Yusuf Islam: Talk on Muslims in the World today, Music, & a Performance
Published by Haseeb October 22nd, 2005 in Entertainment, Islam, Music, Videos“Some give Islam a bad name and we cannot just tolerate that. We should come forward to correct that image. We should convince others that Islam is not that monastic concept,” (Yusuf Islam)
Yusuf Islam, (formerly known as Cat Stevens) recently gave a talk titled The Muslim Citizen in a Global Village in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Issues discussed include the fact how the world had become really a small global village where violence is escalating and the risk of everybody getting hurt is alarmingly increasing by the day. He also spoke about the so-called conflict of civilisations between the West and Islam, saying that the idea of a geographical split does not really exit. He said this situation was created by some people who wanted to market some ideas, in what he described as a ‘political game’. To resolve this situation, he said, we need intellectuals, politicians and leaders to analyse the situation and come up with a solution.
“Islam is today seen as something strange and disturbing and people are running away from it. We have to deal with that face to face. If we accept that Islam is always disturbing and strange … so we are lost,”
Furthermore, given all the talk about Sami Yusuf’s recent release (read my last entry), and how he released two albums, a full musical version, and a version with only percussion instruments, many have started to discuss the issue of music and its
permissability in Islam. Yes I understand the point of view held by many scholars prohibiting all non-percussion instruments, and I respect that, yet I personally share the view of Yusuf Islam as eloquently expressed in his essay, Music: A Question of Faith or Da’wah? (pdf file)
The issue of music within Islam is an ongoing debate amongst Muslim scholars; some argue that it is totally Haram (prohibited) and others argue that its allowance depends on the song’s conformity to Islamic values and norms. Whilst I agree that some songs and musical influences are haram, this judgement does not apply to every singer or every single note and crotchet played. We must distinguish: for example, what is the message in the words of the song? What is the moral context and environment where the songs are being played? What is the time it is happening? Who is delivering the song? How is it delivered? And importantly, what is the intention? Some scholars say that as long as it conforms to moral norms and doesn’t divert a person from his or her duties in worshipping AllahMost High, then it has its place in the culture of Islam….
Different opinions about music indicate that it is not to be taken as a question of faith (‘Aqidah), but is simply a matter of understanding ( fiqh). And after having studied this subject for more than twenty five years, I can say that it is certainly not as black and white as some have tried to make us believe. I used to be doubtful about the issue but now realise that many of the Hadith used to support its banning are either weak, unclear, or they do not balance with other specific Hadith showing its allowability. The actual word ‘music’ was never recorded in the original sayings of the Prophet and can not be found in the preserved ‘Arabic language of the Qur’an - and Allah
And finally, for your pleasure, here is a recent performance (video) by Yusuf Islam from earlier this summer, coincidentally also in Abu Dhabi, of two songs in praise of the prophet’s 
birthday including a new rendition of Tala’a al-Badru ‘Alayna, and a new song Wind East and West.
did any1 see that documentary thing about yusuf islam and how he converted to islam! it was great!