• Will Smith shares the profound life lessons he has learnt from reading the Qur’an.
• He praised the Qur’an after reading it in its entirety during the month of Ramadan last year, seeking solace and spiritual connection.
In a revelation that has sparked intrigue, Hollywood superstar Will Smith disclosed that he embarked upon a profound journey, reading the entire Qur’an “cover to cover” during Ramadan last year.
The 56-year-old actor, renowned for his stellar performances in films such as ‘I Am Legend’ and ‘The Pursuit of Happiness,’ shared this enlightening experience during an insightful interview on the Big Time podcast. The interview, conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was hosted by Egyptian journalist Amr Adeeb. Despite taking place in December 2023, the interview has recently captivated audiences worldwide as it circulates online.
When Adeeb asked Smith share some of his reflections of the Qur’an, here’s what he had to say:
“I was surprised how it is like one story, from the Torah through the Bible and into the Quran. I never totally understood Abraham as the father and then the split with Isaac and Ishmael and it was beautiful to get the completion of that comprehension.”
It’s commendable that Smith has recognised this, considering the contrast with the outrageous remarks often made by certain Christian evangelicals who dismissively assert that the Qur’an plagiarises the Bible.
The Bible (the Injeel) was revealed to Jesus. It was from God in its original form. However, with the advent of the subsequent Prophet, it underwent abrogation, alongside the Torah. For instance, the Bible depicts David facing accusations of adultery. Furthermore, Jesus is portrayed as cursed in Galatians 3:13, and Satan is described as the god of the world in 2 Corinthians 4:4. In contrast, the Quran presents Satan as cursed and Jesus as revered:
“[And mention] when the angels said, ‘O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ].'”
Qur’an 3:45
“The spirit of it was so beautiful and clear”
“I loved the simplicity. The Quran is crystal clear. It’s hard to walk away with a misunderstanding.”
he said.
“I was shocked how much Moses was mentioned….Musa. In the Quran, I related to Moses and the experience of Moses”.
Will Smith isn’t wrong, in fact Musa (AS) is mentioned 136 times in the Qur’an. Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that if Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) had been the author of the Qur’an, as some critics may assert, one might expect a more frequent mention of himself and his family within its verses. However, his name is only referenced five times throughout the entire Qur’an.
One of the prominent stories in the Qur’an which Smith must’ve resonated with, is the story of Musa’s quest to gain knowledge from Khidr, a figure with great wisdom. Throughout their journey, Musa witnesses seemingly puzzling actions by Khidr and learns valuable lessons about humility, trust in God’s wisdom, and the limitations of human understanding.
Will Smith takes Parenting Advice from the Qur’an and extracts lessons on the accountability of ones soul…
When questioned about parenting and raising his children, Smith expressed being influenced by the ethos in the Quran, which emphasises that each soul is responsible for its own development (of course, Smith is referring to adults here). This notion resonated deeply with him, leading him to adopt the perspective that while he is there to support his children, ultimately, they are accountable for their own souls. He found solace in the understanding that he is not solely responsible for their souls but rather serves as a guiding partner in their journey.
The Numerical Miracles of the Qur’an
Qur’an Challenge
In Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 23, Allah challenges humanity to produce something comparable to His revelation if they have any doubts.
“And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a surah like it and call upon your witnesses other than Allah, if you should be truthful.”
The Qur’an is timeless. However, concurrent to its message lay the condemnation of the immoral, unjust, and evil practices prevalent among the 7th-century Meccan tribes. These included the mistreatment of women, unfair trade practices, polytheism, slavery, accumulation of wealth, infanticide, and neglect of orphans. The Qur’anic message posed a direct challenge to the leadership of Mecca, potentially undermining their authority and economic prosperity. To halt the spread of Islam, all the Prophet’s adversaries needed to do was meet the linguistic and literary challenge presented by the Qur’an.
However, the success of Islam during its formative and vulnerable period in Mecca attests to the inability of its primary audience to rise to the Qur’anic challenge.
