Why Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Fashion Show’s Song is Offensive to Muslims

Rihanna’s new 2020 Savage X Fenty Fashion show is certainly making headlines recently. While the show is being applauded for its diversity and a strong sense of woman empowerment. There is one major thing that is leading to some serious backlash. It has actually nothing to do with the models or the lingerie, but the song selection for the show. And this song in the Savage X Fenty show includes a Muslim Hadith.

Why Muslims were offended at the song in the show that included a Hadith

Social commentator, Def Noodles, compiled a list of tweets from Muslims that were sharing how they were offended by Rihanna’s new Savage X Fenty show.

The Savage X Fenty show included a song ‘Doom’ by Coucou Chloe. Which includes a Hadith.

Hadith are sacred in Islam since Muslims believe they are the spoken word of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In Islam, you cannot use these Holy sayings or any Holy verses in musical tracks. They are made for the sole purpose of teaching Islamic lessons. Using it any other way, or even altering it in any way, is a huge sin in Islam. Hence, using this song in the show is highly disrespectful for the religion of Islam and Muslims everywhere.

The Muslims want an apology from Rihanna

Many Muslims were pointing out that it was a very offensive gesture by Rihanna to use a hijab (a Muslim attire) in the first part of the show. And then using the song including the hadith:

i can’t let Rihanna have a pass w appropriating Islam like for her first show. the models wore a scarf around their heads and it looked like HIJAB and her second show she used a track that remixed a HADITH….why is no one talking about this, my religion is not y’all’s aesthetic.

 

The user further highlighted the fact that it’s okay to be fascinated by religion but using bits and pieces as you see fit is disrespectful. Hence, remixing songs using Islamic sayings like Hadith is a blatant disregard for Muslim beliefs and values.

Some Muslims were asking for the rest of the music artists to be aware of the implications of them using religion as they see fit:

all singers/rappers must be educated on this. it’s disrespectful to Muslims & let alone Islam. if you want to listen to Quran verses. go listen to the Quran. no need to collide verses with Songs. it’s not okay at all. & we should be respected.

Some were sharing that Rihanna probably didn’t know that it wasn’t all right for her to use the song. One Muslim user on Instagram was sharing that we should focus more on educating Rihanna instead of canceling her outright:

It’s most likely she may not have even known. I’m a Muslim myself and I’d rather give her the benefit of the doubt. Instead of scrutinizing and cancelling her, we should educate her about how that particular song choice makes Muslims uncomfortable. It’s Rihanna, who is also a black woman/POC who would def take accountability if she was told she made a mistake. You have to take into account the entire production of the fashion show too, not solely her. Let’s not jump to conclusions.

Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his sayings are sacred for Muslims

However, some Muslims were explaining why exactly they are hurt by Rihanna’s actions. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is someone Muslims hold very dear in their heart. One user shared:

These are instances of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) leading by example on how to be a better human. He is highly regarded in Islam and to disrespect his sayings is to disrespect Islam as a whole.

Should Rihanna apologize for using the song?

My religion shouldn’t really add or negate my credibility as a journalist. But, it’s actually relevant to include in this piece. I’m a Muslim myself and as a champion of woman empowerment, I was a fan of the Fenty X Savage show. But then I came across the news that Rihanna used a song that included a hadith. And I was also hurt with this, just like many other Muslims.

No one knows if she did it intentionally, or even if she personally chose the song. An entire team was in charge of creating the whole show and this decision may have been overlooked. But, I personally feel, along with countless other Muslims, that Rihanna should make a statement about this. An apology is something that would help a lot of Muslims feel as if their religion isn’t just to be used as props for a show or its sacred teachings to be used as remixes for songs about Doomsday.

Islamophobia has been rising increasingly as the world gets more and more divided. But it is at this time that we need to come together more than ever. Rihanna herself is all about diversity and being accepting of everyone:

I imagine everyone that I know and love being a part of it. I want to make stuff that I can see on the people that I know and they come in all different shapes, sizes, races, and religions.

If it was indeed about all different ‘shapes, sizes, races, and religions’, Rihanna definitely needs to address it.

I personally think she didn’t have any evil intentions to harm Islam. She probably just wasn’t aware of it and its implications. Hopefully, she will address it soon.