today. You’ll be surprised to learn about them.
Muslim Inventions
Here are some examples of inventions by Muslims:
- Algebra
- Clocks
- Coffee
- Camera
- Cleanliness
- Flying Machine
- Maps
- Music
1. Algebra – Muslims Invented Mobile Phones
Algebra is the basis for programming, which powers the modern technology we use today (including your phone!).
Al-Khwarizmi wrote a book titled “Kitab al-Jabr Wa l-Mugabala”, which introduces the beginnings of Algebra.
2. Clocks – The Elephant Clock
Our world takes the telling of time for granted, but who invented clocks?
Sun dials were the first clocks, but these only worked during the day. Al-Jazari took the first steps to introducing a continuous automated solution.
He was a pious man and understood the importance of needing to know the time in order to prepare for religious acts, such as salah. This resulted in the invention of the Elephant clock.
The Elephant clock was a large statue of an elephant, inside which was a bucket. The bucket was filled with water and contained a small hole. Water would slowly trickle out of the bucket until it reached a point where it was too light against the counter weight, causing it to drop on the hour, every hour. This resulted in a ‘dong’ sound.
3. Coffee – Discovered By A Muslim & His Sheep
A man named Khalid was grazing his goats one day, and noticed they became very lively after eating a particular berry.
The berries were boiled and called “al-qahwa”, now known as coffee.
4. Camera – The Room With The Hole
Ibn al-Haitham developed a theory of light that was against the popular belief at the time. The theory was that light bounces off an object and enters the eye.
He proved his theory by creating a dark room with a pinhole, which projected objects from outside onto a white sheet. He called it the “qamara”.
5. Cleanliness – Not As Common Back Then
The idea of keeping clean is something we all learned at a young age. As a result, it’s hard to think of it as an invention and we usually dismiss the idea as common sense.
However when Islam was being introduced into the world, keeping clean was not a common practise. This was a time of Vikings, who were known for their lack of hygiene.
The Muslims would purify themselves through wudu and created soap (by mixing oil and salt), as they understood the importance of keeping clean for Salah and entering Masajid.
6. Flying Machine
Planes help us get from one place to the other, and may even help Humood travel around the world to perform his new track! But did you know a Muslim invented the first form of flying machine?
Abbas ibn Firnas designed a suit which resembled a bird outfit. He made an attempt to fly, travelled upwards for a few seconds but then crash landed and broke his back.
His attempt may not have been successful, however the design of this machine has influenced later attempts to create a successful machine.
7. Maps – It Wasn’t Google
The early Muslims were eager to travel, for both trade and religious reasons. One of the 5 pillars of Islam is Hajj and therefore it was vital for them to navigate to the Kaba. They started recording their routes and transmitting the knowledge through word of mouth. The invention of the paper was a huge step in map building, and the first maps were produced in Baghdad in the 8th century.
8. Music – And Thus The Islamic Music Hub
This one might be surprising.
Music is a debated area amongst Muslims as some hold a firm belief that Musical instruments are haram, while others disagree. Many take a middle path by allowing the duff.
In any case, the 9th century Muslims invented the idea of musical notes. Take a look at this scale comparison:
Western: doh, ray, me, far, so, la, tee
Arabic: Dal, Ra, Mim, Fa, Sad, Lam, Sin
In addition to this, the Muslims created a number of musical instruments. Nasheeed Artist Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens has picked up the guitar again after finding out that it’s roots may lay with the Muslims.
Full article on Music in Islam: Is Muslim Halal or Haram?
Be Curious Music Video
Awakening Records clearly put a lot of hard work into their videos, and this one is no exception. The video is well-produced, colourful and directly relates to the song.
It starts with Humood opening a door with excitement yet caution. He then enters different rooms, each containing a theme. There are four rooms in total:
- Room of Books
- Science Room
- Food Room
- Kids Room.
1. Room of Books
First Humood walks through a room full of books. Learning through books is of great importance, and helps increase knowledge.
The Islamic Music Hub was set up to strengthen the bridge between Islamic music and Quran/hadith. Therefore all points made about religion on this site have a reference to back them up, and nothing is said without citation from a book.
2. The Science Room
Glasses are often associated with increased intelligence, and Awakening make use of this in both the video and cover art.
Humood is presented with glasses, and wears them while leaning about the wonders of the universe.
Learning about science and space can help increase our understanding of Quranic verses related to the topic. For example, the Quran teaches that the universe is expanding. Did you know this fact has been confirmed by modern science today?
“And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.” (Quran 51: 47)
Before this scientific fact was known, some translators would translate the word ‘Expanding’ as ‘made it vast’ (or ‘expanded’) as that made more sense to their understanding of the world. However the term (Mousi’oona) refers to the process of expanding, which makes more sense in light of new knowledge.
3. The Food Room
We all love food. In this room Humood learns how to make a healthy looking meal.
It’s important to eat healthy not just for the many benefits to our body, but also because Allah teaches us to eat well.
“Eat of the good things which We have provided for you.” (Quran 2:172)
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Quran 2:168)
One might ask what defines ‘good’. This information can be obtained by seeking knowledge. We can also gather a deeper understanding by looking at the life of the prophet.
Watch this video – it gives a great explanation of how the prophet lived, and the kind of food he would eat.
4. The Kids Room
The message of this song is excellent for young children. It’s through curiosity that they interact with their surroundings and are able to learn, and make sense of what is around them.
In the background we see an abacus, an old instrument used for counting before the invention of the calculator. This was used in the west before adoption of the Arabic numeral system. It was the Arab Muslims who invented algebra and took the world of mathematics to a new level as previously discussed.
