Lebanese pop star breaks retirement with naat for Holy Prophet (PBUH)

Lebanese pop star Amal Hijazi has come out of retirement with a naat paying tribute to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Earlier this year, Hijazi, one of Arab world's biggest singing stars of the last decade, had decided to retire from singing and begin life as a devout Muslim.

Many of her fans were left in shock when she announced in September she was retiring from popular music.

"God has finally answered my prayers," she had written on her Facebook account.

"I have struggled for years with the art I loved and the closeness to the religion I have cherished. I've lived this internal struggle and finally, God has answered my prayers."

She had added that she had finally "found happiness".

Her latest release, a naat marking the birthday of Holy Prophet (PBUH), has been viewed nearly eight million times and shared more than 250,000 times.

Hijazi had released her first album in 2001 and became a breakthrough artist after the release of her second record, Zaman, next year. Zaman is also one of the top-selling Arabic pop records of all time.

Many Pakistani singers and celebrities have also left their careers for religion. In 2002, the late Junaid Jamshed, associated with Vital Signs, had announced he was going to quit singing to become a preacher. Junaid continued with his missionary work till he died in a plane crash on December 7, 2016.

Another pop star Ali Haider, famously known for songs such as Chand Sa Mukhra and Purani Jeans, also announced to quit singing and become a devout Muslim after serious illness of his son. Haider is partially associated with the showbiz and now sings Sufi Kalams.

Najam Sheraz is another pop singer who promised to devote his life to peace and brotherhood. His rendition of Na Tera Khuda Koi Aur Hai is said to be a major turning point in his life.