Words matter. These are the best Cat Stevens Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
My imam at the Central Mosque said there was no problem with making music. In fact, he encouraged me – he said if the songs are moral, not offensive, then go ahead.
Businesswomen are fine. But they shouldn’t be forced to pay for the raising of the family. It’s the husband’s job. That’s the way I see it.
In the early days I had a very black-and-white view of everything. I think that’s kind of natural for anyone who’s just embraced Islam – or any religion – as a convert. It was important for me to duck out of the fast and furious life I’d been living as a pop star. I was in a different mood.
There was no division I could see between the essential teaching of all Prophets and wise men of religion.
I became alienated from this religious upbringing, and started making music. I wanted to be a big star. All those things I saw in the films and on the media took hold of me, and perhaps I thought this was my god: the goal of making money.
The private little world that I create with my music is something that most people like to listen to alone and get into.
They have hijacked my religion.
The theatre is a world in itself. The possibility for creating experiences that move people is increased many times over. In the end, the best stories are usually about a battle of good over evil – that has never changed.
In music, you can use metaphors with ease – if a person doesn’t understand the parable, they can still enjoy the melody of the music. If, however, a person reads a book and misses the meaning of its metaphors, this will be extremely disheartening for both the reader as well as the author.
I’m a little bit out of it, I suppose; I’m more of the golden oldie type.
I used to be followed by a moon shadow. Now I’m followed by all these misconceptions, and they’re like a ball and chain. I just want to write music from my heart and give people a message of hope and the search for a better place.
A lot of people would have loved me to keep singing… You come to a point where you have sung, more or less… your whole repertoire and you want to get down to the job of living.
My whole aim in whatever I say, whatever I do, is to follow the peaceful line of having people live together… If we can all play in that game, the world will be a better place.
In those days a concert was a personal experience. I wanted to be as close as possible to the audience, and of course big stadiums didn’t enable you to do that. It wasn’t my style.
Man is created to be God’s deputy on earth and it is important to realize the obligation to rid ourselves of all illusions and to make our lives a preparation for the next life.
I became alienated from this religious upbringing, and started making music. I wanted to be a big star. All those things I saw in the films and on the media took hold of me, and perhaps I thought this was my god: the goal of making money.
Communal well-being is central to human life.
‘Peace Train’ is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions. There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again.
I had to learn my faith and look after my family, and I had to make priorities. But now I’ve done it all and there’s a little space for me to fill in the universe of music again.
I had to learn my faith and look after my family, and I had to make priorities. But now I’ve done it all and there’s a little space for me to fill in the universe of music again.
My career is there for everyone to see and delve into.
I became very famous, as a teenager, and my name and photo were splashed in all the media. They made me larger than life, so I wanted to live larger than life, and the only way to do that was to be intoxicated.
All things can be forgiven if we can progress.
I became very famous, as a teenager, and my name and photo were splashed in all the media. They made me larger than life, so I wanted to live larger than life, and the only way to do that was to be intoxicated.
I was brought up in the modern world of all the luxury and the highlight of show business. I was born into a Christian home.
All things can be forgiven if we can progress.
Music can be healing, and with my history and my knowledge of both sides of what looks like a gigantic divide in the world, I feel I can point a way forward to our common humanity again.
The fact that the Prophet cared for every human being and tried his best to ensure their security in the hereafter must be the most telling of his compassionate and merciful characteristics.
The fact that the Prophet cared for every human being and tried his best to ensure their security in the hereafter must be the most telling of his compassionate and merciful characteristics.
In a World where people are surrounded by darkness, ignorance and fear, it is a sign of hope to be celebrating Islam’s message of peace and light, and the last great Messenger, born and chosen to deliver them to all mankind.
If you want to sing out, sing out, and if you want to be free, be free, cause there’s a million ways to be, you know that there are.
Music is part of God’s universe.
Because I don’t play guitar any more, African harmonies and rhythms have been an inspiration to me. I love the raw origin of the sound. It complements my voice and words naturally.
One song I do is ‘The First Cut is the Deepest.’ I try to remind people I wrote that song, not Rod Stewart.
The greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the longest period without limit to value. No one but the Prophet Muhammad was given that role as the seal of God’s message.
A lot of people would have loved me to keep singing… You come to a point where you have sung, more or less… your whole repertoire and you want to get down to the job of living.
Maybe some people may have thought or imagined that Islam drains all creativity. In fact, when you look at history, you discover that the golden age of Spain is what actually produced what we call the guitar.
The very first lesson that I learnt from the Qur’an was the message of unity and peace.
Man is created to be God’s deputy on earth and it is important to realize the obligation to rid ourselves of all illusions and to make our lives a preparation for the next life.
It is part of my faith as a Muslim to try to help those who are suffering from poverty or economic or political injustice.
I became a vegetarian, and I carried around a suitcase full of vitamins and special drinks everywhere I went.
The private little world that I create with my music is something that most people like to listen to alone and get into.
This is the beauty of the Qur’an: it asks you to reflect and reason, and not to worship the sun or moon but the One who has created everything. The Qur’an asks man to reflect upon the sun and moon and God’s creation in general.
The greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the longest period without limit to value. No one but the Prophet Muhammad was given that role as the seal of God’s message.
I’ve returned to being an amateur without any ties or strings attached, which gives me a freedom I never had before.
Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about Islam.
The words of the songs speak for themselves.
There is a social need within our lives as human beings to have harmony.
I’m a little bit out of it, I suppose; I’m more of the golden oldie type.
Some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of context.
I wouldn’t be writing songs if I didn’t have something to say.
When many astronauts go to space, they see the insignificant size of the earth and vastness of space, and they become very religious, because they have seen the Signs of Allah.
I became a vegetarian, and I carried around a suitcase full of vitamins and special drinks everywhere I went.
I suppose that the media and their portrayal of Islam and the almost tribal separations and divisions of the Muslims are the greatest issues confronting Muslims in the United Kingdom.
There are certain comforts of living here in Dubai, the comforts of so many mosques and so much good food… It’s just that much more secure. And may God keep it safe.
Music is a lady that I still love because she gives me the air that I breathe. We need all sorts of nourishment. And music satisfies and nourishes the hunger within ourselves for connection and harmony.
People who want to remember me as Cat Stevens – welcome. Those who want me as Yusuf, you’re here.
Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about Islam.
One song I do is ‘The First Cut is the Deepest.’ I try to remind people I wrote that song, not Rod Stewart.
It’s very difficult to ignore humanitarian disasters. The royalties from my albums continue to support my charity work.
When many astronauts go to space, they see the insignificant size of the earth and vastness of space, and they become very religious, because they have seen the Signs of Allah.
I don’t like applause, I must admit. Ultimately, artists are shy creatures; they’re introverts.
I suppose that by being absent from the music business, it appeared that I just dropped out, but really I never did. I was continuously working and doing various things.
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