The famous British singer Cat Stevens left the world of music and rock after embracing Islam, changing his name to Yusuf Islam. Today, at the age of 77, he shares his life story and deep search for meaning and faith in a new autobiography, as reported by The New York Times.
Music writer and composer Grayson Currin conducted a filmed interview with Yusuf Islam ahead of the book’s release on October 7, exploring his transformation from global superstardom to a life devoted to faith, humanitarian causes, and selective artistic expression.
A Journey from Fame to Faith
In their conversation, Islam retraced his long journey — from the heights of international fame to abandoning music and dedicating himself to humanitarian and religious causes. His memoirs, the writer found, reveal the profound evolution of his character, shedding light on personal struggles, spiritual turning points, and his enduring commitment to Islam.
Yusuf Islam spoke candidly about near-death experiences that shaped his path: slipping from a rooftop in his youth, being diagnosed with tuberculosis at the height of his early fame, and nearly drowning in the Pacific Ocean in 1975.
During that final experience, as he was dragged out to sea by the current, he felt powerless before death. Looking to the sky, he prayed with sincerity: if God saved him, he would devote his life to Him. A powerful wave pushed him safely ashore, and from that moment his life’s direction changed.
“The first spiritual book I ever read was The Secret Path. And in the Qur’an, the very first words you encounter are: ‘Guide us to the Straight Path.’”
Finding Islam
His journey for answers led him through Buddhist texts and yoga, yet true clarity came when his brother David gifted him a Qur’an obtained from Al-Aqsa Mosque. Reading the opening pages, Yusuf felt he had finally discovered the path to fulfil the promise he made at sea.
He embraced Islam in 1977, legally changing his name to Yusuf Islam in 1978. Soon after, he left the world of rock music, selling most of his instruments — a shocking move for fans and fellow musicians in the West.
“I used to close my hotel room door between shows and read the Qur’an,” he recalled. Laughing, he added: “The first spiritual book I read was The Secret Path, and in the Qur’an the first words I read were: ‘Guide us to the Straight Path.’”
For him, life’s crooked roads were all leading towards something higher. “I will keep walking,” he affirmed.
After 35 years of contemplating his story, Yusuf decided to publish his memoirs under the title Cat on the Path of Discovery.
Gaza and the Global Conscience
In the interview, Yusuf Islam described what is happening in Gaza as a defining moment and a test for the world’s conscience. He stressed that the younger generation, witnessing this destruction, will never forget it — Gaza will leave a lasting mark on global awareness.
He also acknowledged the personal cost of his outspoken support for Palestine. In 1988, he was accused of supporting Hamas, which caused difficulties in obtaining U.S. visas until 2006. In 2004, he was even deported from the U.S. after refusing to meet President George W. Bush following the invasion of Iraq.
Since his conversion, Yusuf Islam — once described as a “rock icon” — has engaged in educational and charitable efforts to support Muslim children in Britain and to champion the Palestinian cause.
From Rock Music to Nasheeds
After becoming Muslim, Yusuf cautiously returned to music with a focus on nasheeds and children’s Islamic content, often using only percussion. He founded a company, Mountain of Light, producing faith-based albums in English.
One of his most notable works was the album The Life of the Last Prophet, which gained wide popularity across the Muslim world. He also produced the nasheed I Look, I See to help children learn about Islam.
His gradual return to instruments came when his son Muhammad secretly bought a guitar during university. Discovering it, Yusuf picked it up and began writing songs again after nearly three decades of absence. This was not a nostalgic return, he explained, but an expression of a new understanding of religion and art.
Exploring different Islamic scholarly opinions on music, he found a space that allowed him to sing without compromising his faith.
Music, Faith, and Truth
Reflecting on his journey, Yusuf said he had once sought answers to existential questions through music, but after finding Islam, he no longer needed songs to fill that void. Instead, Islam gave him firm spiritual foundations and a greater confidence to speak truth.
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Source: The New York Times
