For over 40 years, Hassan lived the life of a musician, performing for presidents and dignitaries from Yugoslavia to America. But after decades of nightclubs, alcohol, and the entertainment industry, he found his way back to the faith he was born into — Islam. His son Eddie, the host of The Deen Show, sat front row to witness this transformation. This is the story of how a former musician left the microphone behind and picked up the Quran.
From Communist Yugoslavia to the American Dream
Born in 1949 in a small Bosnian town of 7,000 people, Hassan grew up in a large family of eleven children under the communist regime of Marshal Tito. While culturally Muslim, the communist system suppressed religious practice, and Hassan drifted into the world of music early in life. His talent took him to stages across the world, performing for presidents, generals, and church officials. He eventually settled in America, where the music lifestyle continued for decades — until the truth finally caught up with him.
“If you give me the whole world, O Allah, do not let me go back to the microphone. After 40 years in the music industry, I realized that the real song worth singing is the remembrance of Allah.” — Hassan, father of Eddie from The Deen Show
The Journey Back to Islam
- For years, Hassan was a “part-time Muslim” — attending cultural events but not practicing the faith. The turning point came when he confronted his own mortality and realized he needed to get serious about his relationship with Allah
- Even after deciding to leave music, Shaytan (Satan) kept pulling him back — one night at a nightclub, his son Eddie confronted him and asked him to reflect on whether angels walk into such places
- That honest conversation from his own child was the wake-up call he needed. He stopped going to nightclubs entirely and has not returned since
- His transformation proves that it is never too late to turn back to Allah — old age is not a barrier to sincere repentance and spiritual renewal
“Eddie said to me: ‘Do you think angels are walking in that nightclub? You go there and you think you are calling God to help you in that place?’ I stopped the van. I said: ‘Thank you. O Allah, forgive me.’ And since then, alhamdulillah, I have never gone back.”
Hassan’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how far you have strayed, the door of repentance is always open. Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, a lifelong sinner or a cultural Muslim who never truly practiced, Allah is waiting for you to turn back to Him. Leave behind whatever does not bring you closer to your Creator, and discover the peace that only comes from submitting to the One who made you.
