Waqas: It Is Written (Ft. Safe Adam) Download (UK |US)
Outlandish may no longer be together, but Waqas is still producing great music!
It Is Written is track number 3 from the album One Foot In The Sink The Other On A Banana Peel.
Interesting album title… what does it mean?
In an interview with the BBC, Waqas mentioned that the foot in the sink represents spirituality (i.e. performing Wudu) while the foot on the banana peel represents the world we live in – where things are not always clear and rather confusing (or slippery).
It Is Written features Safe Adam, a well-known British Nasheed artist of Iraqi descent. Safe was previously part of the mainstream, writing music for artists such as Ed Sheeran and N-Dubz. This experience has certainly helped him to bring a mainstream flavour to the track, and a memorable hook too.
What’s the song about?
The track is about keeping faith when you’re feeling down. Many people go through depressive episodes in their lives and this track helps them to keep their head high, reminding that everything is pre-planned by Allah i.e. It’s written.
Link to Quran
Did you know the prophet Muhammed (pbuh) also went through a similar experience?
There was a period where revelation stopped being sent down to the prophet, which resulted in him feeling down – he felt Allah had abandoned him. Allah then however revealed Surah Ad-Duha saying:
“…Your Lord has not taken leave of you, [O Muhammad], nor has He detested [you]…” (Quran 93:3)
A full description of this story can be found in my review of By My Side by Maher Zain.
This teaches us that we should have trust in Allah regardless of our situation. The track by Waqas shares the same message, portrayed through deep lyrics.
Line-by-line commentary on the lyrics can be found below, with references to Quran and Hadith.
Video
The official lyrics video from Waqas’ YouTube channel. I strongly suggest supporting Waqas by buying the track from Amazon:
It is Written MP3 – UK
It Is Written MP3 – USA
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We will now go through the lyrics, calling out any references to Quran and Hadith.
Waqas – It Is Written Lyrics
It is written
So don’t you let it bring you down – 1
Trying to fit in
be yourself
I am here to make amends – 2
And not stage a defence
It makes sense now
To tell you where i’ve been
I went into a state of depression only to came back again
I had to to hit rock bottom
My great depression
Flat on my back is where I learned my greatest lessons
This looks like a pretty good place to be asking of a miracle from you
Looking at the sky blue
I felt a spiritual high with you
And then I testified by you
Wishing I could press pause
Rewind stop then record
New day no flaws
CHORUS:
It is written
So don’t you let it bring you down
Trying to fit in
be yourself
Allah is watching over you
He will always be there for you – 3
It is written
So don’t you let it bring you down
And when you feeling down
And no blessings are coming around
And your not healing
So you feel like leaving town
But its all around you
God works in mysterious ways – 4
I learned the hard way
Sometimes you got to take a seat and
Sometimes you got to take a beating – 5
Allow him to unfold what he’s got in store for you
You don’t get it now but it is good for you
Like what like black seed oil will do for you – 6
Remedy for the body and the soul to grow stronger and go higher
CHORUS
Don’t let it bring you down to your knees
And if it does bounce back up on your feet
I told you it is written, but that don’t mean we give in – 7
To get it right, we got to get it wrong sometimes
CHORUS
Bring you down
Say “La-Ilaha-Il-Allah” – 8
No No No No No never let it bring you down
Links to Quran / Hadith
Links to the Quran and hadith have been numbered (in purple) and presented below.
1 It is written. So don’t you let it bring you down
These are great lyrics to start the track, as they summarise the message of the entire song. The same message was mentioned by Allah in Surah Al-Hadid where he explains that everything is pre-determined, and how we should not get upset over this:
“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfooz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not grieve at the things that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters” (Quran 57:22-23)
2 I know You’re always by my side
We are encouraged to make amends as Muslims:
“Save such as repent, and make amends, and hold fast to God, and make their religion sincerely God’s; those are with the believers, and God will certainly give the believers a mighty wage” (Quran 4:146)
3 Allah is watching over you. He will always be there for you
It’s true. Allah sees everything we do, and is there for us as stated in Quran and Hadith:
“Surely, those who distort our revelations are not hidden from us. Is one who gets thrown into Hell better, or one who comes secure on the Day of Resurrection? Do whatever you wish; He is Seer of everything you do“ (Quran 41:40)
“Allah (swt) says: “Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, I will run towards you.”” (Hadith Qudsi)
4 God works in mysterious ways
While this phrase is not mentioned in the Quran, there is reference to the planning of God. We are taught Allah has plans and his plans are the best:
“And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” (Quran 8:30)
5 Sometimes you got to take a beating
There are many things that can bring us down, but this shouldn’t cause us to give up hope. In fact believers are guaranteed to be tested by Allah, as mentioned in a couple verses:
“Do the people think that they will be left alone on saying “We believe,” and that they will not be tested?” (Quran 29:2)
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” (Quran 2:155)
6 Like what like black seed oil will do for you
I love this part. Black seed oil contains great healing, as mentioned by the prophet Muhammed (pbuh):
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say concerning the black seed: “In it there is healing for every disease, except as-saam.” Ibn Shihaab said: As-saam is death. (Bukhari 5688, Muslim 2215)
7 I told you it is written, but that don’t mean we give in
Dr Zakir Naik gives a great explanation of pre-destiny in this video
8 Say “La-Ilaha-Il-Allah”
I love a track that ends with the Shahada (Islamic testimony of faith).
“Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and (so do) the angels and those possessed of knowledge, maintaining His creation with justice; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise” (Quran 3:18)
Muslims often say ‘and Muhammed is his messenger’ after this. These two parts are actually never mentioned besides each other in the Quran – they are however referred to in Hadith.
Final Thoughts
Great track! – I like the hook, meaning and variation in vocals.
Outlandish has always been about deep meaningful lyrics, and it’s great to see Waqas continue the trend despite the group being split. Featuring my favourite Nasheed artist Safe Adam is a huge bonus in my personal view. I hope they do more music together.
I can’t wait to hear more from Waqas in the future, and will be reviewing other tracks from One Foot In The Sink The Other On A Banana Peel fairly soon – keep an eye out in the review section.
Please find my rating below. Feel free to leave your own using the star system and comments section.
Lyrics: 10/10
Vocals: 9/10
Production: 9/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
References & Reflection: 10/10
IMH Rating: 47/50
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