The relationship between Islam and Music - as examplified by Yusuf Islam

“ at no time was there ever an ultimatum for me to have to choose between music or Islam.”

- Yusuf Islam

The relationship between Islam and Music - as examplified by Yusuf Islam

A review of Music a question of faith or Da'wah by Yusuf Islam

The relationship between Islam and Music - as examplified by Yusuf Islam

By Jan Freidun Taravosh December 5-6th 2009

Introduction:

Established media created big Headlines when Yusuf Islam (who embraced Islam publicly in 1977) decided to suspend his activities within the commersial music buisness in 1978. 

Since his exit from the Pop Scene, Yusuf Islam has been an advocate for peace and understanding and he has also been comitted to providing people with a broader insight on questions of life in general and spirituality in particular through his foundation Mountain of Light.

Yusuf Islam sorts out a common misunderstanding

It was on this wondeful web site I found the amazing article "Music a Question of Faith or Da'wah" were the Honorable Mr. Yusuf Islam explains a common misunderstanding concerning why he left the Pop Scene - which as Yusuf explains had less to do with music per se than the actual negative sides of the music buisness - i.e the exploitive nature of the music industry.

"When I embraced Islam in 1977 I was still making records and performing. The chief Imam 1 in the 

London Central Mosque encouraged me to continue my profession of composing and recording; at 

no time was there ever an ultimatum for me to have to choose between music or Islam. Nevertheless, 

there were lots of things about the music industry which contravened the Islamic way of life and I 

was new to the faith, so I simply decided myself to give up the music business. This helped me to 

concentrate fully on learning and practising Islam - the five pillars - and striving to get close to Allah 

through my knowledge and worship. "

It is also, important to note that in the following years Yusuf became a family man, and spent his time committed his family as well as educating children. During this he also came to play an active in the founding of a new school in London, as well as other charitable causes. in his article  he explains that: 

"It’s true that I have gradually softened my objections to the use of music and songs over the years, 

and there are good reasons. Since the genocide against Bosnia in 1992, I learnt how important 

motivational songs are in keeping people’s spirits high during times of great calamity. One of the 

things that changed me greatly was listening to the cassettes coming out of the Balkans at that time; 

these were rich and highly motivating songs (nasheeds), inspiring the Bosnians with the religious 

spirit of faith and sacrifice." 

 many of Yusuf's Nasheeds are also considered a prominent tool for educating and motivating children with recordings such as "A is for Allah" or "I Look I See" Through Mountain of Light Yusuf Islam has also overseen the production of records and books such as "The Life of The Last Prophet and "Prayers of the Last Prophet" projects which have opened the eyes and ears of people within the Muslim world and beyond by providing a simple undestanding of the basic concepts of Islamic Thought.

Furthermore Yusuf Islam points out on the relation between music and Faith 

"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?"

The word music never appears in the Qu’ran

 

Yusuf Islam is often questioned about the relation between Islam and Music upon which he is quick to sort out that common misunderstanding that music in it self is forbidden according to Islamic thought by explaining how the word “music” in itself is never mentioned in the Qu’ran.

In his article Music a question of faith, the author also gives an interesting viewpoint of Music in the Islamic Republic of Iran

interestingly, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the ‘Ulema have recently decided that the songs I sang 

as Cat Stevens provides a good example for the youth, to show that there are positive aspects to some 

music and art. 8  Maybe the ‘Ulema in other countries should take a closer look at what’s happening 

to their youth, before the gulf between them becomes irreparable and too wide to bridge. We must be 

able to provide an Islamic alternative.

in connection to the above Yusuf also underlines his understanding of Islam and his personal view of Music as a good means of communication. This is he describes well in the aforementioned article and without much difficulty he explains: 

“After having discovered Islam through a complex maze of different spiritual paths and religions, my 

commitment is to share this treasure of knowledge and understanding of tawheed with others; this I 

consider a Fard (obligation) upon me. That is why I am trying my best to reach out to people, who 

have many misconceptions about Islam” 

 

In all honesty “ Music a Question of Faith or Da’wah” remains a most, enlightening and delightful read, as an article it deals with one of the most frequently debated and misunderstood topics in the feild of Islamology. It can be downloaded for free through the facilitation of Mountain of Light and I warmly recommend it to anyone.