David Margoliouth, a former Professor of Arabic at the University of Oxford, elaborates on the influence of the Qur’an:
“The Koran [sic] admittedly occupies an important position among the great religious books of the world. Though the youngest of the epoch-making works belonging to this class of literature, it yields to hardly any in the wonderful effect which it has produced on large masses of men. It has created an all but new phase of human thought and a fresh type of character. It first transformed a number of heterogeneous desert tribes of the Arabian peninsula into a nation of heroes, and then proceeded to create the vast politico-religious organizations of the Muhammadan world which are one of the great forces with which Europe and the East have to reckon today.”
Linguistic Miracles of the Qur’an
Even the enemies of Prophet Mohammed (saw) acknowledged that this revelation could not have originated from him. They speculated that it must be of supernatural origin, akin to magic.
The briefest chapter of the Quran, Al-Kawthar, exhibits an exceptional abundance of linguistic devices and literary elements, while encapsulating maximum meaning within its distinctive framework.
Classical commentator Ibn Kathir, quoting Ibn ‘Abbas, elucidates that Al-Kawthar signifies an abundance of goodness, encompassing the river in paradise.
Hardships Carve out Remarkable individuals
Smith unveiled his introspective journey intertwined with spirituality. He disclosed that he had navigated through challenging times over the past two years, which compelled him to embark on a quest for self-discovery. “This is the spiritual-seeking phase of my life. This is the period of my life that I am trying to cultivate as wide, open and loving a heart as I will be able to.” Smith said.
Following the infamous incident at the Oscars two years ago, Smith witnessed a significant decline in his social media following, and many in Hollywood expressed reluctance to collaborate with him.
Islam does not subscribe to cancel culture. The Quran was revealed for all of humanity, transcending specific tribes or individuals.
Before Khalid ibn al-Walid embraced Islam, he was fought against Muslims in various battles, including the Battle of Uhud, where he played a significant role in inflicting losses upon the Muslims. Khalid was known for his exceptional military skills and bravery, and he initially used these talents in opposition to Islam. However, after witnessing the strength and conviction of the Muslim community, he eventually embraced Islam and became one of its most celebrated military leaders and was given the title by Allah, “Sword of Allah”. His military prowess and dedication to Islam have made him a revered figure in Islamic history.
“In West Philadelphia, born and raised, on the playground…”
Will Smith, like his character in the Fresh Prince of Belair, is actually from West Philadelphia’s Wynnefield.
Philadelphia-dubbed the Mecca of the West, has a thriving black American Muslim community who by and large, have divorced themselves from the Nation of Islam. Smith is knowledgeable about the transformation of Black America from the Nation of Islam to orthodox Islam due to him embarking on the task of portraying the iconic figure Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali’s impact on Will Smith
Following his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the 2001 film “Ali,” Smith shared his reflections on the iconic figure:
“I learnt a lot about him from the foundations of Islam to strength of his Muslim faith.”
“Legacy extends far beyond our professional accomplishments or its accolades.”
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Despite Smith’s deep appreciation for the Qur’an, he said, “It’s not religion for me as much as it is centring on really love and kindness is the only way to be here joyfully”.
While love and peace are admirable principles, they are abstract in nature. Human beings require tangible guidelines for practical application and social cohesion.
Love and its expression can vary greatly from person to person, leading to subjectivity. For example, while some individuals may perceive physically disciplining their 4 year old child with a belt as an acceptable form of love, others will disagree.
Smith’s closing remarks on the matter, provide us with a profound reminder, Allah alone is the turner of hearts. He alone can bring people to Islam when and if He wills. We pray Will Smith comes to the truth and joins our rapidly growing Muslim family. Nevertheless, Smith’s encounter with the Qur’an serves as a poignant reminder for Muslims around the world, of the profound impact of the Qur’an- how blessed we are to have Allah’s guiding manual and love letter to the whole of humanity.
This Ramadan, I pray we all form transformative and meaningful relationships with the word of God…Ameen
