Assalamu Alaikum! I've worked for the past 30 years as cartoonist for all of the magazines and newspapers in the U.S. I just recently reverted to Islam, and in that process have had to do a great deal of hard thinking and praying about where to go with my work; should I retire; should I seek another line of work, etc. It has been quite a struggle, but I'm beginning to find peace with my decision to stay in my career. I'm also quite comfortable knowing that Allah knows what is in my heart while I'm working.
I think one of the key things to keep in mind as a Muslim employed in the arts is that we are first and foremost, despite even our greatest efforts, just artists, not gods. Allah has provided us with tools to bring shape to thoughts and ideas we have, but we must remember that true creativity is solely the domain of Allah. In that sense, to say that we, as artists, create, is essentially the wrong use of the word. Only Allah can create. What we do as artists is gather and assemble that which has already been created. The very first man to write the word "Allah" on paper did not create his pen, nor his ink, nor his paper. He merely gathered the elements and compounds created by Allah, and made them useful for his purpose.
You as a filmmaker, and me as a cartoonist create nothing. At our best, all we can do is express our ideas by gathering and assembling Allah's creations to represent what is on our minds. As long as the artist perceives himself as merely an assembler and not a creator, then the artist remains on the path of Islam.
Remember that our talents, drives, and ideas are all gifts and blessings from Allah. In his love and mercifulness, he has trusted us with the capacity to enrich our own lives as well as the lives of others. I'm sure you're aware that any artistic medium can be used as a weapon to harm, just as much as it can be a means of self-expression, communication or education. Allah has given us the materials to assmeble knives, and we either use those knives for cooking, carving, or killing. How we choose to use the knife determines our salvation. How we choose to use our art also determines our salvation.
As a filmmaker, you have been given a tremendous gift to open windows of inspiration, experience, and learning to millions of people. Filmmaking is the "knife" you've been given, and how you use it, with Allah knowing full well what your true intentions are, will determine your salvation. Will your knife prepare nourishment for the table of humanity, or will it draw blood and cause pain? Allah has given you a sacred trust with a very powerful tool as an expression of his love for you. As you know, there are may art forms being used today to draw blood, bring tears, and fuel anger and hatred, when instead, they could be used to educate, inspire, and enrich our lives.
The first time I read the Quran, about 3 years ago, my knees shook so bad I had to sit down before I fell down. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and I realized then and there I would have to make some serious changes in my work. I'm still a cartoonist, but I now work with a greater acknowledgment of the precious gift and the loving trust I have been given. I strive to harm no one, to respect the creations of Allah and the faith of Islam. Hopefully the smiles I strive to bring through my work ease the pains and sorrows of others...and the "knife" I have been trusted with draws no blood.
May be Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you.
bro sacrificing for allaahs sake is what islaams all about!!!
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i suppose i will have to give that up though since it is against islam and allahs wishes for me.