Take a look at the video for Be Curious below:
Try Amazon Music and listen to ‘Be Curious‘ on your mobile today.
Now onto the lyrics.
Be Curious Lyrics
Lyrics to ‘Be Curious’ by Humood below. The translation and Arabic text have been included.
Be Curious, and ask a lot of questions – 1
Be Curious, and give free reign to your imagination
كن فضولياً .. وأكثر السؤال
كن فضولياً .. وأطلق الخيال
Ask and you will open new doors
Ask and you will find the answers
You will learn the secrets of the universe – 2
اسأل تفتح أبوابا
اسأل وستجد جوابا
أسرار الكون ستعرفها
Discuss and find out the reasons
You will discover many strange and wondrous things
You can set yourself free by acquiring knowledge
ناقش واعرف أسبابا
تلقى عجباً وعجابا
نفسك بالعلمِ تُحرّرها
Why, How and What?
Explain this and that to me
Say it to people, and repeat it often
لماذا وكيف وماذا
اشرح لي ذاك وهذا
قُلها للناس وكررها
Be Curious, and ask a lot of questions
Be Curious, and give free reign to your imagination
كن فضولياً .. وأكثر السؤال
كن فضولياً .. وأطلق الخيال
A Generation that seeks, explains and asks questions
Is a happier and more wonderful generation
That understands the world and builds it
جيلٌ يستفسر يسأل
هو جيلّ أسعدُ أجمل
يفهم دنياه يعمّرها
Observe, search and ponder
Question, listen and look closely
Take things apart, and put them back together
لاحظ وابحث وتفكر
وتساءل واسمع وانظر
فكّك أشياء وركبها
Why, How and What?
Explain this and that to me
Say it to people, and repeat it often
لماذا وكيف وماذا؟
اشرح لي ذاك وهذا
قلها للناس وكررهـا
Be Curious, and ask a lot of questions
Be Curious, and give free reign to your imagination
كن فضولياً .. وأكثر السؤال
كن فضولياً .. وأطلق الخيال
Lyrics Analysis
Links to the Quran and hadith have been numbered (in purple) and presented below.
1 Seek knowledge though questions and research
Be Curious, and ask a lot of questions
The song starts by emphasising the importance of knowledge seeking. Here are some interesting facts about seeking knowledge in Islam:
- Seeking Knowledge is a requirement
- You should pray for knowledge
- We can travel for knowledge
- Hiding knowledge is bad
- Spreading knowledge is good
Seeking Knowledge is a Requirement
The prophet Muhammed said the following in a hadith:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
This ruling applies to all Muslims regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.
Knowledge topics could include: Knowledge about Allah, Knowledge on how to pray, Knowledge on the world and how to purify the heart.
We Should Pray For Knowledge
The Quran provides a supplication on knowledge seeking:
“O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge“ (Quran 20:114)
We Can Travel To Seek Knowledge
We all love to travel for fun. Knowledge of different cultures and ways of life are usually the by-product of travelling. The Quran encourages us to travel for the purpose of seeking knowledge too.
“Do they then not travel through the Earth, so that their minds gain wisdom and their ears thus learn to hear” (Quran 22:46)
Knowledge vacation anyone?
We Should Not Hide Knowledge
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet SAW said: There is no man who memorizes knowledge then conceals it, but he will be brought forth on the day of Resurrection bridled with chains of fire,” (Sunan Ibn e Majah)
It seems knowledge does not mix with hide and seek. So why not spread it?
We Should Spread Knowledge
The Quran actually teaches that spreading knowledge is a requirement for being successful on that day. knowledge about the truth in particular.
“By time, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience” (Quran, 103-1:3)
Another Hadith places emphasis on knowledge sharing:
Muhammad bin Jubair bin Mut’im narrated that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah stood up at Khaif in Mina and said: ‘May Allah cause his face to shine, the man who hears what I say and conveys it. (Sunan Ibn e Majah)
2 The universe is explained in the Quran
You will learn the secrets of the universe
Modern science has developed over the years, allowing us to learn more about the amazing universe we live in.
Allah calls out many facts about the universe before we came to know them. Here are a few examples:
Moon has reflected light
“Blessed is He who has placed in the sky great stars and placed therein a [burning] lamp and luminous moon.” (Qur’an 25:61)
The Arabic word for sun is ‘Shams’ meaning tourch or lamp. i.e the source of light.
The Arabic word used for moonlight is ‘Muneer’ or ‘Noor’ which means body of light, or reflected light.
The moon actually reflects sunlight, and therefore it is accurate for Allah to use this terminology.
The big bang theory
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We separated them, and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Quran 21:30)
Science teaches that the universe was once joined at a single point, and then expanded. The Quran confirms this 1400 years ago. It also provides the source of life in the same verse as water.
Iron from space
“We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” (Quran 57:25)
Modern science has found that Iron is not native to Earth, but came down in the form of meteoroids. The fact that the Quran mentions that Iron was ‘Sent down’ is highly accurate.
Final Thoughts
In summary, there are clearly many benefits of seeking knowledge. Knowledge helps to invent, reflect and learn.
By producing a song that encourages knowledge seeking, Humood may have given a motivational boost to the Arab Muslim world, preparing the younger generation to invent once again.
I’d love to see more songs like this in the future, and looking forward to seeing if it breaks a record.
Lyrics: 10/10
Vocals: 10/10
Production: 10/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
References & Reflection: 9/10
